Book 1 Chapter 9

                                                    II                                                 

      (Book 1 / Part 2 / Chapter 9)         

                                                                            2:30      

        

                          

HIGH DESERT SKY       

                                 

           Well, I'm back from my second big break of the day.  I first went pee and then ran up to the front yard to visit Daisy, who reminded me that in my big writing project it's "Progress over  Perfection."  I pulled out all of my hidden materials and now can finish or continue my work.      

            This will be the beginning of the third and final Part of my first book.  Dais was also kind of surprised too that Mr. Steve hasn't even given us at least one snack today.  But like she says,    he's probably really busy today; either calling his customers or doing one of his art projects.        

            I again told Dais how the day's going, and she's still amazed at what I've accomplished in about eight hours.  We were remembering last night looking up at the sky, which made us feel so tiny in size way down here.  I'd say it's about two thirty judging by all of the shadows.                              

                JUPITER                                   EDITH HAMILTON (1867-1963)     

         

          Well, I'll just say a quick prayer and start again.   For some reason looking at the high sky makes me think of that ancient Roman "King of the Gods" named "Jupiter," part of what the    Romans called the "Triad of Gods."  Dais says that lady Edith Hamilton wrote about them.         

         In 1985, an Italian Tour Guide told the group about "Juniper," "Juno" and "Minerva."  This Encyclopedia says in the city of Rome, those three Gods were worshiped in an area called      the "Capitoline" hill; which my boss saw.  Libby's scent just floated in from my right.                   

          The "Deity" Jupiter, known to the ancient Greeks as "Zeus;" was like the Vikings "God of Thunder" named "Thor."  And I guess, one of his Jupiter's symbols was the Eagle; which came    to symbolize the big Roman Empire itself.  A Train whistled faintly over there to my left.                        

                          BALD EAGLE                                                                 HAWK                                                                   

      

          It says here Jupiter, like Zeus; had two brothers.  One was "Neptune," the other "Pluto;" or "Poseidon" and "Hades" to the Greeks.  Miss Susan says there used to some Eagles living in    our area, or in the mountains; but not anymore.  We still do have some Hawks though.                  

        In both ancient Greece, and later Roman culture; there were believed to have been three "Realms."  And those three realms were the "Universe, "Sky" and "Water."  From what it says  here, each one of the three divine brothers "ruled over" each of those three different realms.        

         Oh what the heck, I might as well and go ahead and write about that Planet Jupiter now.  It's the fifth Planet from the Sun in our Solar System, is made up mainly of gas; and of course is  named after that one Roman God.  This Encyclopedia describes it as being a "Gas Giant."                        

                        "SOLAR SYSTEM"                                     "JUPITER" VERSUS EARTH IN SIZE              

         Wow!  A painting shows in "Scale" how tiny the Earth is compared to Jupiter, which the caption calls the "largest" Planet in our Solar System.  It looks like all eight Planets are kind of close to each other but Dais heard Mars is one hundred and forty million miles from Earth.        

          I wonder if my boss knows this?  It says here Scientists say, in the area on Jupiter called the "Red Spot;" the winds go "six hundred miles per hour" and this storm has been going on for over three and a half centuries.  We at times have really strong winds here in Piñon Hills.             

           Jupiter "rotates on its axis" once every ten hours, so is the Planet with the "shortest day."  Our year is short, while it takes Jupiter eleven years to "Orbit" around the Sun.   Wow!  Three "Earth-sized Planets" could fit in Jupiter's Red Spot zone, which looks small from far away.                      

            THOR              

                                         

        My Encyclopedia says Vikings thought of the Planet Jupiter as "representing" their God "Thor."  Like Rome's Jupiter; Thor was thought by Vikings to control "thunder and lightning."   Oh wow!  Today's "Thursday," and it says here how that name is based on Thor's name.             

          I guess the ancient "Mesopotamian's" saw Jupiter, the fourth brightest thing in the night sky; as their God "Marduk."  Marduk was the "patron deity" of that one famous ancient city of "Babylon."  Daisy heard only the Sun, Moon and Venus are brighter from way down here.           

          Anyway, I'll write more about the different Planets in our Solar System in my three books.  Mr. Steve is interested in that subject so I want to learn about things he likes.  I don't know why but for some reason I'm still thinking about the years leading up to the American Civil War.        

                              

   "CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION"

(PHILADELPHIA / 1787)       

           PAINTING BY HOWARD CHANDLER CHRISTY             

            

          What the heck!   Even though it's not on my outline right here I feel like writing about how, from the beginning of the U.S. in the late 18th century; there had been big disagreements      over "Slavery."  Even at that "Constitutional Convention" in 1787 some wanted slavery.              

            It was a "Confederation" of  thirteen States who broke away from England.  When they thought of becoming a "Country," the northern States didn't want Slavery; while those in the south did.  But, that didn't mean northern white people wanted black people around I guess.       

            America "Expanded" westward in the first half of the 19th century, and every time a new State was added the issue of slavery came up.  As each new area came into the U.S., it had to be    decided whether it  would be a "Slave" or "Free" State.  I can smell some old Mesquite.                                                             

                  SOUTHERN "PLANTATION"                           

                                                                           

           In the southern "Antebellum" States Slaves did all the hard work at those "Plantations."  I guess, according to what it says in this Latin Dictionary; Antebellum means "Before the War."  Alpha Company of Quail are all streaming underneath Moe the middle Shed right now.                

          The cotton grown on the Plantations, in the first half of the 19th century; was mainly sold to England.  Their factories then used "Machines" to make clothes and things like that.  As I've  mentioned before, what's now called the "Industrial Revolution" began in the late 1700s.             

         Boy!  I'm tempted to write about that guy John Brown, who I've mentioned before.  But, I'd better just wait and do it according to the outlines Daisy and I put together.  As I mentioned    in chapter eight, he's associated with "Bloody Kansas" and a place called "Harper's Ferry."                                      

   THOMAS JEFFERSON (1743-1826)         

PAINTING BY REMBRANDT PEALE                  

                         

        Thomas Jefferson and George Washington from "Virginia" were "Founding Fathers." They helped form the "United States" after those original thirteen Colonies broke away from      England in the Revolutionary War.   I can smell the new baby Cholla cactus over there.                

     When those thirteen colonies left England Thomas Jefferson wrote the "Declaration of Independence."  Like Benjamin Franklin, he was a Scientist and Inventor.  Goliath the Gopher    Snake crawled into the desert through the right gate slot and Andy watched him closely.              

           Dais told me a tv show about the Civil War said, even though most northern people didn't like Slavery, they didn't want blacks to move near them.  I've mentioned how Thomas Jefferson and Abraham Lincoln hoped to send all of the black people back to Africa.  I smell Creosote.                            

   ABRAHAM LINCOLN (1809-1865) WITH FAMILY         

                               

          This Encyclopedia says Abraham Lincoln was from the State of "Illinois," and in 1860 when he became President was only against slavery's "Expansion."  But, that one first group of    southern States left anyway.  A Motorcycle went zooming bye out there on Primavera Road.         

            Abraham Lincoln was a "Republican;" until 1854 called the "Whigs."  Dais says the tv show said one reason Lincoln won was because the northern and southern "Democrats" were      too "divided."  Frida and Diego the Bluebirds just flew bye going toward the northeast.                

           Daisy heard Mr. Steve tell his mom people tried to kill Abraham Lincoln on his Train trip from Illinois to Washington D.C. in early 1861.  It says here how this Scottish man named Allan   Pinkerton protecting Lincoln.  He "tricked" the assassins in the city of Baltimore Dais said.                                                

     ALLAN PINKERTON (1818-1884) ON LEFT       

                              

            A picture shows Allan Pinkerton with President Lincoln during the Civil War.   You can really tell how much taller President Lincoln was compared to other people back in those days.    Boy!  I'd definitely wear a tall hat like the one Abraham Lincoln is wearing in the photo.              

          It says here,  after the Civil War ended in 1865; Allan Pinkerton started what's called a "Detective Agency."  The logo has an eye on it, and Daisy heard Mr. Steve tell his brother Sam      that's where the term "Private Eye" came from.  Their motto was, "We Never Sleep."                 

         During the Civil War Allan Pinkerton "gathered intelligence" for the Union Generals.  I guess, he's now known for being good at "acquiring" information; but bad at "interpreting" it.   Oh!  Blackbeard and Anne Bonny are chasing a Crow, which could be another boy Crow.            

                   

                               CIVIL WAR "BURIAL DETAIL"                                  

                                                                           

             I just thought of how President Lincoln's wife Mary's family, who owned Slaves and fought in the Rebel armies; was from "Kentucky."  A picture shows black guys "reburying" dead Union Soldiers that have already turned into skeletons.  I can smell Libby over there. 

            Maryland, Delaware, Kentucky and Missouri, even though they kept Slaves; decided to stay in the U.S. when the Civil War broke out back in 1861.  Dais says Mr. Steve has been to St. Louis in Missouri.  One time he talked about that trip with his sister Susan in Connecticut. 

            When President Lincoln "freed" the Slaves in 1862, the second year of the Civil War; it only applied to the eleven "Rebellious" States and not those four Slave States who never left the Union.  They had to give up their Slaves only in the years after the end of the Civil War.  

                         

               ROBERT E. LEE  (1807-1870)                                          TRAVELER

                                                                                                                                                                                        

            When Abraham Lincoln was elected President at the end of 1860, many of the southern Slave States immediately "Seceded."  And that basically means they didn't want to be part of the U.S. anymore.  Instead, they preferred to be their own "Independent" country; or "Nation."  

            I like the painted photograph of Robert E. Lee sitting on his boy Horse "Traveller."  I've  mentioned before how U.S.C.'s all white Horse Mascot is named "Traveler," but spelled with one "l'.  I see Libby over there to my right walking around slowly near the back of her Corral.   

            After Fort Sumter surrendered in April of 1861 and President Lincoln called for an army to to raised "Hostilities" began.  Then a second group of Slave States left the Union, "Virginia" being one of them.  Robert E. Lee was "more loyal to Virginia" than the U.S. it says here.   

          

                                                          "FORT SUMTER" SHELLED    

                                                   ("CHARESTON," SOUTH CAROLINA / APRIL, 1861)

   ARTWORK BY CURRIER & IVES      

                  

                I guess, President Lincoln wanted the South to start the war by firing the first shot, which is exactly what happened when South Carolina units "shelled" U.S. property.   That's what Fort Sumter out there in the Charleston Harbor was considered.  Two of the Pigeons are flying bye.    

           Over the next three days I'll learn about people who were linked together in history, like Robert E. Lee and Ulysses S. Grant; or Adolph Hitler and Franklin Roosevelt.  Queen Elizabeth I and Sir Francis Drake, in the late 16th century;  are associated.  Heathcliff just crowed.

           Those Boxers Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier are now almost thought of as being "tied together in history my boss told his dad.  I'll learn about them in my books.  Franklin Roosevelt and Adolph Hitler both came to power in 1933, the year after my boss's father was born.

                                          

      STALIN /  ROOSEVELT / CHURCHILL          

          ("TEHRAN" CONFERENCE / 1943)                 

                         

           Actually, three men were connected during World War II, "President" Roosevelt, "Prime Minister" Churchill and "Premier" Stalin.  "Politically," they were "World's Apart" as that old saying goes.  But, they were "Unified" in fighting Hitler, Mussolini; and the Japanese too.

           My Encyclopedia says at the beginning of the American Civil War, for two years in the "Eastern Theater;" Robert E. Lee beat four Union Generals "sent against him."  Out in the the "Western Theater," near the Mississippi River; Grant did well.   A Train whistled faintly.  

            By late 1863 President Lincoln was really worried so ordered General Grant to come east and try to beat Robert E. Lee.  It says here, in 1864 and until April of 1865; their armies met in "epic" land battles in Virginia.  Tomorrow I'll learn  in more detail about the Civil War.  

                      

                   AMERICAN CIVIL WAR (1861-1865)                  

       

              I love maps!  A good one shows the overall "Strategy" of each side during the Civil War, and another one has little red stars where all of the big battles were fought.  Boy!  Daisy's told me a few times how Mr. Steve likes maps, and now I'm really beginning to understand why.   

                   The Civil War map shows what each side was trying to do, and arrows in blue represent the North; while the red arrows show what the South's strategy was.  Goliath the Gopher Snake crawled back into the desert.  He went through the left vertical slot on the side of the gate.  

            Andy's sniffing the air over there, guarding the entrance to he and Helen's burrow.  The new Spring babies are probably down there sleeping soundly right next to their mom.  I can tell by how he now looks that Andy just picked up the scent Goliath left behind when he left.    

                 WILLIAM T. SHERMAN (1820-1891)    ULYSSES S. GRANT (1822-1885)

   

             General Grant's good friend was that guy William Tecumseh Sherman was also a good General in the Union Army.  He helped Grant take the Mississippi River in the Western Theater,  then went to fight in Georgia as Grant faced Robert E. Lee up in Virginia.  I smell Andy.

             Oh!  Alpha Company is going up to the front yard but, all the food Mr. Steve puts out for Birds is probably eaten by this time in the afternoon.  They'll teach the babies how to scratch in dirt to maybe get lucky and find a buried seed.  Andy's looking at me over here on Elvira.

             Because of how good he did "Out West," in 1863 Grant was "Promoted" by President Lincoln; who was desperate.  He gave Grant "Overall" command of all the Union forces, which Daisy heard made some other Union Generals really jealous.   A Crow just cawed faintly. 

           

  CIVIL WAR "CONFEDERATE" PRISONERS         

         

           This Encyclopedia says, when General Grant "assumed" overall command of the Union Army; he stopped "exchanging" prisoners.  He knew the South had only so many men "able" to even fight for the Confederacy.  I guess "P.O.W." is just short for "Prisoner of War."

           My right nostril just picked up Libby's scent from over there in her Corral.  Oh!  Cher the Cat is sitting on top of Manny the far right Shed eating a Mouse; which suddenly makes me kind hungry.  Boy!  I can't wait to see what we get for dinner, and I know Dais is hungry too. 

           In books two and three I'll write about the two 20th century "World Wars."  I'll also learn about the 1918 "Treaty of Versailles," which ended the First World War; and the years "Between the Wars."  The terrible 1930's "Great Depression" followed those good "Roaring" 1920's.

        

                                                            FRANZ FERDINAND   

          

                 I just thought about a Scottish band Daisy told me about called FRANZ FERDINAND.  One time in Mr. Steve's bedroom she and that other Dog Millie saw a good "Video" of their song called "Take Me Out."  There are two crisscrossed vapor trails extending slowly in the sky.

            My favorite band will always be DEVO, but Daisy thinks I'd like FRANZ FERDINAND.  Mr. Steve called their Take Me Out Video "clever" and "quirky." Parts remind him of the 1960's "Psychedelic" BEATLES images, "Surrealistic Dada;" and also Soviet "Propaganda" art.  

           A Scottish girl told my boss FRANZ FERDINAND got their named from the Race Horse "Archduke Ferdinand."  In my books I'll learn about the Art movement called "Dada," which Mr. Steve's mom studied.  The girl thought FRANZ FERDINAND "fancied Monty Python."  

         

                                ARCHDUKE FRANZ FERDINAND AND WIFE KILLED 

                                                       ( SARAJEVO, SERBIA / JUNE 28, 1914)

PAINTING BY ACHILLE BELTRAME    

     

                My Encyclopedia says World War I began in 1914, the same year Grandma Trujillo was born.  I guess, a "Serbian" man named Gavrilo Princip assassinated the "heir to the throne" of "Austria-Hungary;" called the "Archduke."  His name was Franz Ferdinand it says here.

            Not only did that guy Gavrilo Princip kill the "Archduke," he killed his wife too.  I guess, before the Archduke and his wife were "shot;" the Archduke had already "batted away" a bomb intended to kill him.   A flock of Birds high up there in the sky are moving toward the east.

            A tv show Daisy and Millie saw one time said the killing of the Archduke "triggered" a "domino effect" where countries had to "honor alliances."  What came after that turned out to be the biggest war ever, until World War II that is.  I smell Libby over there in her Corral.   

                   

  FRANZ FERDINAND / WIFE        GAVRILO PRINCIP (1894-1918)        

(1863-1914)                                                                                             

                   

            The caption below a picture says it shows the Archduke and his wife just before they got killed by that Serbian guy Gavrilo Princip.  The man on the tv show said Gavrilo Princip "died    in prison" four years later.  Oh wow!  Franz Ferdinand's last words were, "It is nothing."             

            Mr. Steve's father gave him books about the two 20th century World Wars.  Boy!  I'm so glad we're not in a war right now.  Daisy says some people think someday there will be a big civil war right here in America, between "Left Wing" Liberals and "Right Wing" Conservatives.        

            In both world wars the Germans fought the Russians so the idea of Germany fighting a "Two Front" war is really important.  In World War II Stalin had the "advantage of numbers"    in being able to lose way more men in one of those "Wars of Attrition."  Heathcliff crowed.           

                                                              VLADIMIR LENIN (1870-1924)             JOSEPH STALIN (1878-1953)                            

                                                                          

             Mr. Steve thinks Joseph Stalin, who didn't care about the lives of Soldiers; learned to be "ruthless" from that other guy Vladimir Lenin.  From 1941 through 1945, in the Second World War; the Germans killed over twenty five million Russians I guess.  A Crow is squawking.

             I guess, my boss once met an older man from the "Ukraine;" who said at times in World War I the Russians didn't have enough weapons.  So the Officers told the men to simply pick up and use the rifles of their dead "Comrades." Now two Crows are fighting out in the desert. 

            Daisy says a tv show said Joseph Stalin seldom laughed.  But he chuckled when someone joked in the Soviet army it was "more dangerous to retreat than move forward."  That's because behind the Russian Soldiers were always men whose job it was to kill anyone who retreated.     

    

                                                                                           "MG-42" MACHINE GUN     

   

            In my books I'll learn about the history of "Guns."  Nazi Germany developed many guns during World War II but the "Mg-42" Machine Gun" was the one the Allied Soldiers feared the most.  It could shoot twelve hundred times in one minute and made this "terrifying" sound.

            A man once told my boss Russian Soldiers also "feared" the Mg-42, which the British and Americans came to call "Hitler's Buzzsaw."  This one Encyclopedia says how MG-42 is short for "Maschinengewehr 42."  My German Dictionary says that means, "Machine Gun 42." 

           Daisy told me Mr. Steve's friend Mark Ritter who died knew a lot about Machine Guns.  He once described the Mg-42 as having good "knock down or stopping power," and was good at "suppressing fire."  Frida and Diego the Bluebirds are flying bye right now, going east.

              

                                                      "BATTLE OF KURSK" (1943)

                                                                                                      

             That 1943 "Battle of Kursk," between Hitler's "Nazi" Germany and Stalin's "Soviet" Russia; was the largest battle ever fought.  The Germans used that Dive Bomber nicknamed the "Stuka."  My German Dictionary says "Sturzkampfflugzeug" means a "Dive Bomber." 

            Just like the sound of the MG-42 was intimidating, so was the sound of the siren mounted under a Stuka.  When it dove down toward those on the ground it was loud, and a Polish girl said her parents later had Nightmares about the scary sound.   A Train just whistled faintly.

            In World War II Germany had about seven million Soldiers but, the Soviet Union could  "Muster" or assemble twenty million men.  Germany killed about twenty seven million Russians from 1941 through 1945 and sixteen million of those were "Civilians."  A Lizard ran bye. 

  

                                                        HEINZ GUDERIAN (1888-1954)

 

           Daisy saw a tv show about a German General named Heinz Guderian, the "Father of the Blitzkrieg."   He said fighting Russia was like "an Elephant attacking an Ant hill," the Elephant kills millions of Ants but, more Ants keep coming.  Finally, the Elephant dies from the stings.   

           Oh!  What a coincidence that I see a a line of Ants down there on the Patio floor, on the other side of the coffee table Miss Emily gave my boss.  They kind of look like a marching army. Hey God!  Thank You for helping me down here, because I think I feel You watching me. 

            Germany attacked Russia on June 22, 1941, and by that December had killed or captured about six million Soviet Soldiers.  By early in 1941, using "Blitzkrieg" tactics; Hitler had already conquered most of Europe except England.   Donald and Daisy are quacking over there. 

                                                                                 "BLITZKRIEG"  ("RUSSIAN FRONT")                                  

              

           In book three on Saturday I'll write about the country of "Poland" and one of the things I'll learn about is World War II.  Mr. Steve's dad thinks Poland, like ancient Israel; was "very unlucky" in being located right in between two powerful Empires.  I can smell Mesquite.

           Mr. Steve and his dad both think one of Adolph Hitler's biggest "blunders" in World War II was attacking the Soviet Union.  Up until 1941, Germany and Russia were "Allies;" but Hitler made the same exact mistake Napoléon did in the early 19th century.  I'm so glad it's Spring.  

           As I've said before, the U.S. came into World War II because "Imperial" Japan, Germany and Italy's ally; surprise attacked us in December of 1941 at "Pearl Harbor" in Hawaii.  By then the war had been going on for about three years already.  That Dragonfly zoomed bye.    

        

                                           "PEARL HARBOR" (DECEMBER 7, 1941)    

        

              President Roosevelt called December 7, 1941, when Japan surprise attacked the U.S.; a day that would "live in infamy."   By December 1941 the German army, or "Wehrmacht;" was "Closing in On" the Russian city of Moscow.  I see a white vapor trail up there in the sky. 

              According to my German Dictionary Wehrmacht means "Armed Forces," which is what the German military was called under Hitler's Nazis.  Before that I guess the armies were called the "Reichswehr."  Some Ducks are quacking but, as usual; Daffy's voice is way louder.       

             Much of the "U.S. Pacific Ocean Fleet" was "Sunk or Damaged" at Pearl Harbor on that one Sunday morning in 1941.  Mr. Steve's father was nine years old and his mom was six.  There were no tv's back then so many people heard news of the surprise attack on their Radios.        

                     

         CHARLES LINDBERGH (1902-1974)            JOSEPH KENNEDY (1888-1969)

          

             My Encyclopedia says right up until December of 1941 many Americans didn't want to fight in World War II.  But after that most people "changed their minds."  Mr. Steve's dad thinks it was mainly the Second World War that finally got the U.S. economy out of the depression. 

            On Saturday in book three I'll write about these Americans called "Isolationists" who in 1941 said, "America First."  They didn't want the United States to enter the war and two of them were that famous Pilot Charles Lindbergh and Joseph Kennedy Sr.   A Crow just cawed.

            Rudy the Roadrunner ran bye out there in the desert, right behind the Sheds; and I saw how he has a dead Snake in his mouth.  It looks dead already so he won't need to body slam it to the ground the way Roadrunners so often do.  I smell the baby Cholla cactus over there.

                      

        ADMIRAL ISOROKU YAMAMOTO (1884-1943)        

           

             This morning I wrote a little bit about that guy Admiral Yamamoto, who "Planned" the surprise attack on Pearl Harbor; but we killed in 1943.   Fannie and Freddie are sitting on a tall Joshua tree which is just behind Moe the middle Shed.  They're talking to each other as usual.

              I guess Admiral Yamamoto, before Pearl Harbor; said he could guarantee six months of "free reign" before the "industrial might" of the U.S. would "come into play." But, after Pearl Harbor he said he feared they "woke up a sleeping giant."  He turned out to be right on that.

             Attacking the Soviet Union turned out to be one of Adolph Hitler's biggest mistakes.  Hey God!  As You know, in my books I'll write more about how some people think You caused that guy Hitler to sometimes have really bad judgement.  I can smell Theodora's Creosote bush.

                                                                                        NAPOLÉON'S "RETREAT FROM RUSSIA" (1812)                             

PAINTING BY ERNEST MEISSONIER

  

             I guess, in 1941 Hitler made the exact same mistake Napoléon made in 1812; when his "Grande Arme" attacked "Czarist" Russian.  Napoléon hoped to force Russia to stop "Trading" with his biggest enemy England, but it turned out to be a total disaster.  Dawn's barking.

            Wow!  This Encyclopedia says in 1812 Napoléon attacked Russia with an army of almost 600,000 men.  And just like Hitler a century later, he did good at first but, then Winter "set in" so he had to make a "nightmarish" retreat.  Boy!  Only 20,000 made it back to France alive!

            Hey God!  Was it You who caused Napoléon and Hitler to fail the way Dais believes?  She says Mr. Steve thinks 1812 was a very important year because, not only did Napoléon fail to beat Russia; the U.S. began a second war with England.  In that war Washington D.C. was burned.

    

                                                                   WAR OF 1812 (WHITE HOUSE BURNED)

PAINTING BY TOM FREEMAN

  

            That song the "Star Bangled Banner" was written during the War of 1812 from what a tv show Daisy saw said.  I guess, out here in California some big earthquakes damaged the Spanish Missions in 1812.  A small flock of Birds is flying bye way up there in the now high blue sky.

            Mr. Steve's father thinks, as bad as Hitler's decision was to attack the Soviet Union; his "declaring war" on America right after Pearl Harbor was "worse."  It made Winston Churchill so happy.  As they say, Hitler "Sealed his own Fate;" or signed his own "Death Warrant." 

           I guess Hitler was overconfident in 1941 and, also felt obligated to help Japan and Benito Mussolini's Fascist Italy as his "Allies."  He controlled almost all of Europe at the end of 1941. And, Japan not only bombed Pearl Harbor; but conquered a lot of land right after that too.

    

  "ROSIE THE RIVETER"   

      

            That guy Admiral Yamamoto turned out to be right!  Just like in the American Civil War, the "Industrial" Sleeping Giant of the American economy ended up winning the Second World War; in both "Theaters."  President Roosevelt even called it, "The arsenal of Democracy." 

            Mr. Steve and his brothers grew up with this guy named "Tim."  During World War II, because the men were fighting; women came in and did jobs building Planes and things like that.  I guess Tim's mom was one of those and worked at a big Factory in the city of "Burbank."

           Fortunately for us Mr. Steve thinks, we won the biggest war of all time.  Unfortunately for the world, as usual in history; that means to a large extent the U.S. since then can do whatever we want.  America in 2014 is now the most "Affluent" or rich country in all of human history.   

             

    UNITED STATES OF AMERICA       

     

                It's not fair for one Kingdom, Empire or Country to dominate others my boss says, but it's totally normal in history.  The "Haves" always "Exploit" the "Have Nots," and "Might is usually Right."    As his Niece Samantha said that time, "It's not fair that life is not fair."    

            Daisy and I like it when Mr. Steve takes a break from doing yardwork, and sits on Miss Emily's old Coffee Table back here; because then he also pets and hugs us.  Daisy loves to have here stomach and chest rubbed, I prefer my ears massaged.  A Train whistled faintly.

           On very hot Summer days you can't leave even one crumb of food out without those little Grease Ants showing up.   One time the phone was ringing when Mr. Steve got home so he put a Pizza down on the kitchen counter.  When he came back twenty minutes later it was too late.

 

                                                                                                            ANT HILL

            Daisy says, by the time Mr. Steve came back; thousands of Grease Ants were swarming all over the Pizza!  Daisy says our boss was so mad but just let them have it.  He left it there to see how long it would take the Ants to "Disassemble" and take it away "Crumb by Crumb."

            It ended up taking the Ants, who left behind only the meat and a shell from the crust; six hours to eat or carry away most of the Pizza I guess.  Dais one time saw two types of Ants in a big battle that resembled "Hand to Hand" combat.  Dawn's barking over there next door.

           Daisy told me about "Anteaters" and these other things called "Armadillos.  She says that Anteaters have very skinny heads and a really, really long sticky tongue.  They have big claws for digging and then stick their tongues into the Anthill to grab ahold of some Ants to eat!  

                  

                               WORLD WAR II CAPTURED SOVIET SOLDIERS (1941)

          

             Wow!  A picture in this Encyclopedia shows thousands of Soviet prisoners captured on the "Eastern Front."  I guess a Front is kind of like a Theater.  Boy!  The caption says, from June until December of 1941; almost "two million" prisoners were "taken" by the Germans. 

            I've mentioned a few times how, in the Second World War when Hitler's Germany fought the Soviet Union under Joseph Stalin; it was the largest in "Scale" war ever in history.  And the battles were the biggest and bloodiest in all of history too.  A Train just whistled faintly.

            When Hitler's "Nazi" Germany attacked Stalin's "Soviet Union," in June of 1941; three million Germans were involved.  But, the Soviets had even more than that defending their land.  The Germans called that 1941 attack "Operation Barbarosa" and it was "Epic" in size.    

                                                                 

                                                 FREDERICK BARBAROSSA (1122-1190)

           

            This Encyclopedia says Germany's 1941 invasion was named for a 12th century German King named Frederick Barbarossa.  And this one Italian Dictionary says Barbarossa is how you would say "Red Beard."  I guess that guy "Frederick I" was the "Holy Roman Emperor." 

                  It says here King Frederick I was Christian like us, and he led the "Third Crusade" from 1189 through 1192.   He was was a "contemporary" of Richard "The Lionheart" of England who fought "Saladin" over in Jerusalem.  That other guy "Robin Hood" also lived then too.

           I just thought of a 19th century "Outlaw" named Jesse James from "Missouri."   During the Civil War he and his older brother Frank fought for the South, but in the years after his gang robbed Banks, Trains and other things like that.  The four Pigeons are flying bye right now.

    

                                             JESSE JAMES (1847-1882)      FRANK JAMES (1843-1915)

           

             Some say Jesse James was a 19th century Robin Hood, "robbing the rich to give to the poor."  Mr. Steve thinks both probably "robbed people and sometimes helped the poor."  Mr. Bob, who grew up near us but now lives in Missouri; has read about Jesse James Dais says.  

            Mr. Ralph read,  if there was a Robin Hood; he lived in England at the time of King Richard The Lionheart.  But, there was likely never really a person named Robin Hood just like there was probably never a King Arthur; or a place called "Camelot."   Heathcliff crowed.

            In my three long books I'll learn about Russia and, all of a sudden for some reason I just thought of some of the Russian "Czars" in history.  I've mentioned how, the "Title" Czar is what the Russians call "Caesar;" and "Kaiser" is German for that name too.  I smell Mesquite.

                           

         IVAN "THE TERRIBLE"      PETER "THE GREAT"    CATHERINE "THE GREAT"

                             (1530-1584)                               (1672-1725)                                (1729-1796)

                   PAINTING BY VICTOR VASNETSOV                                           PAINTING BY PAUL DELAROCHE                                    PAINTING BY JOHANN BAPTIST LAMPI

         

           Czar Ivan "The Terrible" lived in the 1500's and, like many "Rulers" in history; tortured and killed people he didn't like.  A century later came Peter "The Great," while Catherine "The Great" lived in the 18th century.  I just glanced up and see Libby over there in her Corral.

           As with all countries Mr. Steve says, much of Russia's history is at times very bloody and brutal.  My Dictionary says the word  "Autocrat" means; "A Ruler with absolute authority."  In the 20th century there were a lot of those, and I'll learn about many of them in my books.

          During the Middle Ages Russia was one of those "Feudal" societies where most people had little money.  But then, in the 18th century Peter the Great and later Catherine the Great tried to  "Modernize" Russia.  Daffy, and some of the other Ducks too; are quacking next door.   

         

                                                             "RUSSIAN REVOLUTION"

PAINTING BY VLADIMIR SEROV    

       

              Well, back to writing about the 20th century.   A painting in this Encyclopedia shows that guy Vladimir Lenin, in 1917 during that "Russian Revolution;" making a speech.  The caption says he's "rallying a big crowd" and I can see how some of the people are holding guns.

              In World War I Russia was on the side of the Allies, against the armies of Germany, Austria-Hungary and Turkey.  But Dais heard, that guy Czar Nicholas did such a bad job and so many Soldiers died; people finally "got fed up" and revolted.  He and his family were killed.

             Mr. Steve's dad knows about 1917, the First World War's fourth year; where Lenin and his "Communist Bolsheviks" overthrew the Russian Government.  Then they "withdrew" from the war.  Wow! This Encyclopedia uses the word "incompetent" to describe Czar Nicholas.  

                             

     VLADIMIR ILYICH LENIN         LEON TROTSKY                 JOSEPH STALIN                                        (1870-1924)                              (1879-1940)                              (1878-1953)                                                                                                                                                

            In 1917 three Revolutionary leaders were Lenin, Trotsky and Stalin.  Lenin had been in "exile" but the Kaiser's Germany secretly returned him to Russia.  I guess, "Lenin" is just an "alias" and so is "Stalin;" which means "Steel" in Russian.  Andy's guarding their hole.  

            Lenin "pulled Russia out" of World War I, which is exactly what Germany wanted.  And then over the next few years, thousands died in a bloody civil war as Bolsheviks "consolidated" their "grip on power."  Daisy says that's just a nicer way of saying to kill off your enemies.

            As I've said before, Lenin, Trotsky and Stalin all studied the "Socialist" ideas in that one guy Karl Marx's books "Das Capital" and the "Communist Manifesto."  The Communists won the civil war.  Then from 1921, all the way through 1991; Russia was called the "U.S.S.R."   

       

KARL MARX (1818-1883)  

       

             I've mentioned how that guy Karl Marx was a German Jew who, with his wife and kids;  lived mostly in England.  Some countries did not want him around because of his ideas.  I guess,  U.S.S.R. just stands for the much longer name of "Union of Soviet Socialist Republics."

            From 1921 Russia was known as the "Soviet Union."  On Saturday mornings when we go in the living room to watch cartoons, I've noticed my boss's collection of hats right near the fire place.  One is a furry black hat from Russia, with a "Hammer and Sickle" pin on the front.

            Over the next three days I'm going to learn about music my boss likes.  So, three bands I'll be finding out about are the BEATLES, ROLLING STONES and BEACH BOYS. Daisy told me Mr. Steve now associates some of their songs with certain points or moments in his life.

    

     BEATLES                      ROLLING STONES                    BEACH BOYS     

                                                                                                                                                                               

            I haven't heard much music because I can only hear it when my boss brings his magical Boombox outside or we go in the living room on Saturday mornings.  But one time I heard that    BEATLES song called "Back In The U.S.S.R."  I see a long vapor trail up there in the sky.            

            Dais heard, as a kid; Mr. Steve did line drawings of the BEATLES,  ROLLING STONES and BEACH BOYS logos.  Well, I still have more to write about 20th century history.  In 1924, while in jail for leading an attempted "Coup;" Hitler wrote his famous book "Mein Kampf."       

           Mein Kampf means "My Struggle" in German, and I guess in his book written thirteen years before he attacked the Soviet Union; Hitler said he'd conquer Russia for "Lebensraum" or "Living Space" for the German people.  So it wasn't a secret to anyone who read his book.                              

                                                                    "MEIN KAMPF"

          

            To everyone's surprise, in 1939 Hitler became Stalin's "Ally," so they could "Divide Up" Poland.  But in 1941 he broke that agreement and attacked Stalin, who Mr. Steve and his father think actually admired Hitler's "Cold-Blooded" ruthlessness.  A Lizard went running bye.

            In his book Hitler said Russia was Germany's obvious enemy because with it's "Natural Resources" like oil, and endless supply of "Slave Labor;" he could conquer the world.  He also thought "Bolshevism" and "Judaism" connected.  Libby whinnied over there to my right.

            Daisy heard Mr. Steve talking on the phone with his father, who thinks Stalin was hoping he and Hitler together could conquer the world.  In some ways I guess, Stalin and Hitler had a lot "In Common."  Both knew well the "Power of Hate" and use of violence in human history. 

          

                                                        MAO ZEDONG (1893-1976)    

         

            Because Mr. Steve's dad knows about Socialism versus Capitalism, he's read about that Chinese guy Mao Zedong.  "Mao," like Hitler and Stalin; "instinctively" understood the power of "Sweet Revenge" as he called it.  And he said, "Power comes from the barrel of a gun." 

                 "Retribution," or "Justifiable Revenge;" allows a person more easily to hate.  Hey God!  Neither Hitler, Stalin or Mao believed in any "Spirituality," except in as much as it helped them "Politically."  They all totally believed fear was way more effective than love in this world. 

           Mr. Steve and his father think Hitler used the "Pomp and Ceremony" of  us Catholics in trying to create a "Secular" religion in our "Temporal" world down here.  I guess both he and that other guy Heinrich Himmler, head of the "S.S.;" were raised as German Catholics.      

                    

                  POLAND ATTACKED                                     "OPERATION "BARBAROSA"                                  (SEPTEMBER, 1939)                                                      (JUNE, 1941)                                                                                                                     

                 By June of 1941, when Hitler attacked Stalin; he had taken most of Europe except for the country of England.  At first Stalin was in "Shock" and didn't react immediately.  But, like Mr. Steve's dad says; he "should've" read Hitler's mid-1920's book.  That was a huge mistake. 

            Hitler told his Soldiers Stalin's Soviet Union was a "Hollow Shell," and all they had to do was; "Kick in the door and the whole rotten edifice will crumble."  He knew, in the 1930's Stalin had "Purged" his intellectuals and military leadership.   That just means he killed them.

           In 1939, as part of the deal to divide up Poland; Stalin was also given "Free Reign" to take the country of "Finland" too.  And Hitler noticed how, what should've been an easy victory; took the Russians longer than anyone had thought.  Two of the Pigeons are flying bye right now.

                   

                   HO CHI MINH (1890-1969)                            "HO CHI MINH" TRAIL

       

            I wrote earlier about that ancient Greek King named "Phyrrus," who won a battle but at too high a cost because his enemy could afford to lose more men than he could. It was like in the 19th century American Civil War.  And that's what happened to Germany in World War II. 

           The U.S. lost the Vietnam War and one reason was because the North Vietnamese leader Ho chi Minh said he could, and was willing to; lose ten men for every one American killed.  Rudy the Roadrunner just ran bye right n front of the Sheds.  But today I won't chase after him.

                Daisy's so right!  If I ever did catch Rudy or Speedy the Squirrel I'd lose by winning and it would be a "Short-Lived" or "Hollow" empty victory because we'd never see them again.  And I don't need any food.  We're not starving the way a lot of other Cats and Dogs are nowadays.

                                                                                                

                                                                                      MR. STEVE (AGE TWELVE)

            

           The opposite of losing by winning is "Winning by Losing," which I heard Mr. Steve call a "Blessing in Disguise."  When he was twelve he was on a Little League team that lost every game but they learned from it.  My learning to survive out in that field helps me now Dais thinks.

           Daisy once heard Mr. Steve on the phone with his friend Rick and they talked about that Little League team.  It was actually a good hitting team but they had no pitching.  And at the end of the season the other teams never thought of them as a "Pushover" or just a "Doormat."   

           Sister Rita Joseph said professional Athletes are judged by winning because we worship money in our society, but they probably learn more about life by losing.  Mr. Steve was the "Lead Off" hitter on that losing team but had a good year.  He hit .308 and scored a lot of "Runs."                                                

                                                                           RUDY

       

            I just noticed Rudy the Roadrunner standing on a branch of the Mulberry tree and he's got a dead Lizard hanging limply from his mouth.  Alpha Company of Quails is going under Moe the middle Shed.  Boy!  Angeline is so much bigger than all of the other adult Quails.

            Mr. Steve and Mr. Rick recalled how the team that lost every game lost so many "High Scoring" games.  They even let Mr. Steve "Try his Hand" at pitching but he was terrible.  Every game was "Competitive" and even the best teams "never took them for granted" he says. 

           At the end of the year teams trying to make the "Playoffs" were afraid Mr. Steve's team might play the part of what they call a "Spoiler."  Rudy jumped down on the ground and is now running away with his food.  For some reason seeing Rudy right now makes me feel good. 

    

                                                              RUDY WITH LIZARD   

    

            Some don't know this but, a Roadrunner can lift off the ground and glide for a while.  It's just not fair when Rudy coasts, and lands on a fence or bush; "Out of Range."  Daisy one times saw Rudy, who at times makes a clattering sound; catch a Dragonfly right out of the air.  

            I've also heard Rudy making a low Pigeon-like coo.  One time I chased him so he landed on our front fence near the road, and seemed to be smirking in looking down at me from up on his "Perch."  Mr. Steve thought it funny as I barked and spun around helplessly in circles.  

           Then, to my amazement; Rudy jogged along the top rail of our front fence!  At first Daisy didn't believe me and thought I was "Pulling her Leg" as they say.  But Mr. Steve saw it too from his office window so was able to "Confirm" or "Witness" my sort of hard to believe claim.

                          

                                                               MAGGIE CÓRDOVA

                      

             Before I trusted him, Mr. Steve at times got upset with me when I "Faked him Out" and wouldn't let him catch me.  Mr. Mike joked I must be "part Gazelle" and could "Dodge a Bullet" if I had to.  Rudy just ate that Lizard over there, on the side of Jack the biggest Shed. 

            When my boss got me from that field, in my "Heart of Hearts; I knew he wasn't going to hurt me.  So, even though it was hard; I let him catch me and didn't even bite or anything!  For a time I wouldn't let him touch me that much but now I willingly let him do it all the time.

             I now like when Mr. Steve cleans my eyes or checks my coat and ears for stickers or these Bugs called Fleas.  One reason I look forward to the mornings is because he uses an amazing soft paper called "Kleenex" to wipe the "sleep" from our eyes.  Ah!  I smell some Creosote.

                            PRINTING PRESS               JOHANNES GUTENBERG                     BIBLE                    

(c.1400-1468)       

         

             Boy!  How could anyone have invented paper?  Mr. Steve read the first "known" paper is Chinese.  That 15th century German guy Johannes Gutenberg made a "Printing Press."  After a trip to Egypt Mr. Hussein brought my boss's parents artwork that used "Papyrus" in it.

             Mr. Steve and his father think Gutenberg's invention of the "Printing Press" one of the most important things ever to happen.  All of these Dictionaries and Encyclopedias with writing on them seem miraculous to me sometimes.  Dawn's barking and I smell Blinky next to her.   

            I remember I couldn't believe my eyes the first time my boss used that "Lighter" by just pressing a button to make fire come out.   Dais told me about those astounding "Match Sticks." She says if we ever time travel to the past we should take a few lighters and matches with us.

                                    

"BLACK WIDOW" SPIDER  

                                      

            Oh my God!  Over near a small pile of wood I see one of those "Black Widow" Spiders Daisy's so afraid of because they're poisonous and you can die if they bite you.  I wonder if it's true female Black Widows eat the smaller males after they mate?   I like Dawn's voice.

            Daisy thinks maybe girl Black Widows eat the males before he can eat her babies.  She saw the tv show that said boy Lions kill the babies when they take over a group and, many types of Fish do the same.  In Fish Tanks you have to protect babies in little net cages I guess.

            Heathcliff, who Mr. Steve jokes "rules the roost;" just crowed over there next door.  Just like a King, he tells all the Hens what to do.  Daisy says Mr. Steve "calls the shots," and has the "final say" around here so if he tells us to "jump;" we just have to do it asking "how high." 

     

                                                                              DAISY / MAGGIE CÓRDOVA

        

            Daisy says it's ironic how, after not wanting to be touched; I now actually look forward to our morning examinations.  I learned from Daisy where to stand, conveniently in just the right spot below Mr. Steve's hands; so he'll think about petting my head.  Dawn's now barking.  

            I used to panic when Mr. Steve forcibly turned me over to check my stomach.  But, after I saw how Daisy totally relaxed and willingly accepted it; I did too and now like it.  Sometimes my boss has to trim and cut Daisy's thick fur and she now really can't wait to let him do it. 

           There's nothing Daisy enjoys more than being what they call "Groomed."  She'd do it all day if she could, even though she knows it's not really good to do things "In Excess."  I wrote this morning how one of my nicknames was "Spook," after that band SPOOKIE TOOTH.  

  

                                                                SPOOKIE TOOTH

   

             As I said this morning, Mr. Steve called me Spookie because when I first came over here to live on these two acres I was kind of "Spooked."  Daisy says SPOOKIE TOOTH was a British band from the late-1960's and early 1970's.  Andy's over there guarding their burrow. 

             I guess SPOOKIE TOOTH were sort of unique in that they used two keyboard players, one on piano and the other guy on organ.  One member, Gary Wright; a few years later did this song called "Dream Weaver."  Daisy and Millie heard it one time and really liked it a lot. 

             Dais says Mr. Steve told that kid Jason SPOOKY TOOTH'S Guitarist founded the band FOREIGNER, who did some "Hard Rock" songs Mr. Steve used to try to play.   FOREIGNER, like 1970's FLEETWOOD MAC; had both British and American members in it Daisy heard. 

   

                          FOREIGNER                                                                JUDAS PRIEST

   

             Because our boss likes Hard Rock music, Dais and I now want to like it too.  That British Heavy Metal band JUDAS PRIEST "Covered" SPOOKY TOOTH'S song called "Better by You, Better by Me."  Now in my head I'm hearing their song "You Got Another Thing Coming.  

            At first Mr. Steve thought maybe I wasn't “Wired” quite right and maybe I wasn't Daisy says.  Who wouldn't be after having to live out in that field.  But I'm doing better now, and don't even "Twitch" as much; although I'm still at times nervous and what's called "Skittish."

           Hey God!  Thank You for making my boss like me.  He jokingly described me to Mr. Mike as being a “work in progress.”  For a long time I was really afraid to go into the garage but not anymore at all and, as a "Matter of Fact;" now I always go in there the way Daisy does.

        

                         OUR HOUSE                                

             

            One thing my boss did in getting me to go inside the garage was put our food and water bowels at the very back.  At first, I didn't like this at all but; it forced me to get "Used to It.   Mr. Steve has a lot of things up there in the garage, like tools and other possibly necessary things.  

            If she weren't watching out to warn me in case Mr. Steve comes outside; Daisy would be laying at the back of the garage where her Barney the Dinosaur blanket is.  It's spread out on the floor near the utility room door.  Blackbeard and Anne Bonny just flew bye right now. 

           Daisy's been hanging around near the front door to the house, or below Mr. Steve's office window; so she can bark and let me know if he comes outside.  That will give me the "Heads Up" as they say.  Mr. Randy used that phrase one morning last Summer as as he cut up wood.

                              

                                               CROSBY, STILLS, NASH & YOUNG    

("DÉJÀ VU" / 1979)        

        

         Daisy told me about a good singing group from Los Angeles called CROSBY, STILLS, NASH & YOUNG.  They have a song about their house and it's even called "Our House."  I just noticed how Andy the Squirrel is over there sniffing the air and looking at me on the Patio.           

            Mr. Dave said the song Our House was on the C.S.N.Y. album "Déjà vu," written about a house in "Laurel Canyon, where Graham Nash and Joni Mitchell lived.  My boss has been to    Laurel Canyon a few times.  He was in the 9th Grade at Alemany High School back in 1970.         

           Pigpen the Gopher popped his head out of his hole and is now sniffing the air because he can't see me over here sitting on my couch Elvira.  Daisy saw this cartoon called "Alvin and the    Chipmunks."  She says a Chipmunk is sort of like a Gopher in living down in the ground.             

                          

                                            SIMON, ALVIN, THEODORE                          

                   

          Dais told me how the cartoon is about three talented singing Chipmunks named "Simon," "Theodore" and "Alvin."   Their voices are unique and, even though Alvin's the leader; Simon    seems like the smartest Daisy thinks.  She says I would like the big "A" on Alvin's clothes.          

     Alvin the Chipmunk seems kind of "Mischievous" Dais says.  This Encyclopedia says a Chipmunk lives in "burrows" like Gophers and some Squirrels, their tunnels can be twenty feet  long, and they store food" to eat in Winter.  Pigpen smelled me so went back into his hole.             

        I guess, Chipmunks carry "excavated" dirt away from the burrow entrance so predators won't notice their hole.  A group of Chipmunks is called a "Scurry."  I can tell by how he's so still that Andy is alert for any possible danger to he and Helen's new Spring babies down there.         

    

                                                                  "CHIPMUNK"        

        

            It says here Chipmunks have "cheek pouches" which "expand" really big to carry food back to their burrow.  Mr. Steve thinks that's an example of Charles Darwin's idea of "Natural Selection."  This good picture shows how Chipmunks have cute little hands to hold things. 

           California's in a "Drought" but we have those miraculous water "Faucets" which give us unlimited water.  Sometimes in Summer my boss fills our water buckets with these hard frozen  things called "Ice Cubes."  Daisy told me one time how they're made by controlling the cold.  

           I know from experience not to lick a new ice cube as they can stick right to your tongue!  I definitely won't make that mistake ever again, and now just wait for the ice cubes to melt and get "Absorbed" into the warmer water.  Oh!  Cher the Cat just slinked bye near the Sheds.

         

                      MOOKIE WILSON                                                    MISS FOOT

       

           I've mentioned how my boss has had Cats like Mookie Wilson and Miss Foot for example. Daisy says I'm lucky he's patient because I got here with a lot of “emotional baggage.”  If I could time travel like Mr. Peabody I'd want to go meet Mookie and Miss Foot, Lady of course.

          At times Mr. Steve has thought about getting rid of me; thinking that maybe I was just too “wild.”  So I have to make him proud of me by learning to read and write and doing these three long books.  Then hopefully, he'll want to keep me around and never, ever get rid of me. 

          Daisy thinks Mr. Steve has now what they call "Bonded" emotionally with us so, it's not at all likely he'd send us away.  We're sort of  like his kids now and I know one thing for sure, he's definitely replaced the parents I never had.  Some Ducks are quacking, but Daffy's louder.  

        

                                                                             STATUE  IN FRONT YARD

       

             Hey God!  That lady joked maybe You sent me over here to teach my boss patience.  His friend Frank said I might bring him good luck if he kept me.  And, luckily for me; at the time he was "Considering" maybe getting rid of me he met this one really nice older Muslim man. 

             I guess that man, even though most Muslims don't care for us Dogs; told my boss, "Allah tends to favor the compassionate."  Right away Mr. Steve remembered how that was what this Arab man said in the movie "Lawrence of Arabia."  I do want to see that movie someday.

            Mr. Steve likes movies with Charlton Heston, Peter O'Toole and Clint Eastwood in them. Daisy says in the movie Lawrence of Arabia Peter O'Toole plays the British First World War I Soldier T.E. Lawrence, who leads some Arabs fighting the Ottoman Turks.  Dawn's barking.     

                 

               T.E. LAWRENCE (1888-1935)                             "LAWRENCE OF ARABIA"

            

         Daisy says Millie liked the scene in Lawrence of Arabia where someone says to Lawrence, who's "Taking In" two poor orphan boys; "Allah favors the compassionate."  As You know God, my boss thinks You created the Universe but then left it alone.  Two of the Pigeons flew bye.         

           Mr. Steve thinks people have "Free-Will" to do good or bad but knows some cultures, like the ancient Greeks and Romans; believed in "Pre-destination."  The Greeks had three Goddess's called the "Three Fates."  Mr. Steve says that one lady Edith Hamilton wrote about them.

                I guess those three Goddess's, "Morai;" were sisters and might've been Zeus's daughters.  The Goddess "Clotho" spun the thread of life, "Lachesis" wove it; and "Atropos" finally cut it.  Daisy says the ancient Greeks believed those three sisters totally controlled people's "Fate."  

          

"THREE FATES"    

                            

            Daisy says Mr. Hussein down in Sylmar said "talata," Arabic for "three;" is a "lucky" number.  I want to believe 3 is my lucky number too, because Daisy, me and Mr. Steve are a good team.  In the movie Lawrence of Arabia Lawrence and his two orphans helped each other.

            I really do believe God You had me brought over here to live because who knows if I'd be alive now.  Daisy says every day unwanted Dogs and Cats are "Put Down," or "Euthanized;" by the government.  Those are just two nicer ways of saying "killed" she sometimes jokes.  

           Hey God!  There are times when I wonder why I got so lucky?  But now, I want to believe my "Destiny" is to protect these two fenced in acres and my boss.  Dais and Millie saw a tv show about ancient Rome's "Praetorian Guards," whose job it was to protect all the Emperors.

                                                        

                                                     "PRAETORIAN" GUARDS   

           When I want to run really fast I make myself what my boss calls "streamlined" or "wind resistant."  He thinks I look like an African Cheetah when running at "full speed."  Daisy runs  "Flat-Footed," whereas when I run fast; only the "balls" of my feet touching the ground.  

 

                                                                  DAISY OUTSIDE MR. STEVE'S OFFICE

     

             One of Daisy's nicknames is “Madame Wrecking Ball,” and my boss jokes how she's our  "battering ram" or "steamroller."  Sometimes, she doesn't realize her own strength; and once "Hit the Brakes" late and accidentally "Bowled Over" Mr. Steve.  Libby neighed over there. 

             When Dais lumbered around the corner of our house to "Plow" into Mr. Steve, she "Sent him Flying" as they say.  He really sprained his wrist which hurt for days.  At first, he was a bit upset but; now jokes it was like a Quarterback being "Blind-Sided."   I smell Creosote.  

            Mr. Steve says, when Daisy hit him it was like being hit by a Train; or a "Tractor-Trailer" Truck.  One morning he joked with Mr. Mike about how he now totally understands why it's not a good idea to get in front of an "Out of Control" manhole cover.  A Sparrow just flew bye.

       

                                                    "RAIDERS OF THE LOST ARK"

    

          Unlike Daisy, I have a good tail which Mr. Steve's mom  jokes is like  a "Whip;" especially if I'm happy.  Someday I want to see a movie Daisy told me about called "Raiders of the Lost Ark." The man in that movie uses a "Bullwhip" like the one Mr. Steve has in his bedroom.

          Dais avoids my "Wagging" tail when it's near her face because it hurt her once.  When I go into "Guard Mode," my tail and ears go up like a "Boat Mast" or an "Antenna."  Roadrunners go into a similar "Ultra alert Mindset" and then their tails stiffen and go straight up too.  

             Because of that one time she knocked him over my boss now jokingly calls Dais our "Mini Bus" or "Eighteen Wheeler."  He said to Mr. Mike, she hit him so hard it was sort of like being "sucker punched by a Bulldozer."  Two of the Pigeons are flying bye out in the back desert.

 

                                                                   FLYING PIGEONS

           The worst part about that day when Daisy knocked him over was my boss was wearing a white shirt and tie.  He went back in the house but because his right wrist was starting to swell up it was kind of hard just to to change his clothes.  Then, he drove down to Sylmar I guess.  

           By the end of that day Mr. Steve's right wrist hurt so much he had to do everything with one hand; like taking his shirt and tie off.  A simple thing became a "real challenge," but luckily he could do it left-handed.  Daisy says he took some of these "Ibuprofin" pills for the pain.

           From Sylmar, Mr. Steve drove his parents and Niece Samantha to a Funeral in "Orange County" one-handed.  He tried to "Grin and Bear it" but, knew this was not an injury he was just going to "Shake Off" quickly.   He thought of an AC/DC song called "Stiff Upper Lip."

                 

                                                                AFTERNOON SKY       

            

            Hey God!  As You know, Mr. Steve couldn't wait to get home from the Funeral that day.  He ended up falling asleep with his throbbing right wrist in an ice-filled bathroom sink.  It was a "really long day" he says.  It turned out to be a good thing he's partially "Ambidextrous."

            It wasn't easy but Mr. Steve was able to use his left hand as his wrist healed and, in "The long Run;" it forced him to adapt.  Boy!  It's so great having all these different Dictionaries.  It would have been totally impossible to "Sound Out" a really long word like ambidextrous.  

           One time on the phone my boss told that girl Susan, who he taught to be a Salesperson; it was hard to have to write left-handed.  Hey God!  I think I'm right-handed but might try later to write left-handed.  Oh!  Maybe that would show my boss I'm what they call "Versatile." 

        

                                                                              JAMES A. GARFIELD (1831-1881)

                                                                                                    PHOTO BY LEVIN C. HANDY

                                                                                        

             Daisy heard Mr. Steve tell his brother Sam on the phone how a 19th century President from "Ohio" named James A. Garfield also used both hands to do things.  He's the only person to go from the "House of Representatives" up to the Presidency.  But, he got assassinated. 

             I guess more Presidents have come from Ohio than any other State.  I kind of like Ohio's "Swallow-Tailed" flag.  I wrote earlier about those Birds called "Swallows," who are associated with San Juan Capistrano Mission; where my boss and his mom had that one Art Exhibit. 

                 Mr. Steve read a Newspaper article that said the 19th century girl Writer named Louisa May Alcott also had the "habit of switching hands when one became too tired while writing."  I guess, according to that article; she also liked to run.  Hey!  She and I could be friends!

             

                                                                  LOUISA MAY ALCOTT(1832-1888)    

         

                 My Encyclopedia says that girl Louisa May Alcott wrote back in the 19th century, and was a Nurse during the American Civil War.  I guess, because her father was not a good what's called a "Provider;" her family was poor for much of their lives.  A Train whistled faintly.

            It says here Louisa May Alcott was from the State of "Massachusetts;" which is near to "Connecticut" where Mr. Steve's sister Susan lives with her sons Dalton and Austin.  I guess she was an early "Feminist," didn't eat meat; or drink alcohol.  Frida and Diego flew bye.

            Three years after the Civil War ended, in 1868; Louisa May Alcott wrote a book about some sisters. Even though it was "Fiction," everyone knew it was based a lot on her own family.  To make money Louisa May Alcott, who died at fifty six; did many things during her lifetime. 

                               

      RALPH WALDO EMERSON (1803-1882)             HENRY DAVID THOREAU (1817-1862)

               

                  Wow!  It says here Louisa May Alcott, because of who her father was; knew all of those "Transcendentalist" Writers like Ralph Waldo Emerson and Henry David Thoreau.  Daisy has me scheduled to find out about them but not right now.  Donald and Daisy are quacking.

             Louisa May Alcott's father is described in this Encyclopedia as being an "educator" who even believed females and black people should go to school.  Daisy heard Mr. Steve tell Mr. Ralph the Newspaper article joked about him  being a 1800's "Hippie."  So his family was poor.

             I guess Louisa May Alcott's book "Little Women" is about this "Post" Civil War family, and she had to be convinced into even writing it; but it was a success so she could then support her family.  Daisy told me it's called being the "Bread Winner."   I love the taste of bread! 

                  

         WALT WHITMAN (1819-1892                                                       AMBROSE BURNSIDE (1824-1881)

    

                   Daisy says, before the economic recession; Mr. Steve had this customer that was near "Fredericksburg," Virginia.  I guess a big Civil War battle was fought there in 1862.  That Union General Ambrose Burnside lost a really bloody battle and it was Robert E. Lee who beat him.

             The Parts Manager in Fredericksburg said, after that Civil War battle; both Louisa May Alcott and that other Writer Walt Whitman became Nurses.  But, too bad she got sick and; from then on "suffered poor health."  I'll learn about the Battle of Fredericksburg tomorrow.

                   One thing I will say now is how the term "Sideburns" comes from the way that General Burnside wore his beard.  Oh!  General Burnside was born on May the 23rd and, in looking at my list of dates; I notice that is also my boss's brother Sam's birthday.  Dawn's barking.

                                       

"LLANO DEL RIO" RUINS      

PHOTO BY STEVE CÓRDOVA

          

                  I just thought of that early 20th century Socialist community called "Llano del Rio."  It was one of those "Collective Utopian" society's, and the Newspaper article about Louisa May Alcott said her father's town was called "Fruitland."  Hearing Dawn makes me feel good.

             Daisy says Mr. Steve joked with Mr. Ralph about how, he has a feeling the "optimistic" sounding name Fruitland is like Vikings trying to lure people out to "Greenland."  But, as often happens; that Fruitland community didn't "Work Out."  I smell little Blinky over there.

            That Newspaper article said Louisa May Alcott's mom, "could live with" her husband's "revolutionary" ideas but; "pulled the plug" on Fruitland when she saw how their family was "Living in Poverty" so to speak.  Blinky has such a good smell and I'm starting to like it.  

                 

EMILY DICKINSON (1830-1886)

         

                 I'm so tempted to write about this other 19th century girl who, like Louisa May Alcott; was also from Massachusetts.  She's now a famous "Poet," but didn't become "influential" until after she died.  I've mentioned before how my boss's old girlfriend was named Emily too.

            Anyway, I'll find out about Emily Dickinson later; and also about Louisa May Alcott too.  I glanced up from way down here on Elvira and see a flock of Birds moving to the east.  All of a sudden I just thought again about the unique "Swallowtail" shape of Ohio's State flag.

           Hey!  Maybe Swallow Birds making nests under Freeways, partially out of mud I guess; is an example of that guy Charles Darwin's idea about Natural Selection.  In order to survive in a city they've adapted to their particular environment.  A flock of Birds is flying to the east. 

        

                                                                "SWALLOW" BIRDS   

      

            Boy God!  People are so lucky to have fingers and hands and I wish I had them too.  But, when they have an "Itch;" humans can't scratch themselves with their legs like we do.  The sky is so beautiful right now, and that makes me think of how Dais says Swallows symbolize Spring. 

           When he was living on Hagar Street down there in Sylmar Mr. Steve sold some things to a girl who said she believed, if you dream about a Swallow; that means you're about to have good luck.  I guess that girl lived near the "San Juan Capistrano" Mission.  Libby just whinnied.

           Max the Hummingbird flew bye.  Seeing him makes me think of this tv show Daisy saw about those mutually beneficial "Symbiotic" relationships.  Hummingbirds drink nectar from flowers, then spread flower "Pollen" stuck to their bodies to some of the other flowers . 

            

BADGER / COYOTE COOPERATION

                All of a sudden I just thought of how sometimes Coyote's will "Team Up" with Badgers to hunt for food to kill and eat.  The Badger digs Gophers and things like that out of the ground, so then the Coyote chases it down if it tries to run.  Andy's over there guarding their burrow.        

           Daisy says the Shoshone man at the Phelan Library called Coyote's "opportunistic," in how they'll eat almost anything; from bugs to berries.  He read in ancient Europe "Celts" had stories of Foxes and Badgers working together.   Mr. Dave jokingly calls Coyote's "Tricksters." 

           The way Coyote's work with "Competitors" reminds me of how, in ancient Greece; City-States like Athens and Sparta "Temporarily" stopped killing each other so they could have those "Olympic" games.  Japan also has old stories about Animals cooperating.  I smell Mesquite.

                                                                                                   UNDERDOG / POLLY PUREBRED

     

            Fanny and Freddie flew bye out into the back desert, and that for some reason makes me wonder if we'll go in the living room on Saturday to watch cartoons?  I can tell sometimes Daisy is sort of jealous of Underdog's girlfriend Polly.  A Train just whistled faintly to my left.  

           Underdog takes care of Polly and protects her, and Dais likes how he cleverly speaks in "Rhymes."  Whenever she hears "There's no need to fear!  Underdog is here!" she gets excited as he's so cute in his red uniform.  That Boxer Muhammad Ali used to talk in rhymes too.

           You could say Underdog is the "Superhero" of Dogs in how, just in the "Nick of Time; he swoops in to capture criminals.  Daisy's told me about how those two other guys, "Batman" and "Superman;" also do that same thing too.  I wonder if Batman also smells like a real Bat?                                                                            

                                                             SUPERMAN / BATMAN  

                    ARTWORK BY REX FEATURES              

                

                   Oh my God!  A picture in this Encyclopedia shows that Trojan Horse from the story, so now I see how there could be some Greek Soldiers hiding inside.  I notice those Trojan people are cheering and celebrating.  But. little do they realize; most of them will be dead very soon.  

             Dais says in the story of the Trojan War there's a part where the Greek Warrior Achilles killed a Trojan named "Hector" in a "One on One" dual.  But, after a hard fight; Achilles finally wins.  Two Crow's are fighting and yelling at each other way out there in the eastern desert.

             I guess, after he killed Hector; Achilles tied the body to the back of a Chariot and then dragged it all around the outside of the "Walled" city Troy.  Boy, that sounds bad.  Daisy heard Mr. Steve and his brother Rock talk about a guy they played Baseball against named Hector.

                 

                                                               "TROJAN WAR" (ACHILLES / HECTOR)

     ARTWORK BY MARK CHURMS                                                   PAINTING BY PETER CONNOLLY                         

                                                                                                                                                      

         According to Daisy, eventually Achilles was himself killed by this Trojan named "Paris;" who did it by shooting an arrow into Achilles' foot.  I guess Achilles' mom, who was one of those  "Goddess's;" dipped her baby into that magical river called "Styx."  Heathcliff crowed.               

          The problem was I guess, the magical water made Achilles whole body "Invulnerable" to weapons; except for the part on the back of his feet.  And that was because when he went into the water his mother's fingers holding him were covering up the back of his feet.  I smell Sage.           

          Mr. Steve's father said Achilles was killed by a "perfectly placed" shot.  It says here the "elastic tendon" behind people's feet is now called an "Achilles heel."   Daisy heard Mr. Steve      tell his mom one time that term is now also used to describe a person's "Biggest Weakness."                                                                                                                                                                             CAULDRON                                                                                   

                       PHOTOS BY STEVE CÓRDOVA                           

           

            This morning I mentioned that Hard Rock band from San Fernando CAULDRON, and how Mr. Steve and Harriet got to know them.  Later, some of the members were in another band called ACHILLES HEEL.  Frida and Diego the Bluebirds just flew bye going to the east.              

           At “Twilight” or “Dusk,” as the light fades; Dais and I like to look at the pretty Sunsets which are sometimes yellow or orange.  And we even have a few purple Sunsets.  No one scans a  horizon or fence line quite like me Daisy thinks, and nothing ever escapes my attention.                

            Mr. Steve has a bullwhip in his bedroom, but the ones the Romans used on You Lord had sharp little pieces of metal on them; so each time they whipped You skin and flesh tore right off of You.  Ugh!  That would be so painful I think.  Heathcliff just crowed over there to my right.

          

                                                                  "CRUCIFIXION"  

                             

            Lord?  Thank You for letting the Romans nail your hands and feet to that cross.  Blessed Mother, it must have been so hard for You to have to watch Your own son die like that, and I'll bet You were crying a lot.  I know that Daisy and I sure would have been crying a lot too.

              I just thought of the cement statues and stelae's we have on our two acres.  Two represent the ancient "Mesopotamian Assyrian" period, when they "Impaled" or "Skinned" prisoners alive.  Impaled means to hang you up on a sharpened pole according to what Daisy's heard.         

                 The heavy Assyrian statue near the entrance to the front door is of a "Winged" half Bull, half man; and it weighs about four hundred pounds.  Mr. Mike had to help my boss get it down from Rex the Truck and put it in position to the side of the front door.  Dawn's barking.

      

                                                                                             OUR PROPERTY

     

            Daisy says, on this bookshelf in his office; Mr. Steve has a miniature clay "Book Divider" his mom made as an "Assignment" in College.  It's the winged Assyrian Bull exactly like the one near our front door.  Samson and Delilah the Ravens are now flying toward the southeast. 

           That other stelae in the front yard shows an Assyrian guy on a Horse killing a Lion with a spear.  Mentioning the Assyrians makes me think of that 15th century Prince Vlad Dracula.  He was from the area now the country of "Romania," and fought against the "Ottoman" Turks.  

            I guess, from what Dais saw on tv; Vlad Dracula's nickname was "The Impaler" and his last name means, "Dragon's son."  Like the Assyrians two thousand years before, he used terror against enemies; who always "Outnumbered" his armies.  I can see Libby over there.

   

         VLAD DACULA (c.1428-c.1476)                                       BRAM STOKER (1847-1912)   

ARTWORK / "AMBRAS CASTLE"                                                                                                                                                                                                  

     

             Daisy saw this movie about a man who turns into a Bat and then flies around looking for someone to bite so he can drink their blood.  She heard Mr. Steve tell his mom on the phone how it's based on an 1897 book written by an Irishman named Bram Stoker.  I smell Mesquite.            

         In the movie, when the man turns into a Bat; he becomes a "Vampire."   Bram Stoker's book was "Inspired" by Vlad the Impaler's life my boss heard.  This Encyclopedia says Bram      Stoker went to College with that other famous 19th century Irish Writer Oscar Wilde.                   

          Bram Stoker, it says here; was "related" to Sir Arthur Conan Doyle who wrote all those  "Sherlock Holmes" stories.  Oh!  He met Walt Whitman, and the U.S. President's McKinley and Roosevelt too.  All four of the Pigeons just flew bye and are now moving to the northeast.              

            

BELLA LUGOSI (1882-1956)

   

          Daisy says the Actor who played the part of the man who turns into a Bat was from the country of "Hungary" and his name was Bela Lugosi.  Mr. Steve heard he was wounded in the    First World War, and turned down the part of "Frankenstein."  He really liked us Dogs.               

           The movie Daisy saw, like many "Classic" Horror movies; was made in the 1930's during the time of the Great Depression.  Like Bram Stoker's book, it was named after Vlad Dracula.  I  just now glanced up in time to see a little Lizard run down the side of the wall over there.             

          When we were putting together my three long outlines Dais and I decided I'd learn about the subject of Horror movies mainly in book two tomorrow.  But, writing about "Terror" and      things like that made me think about the movies I hope to see one day.  Dawn 's barking.                                                                                            "EN ROUTE" TO CRUCIFIXION               

                     (SIMON OF CYRENE ASSISTS)                         

                       "PASSION OF THE CHRIST"                 

                                                             

              Hey Lord?  As You know, my boss says "unfortunately for You;" by the time You were killed the Romans had "turned torture into a science."  People in your days liked watching torture as "Entertainment."  Boy!  I don't think I'd ever want to be tortured.  Ugh!  Ugh!  

              If Daisy and I could borrow Mr. Peabody's time travel machine Lord, we'd go back to smell You.  The Romans forced that man named "Simon" to help You carry the heavy cross, and we would want to do that too so they would stop hitting You.  Heathcliff crowed over there.   

             Lord!  My boss was told it's possible the Romans just nailed You to the trunk of an Olive tree, as that's what they often did then.  Daisy says, when her paws hurt; she just thinks of how much more pain You must've had to go through before dying.  I like Heathcliff's voice.

                

     CRUCIFIXION OF "SPARTACUS REBELS                          THE "APPIAN WAY"                                                   (73 B.C.)                                                                   ("APPIAN WAY" SOUTH OF CITY OF ROME           

                                                                                                                                                  PHOTO BY STEVE CÓRDOVA

      

             Mr. Steve's dad thinks Lord, Crucifixion was a "well thought out and calculated way to kill slowly in maximum pain;" as that's how many people thought back in Your days.  I just now thought of the Romans crucifying those Slaves in that "Spartacus Revolt."  I smell Sage.   

             Hey Lord?  Do you blame that High Priest "Caiaphas," the leader of the Jewish Council or "Sanhedrin;" for having the Romans "do the dirty work" of killing You?   That's what Mr. Steve's dad thinks.  You died saying, "Father forgive them for they know not what they do!"   

             In order to "shift the blame" Lord my boss thinks maybe Caiaphas had that Roman "Procurator" Pontius Pilate, who was "really in charge;" kill You.  Daisy heard the "Temple Priests" didn't like You criticizing their wealthy lifestyles.  Most Jews were poor then.

                                                                                              CAIAPHAS (Died 36 A.D.)                                  PONTIUS PILATE (Died 37A.D.)

          "PASSION OF THE CHRIST"           

                Hey Lord!  Mr. Steve's father thinks Caiaphas, like King Herod too; were "Puppets" of the Romans so were "beholding" to them.  Pontius Pilate was afraid You might inspire a violent revolt in Israel so, for "practical purposes; it was just easier to kill You.   Daffy's quacking.          

              For Dais Lord, there's no question Easter is her favorite holiday.  I haven't decided yet what mine is, mainly because I've only had one each of them and kind of like them all.  I like the idea of wearing costumes on "Halloween," which I guess was on Grandma Trujillo's birthday. 

              Even though I love to celebrate, I don't really like the Fourth of July that much because of the sound "Fireworks" make.  Thunder and lightning still make me shiver but Daisy and Mr. Steve help calm me down.  Frida and Diego the Bluebirds are now flying toward the east. 

   

                                                    CHRISTMAS "NATIVITY" SCENE

            You know Lord, even though my boss Mr. Steve says You probably weren't really born in December; I think I kind of like the Christmas season.  Everyone seems happy then.  Mr. Steve's favorite holiday is "Thanksgiving" because it makes him appreciate things in our lives.  

            I just thought of how magical that moment is in the morning when the Sun comes up and the sound of Crickets is replaced by the chirping of Birds.  My boss one time jokingly called me "Eos," the ancient Greek Goddess of "Dawn."  At times I do my happy howl in the morning.  

           Ah!  A Train just whistled faintly to my left, or from the north.  I've mentioned before how the Trains that go by near us are "Freight" Trains, which don't carry "Passengers."   The other day Mr. Steve and his father took the "Metrolink" to downtown Los Angeles from Sylmar. 

           

                                                                "FREIGHT" TRAIN

             Grandpa Trujillo worked at the "Santa Fe Railroad Company" for more that forty years so my boss and his family took those Train trips back and forth to New Mexico.  But now those kind of passenger Trains "don't exist" my boss says.  Andy's over there sniffing the air.  

             Daisy says Mr. Steve now realizes, as much as he liked looking out of the Train window during those Train trips; he never really appreciated them until years later.  He's come to think that it's normal to "not appreciate good things until later."  I'd love to go on a Train trip! 

             As I've said a few times already, I love to celebrate.  Daisy told me about two 1970's songs called "Celebration."   One is by this band called  KOOL AND THE GANG, and the other was done by an Italian band called PRIMIATA, FORNERIA, MARCONI, or PFM for short.      

            

              KOOL & THE GANG                        PFM                                RARE EARTH

       

            Dais thinks I would really like PFM's song Celebration because it has flute playing in it.  She and Millie also heard a song from 1971 called "I Just Want To Celebrate" by this one band called RARE EARTH.  She told me how PFM'S song gives her an uplifting Rhêma feeling.  

            In 1971 Mr. Steve was a sixteen year old 10th Grader.   Daisy heard Mr. Mark say RARE EARTH was a white band on that black Detroit "Motown" label.  Since World War II black and white music, like almost everything else in the U.S.; was in separate categories.  I smell Sage.   

            My Encyclopedia says Motown "integrated" popular music, and my Dictionary says one meaning of integrate is to; "remove barriers."  Daisy saw this tv show that said Motown mixed "Soul" and "Pop" to make "Crossover" music.   Mr. Steve has some customers in Detroit.  

          

                                                                                                  BARRY GORDY JR.

                                                              ("MOTOWN" RECORDS / 1964)

PHOTO BY TONY SPINA

             Daisy heard Mr. Mark in Hawaii say the name Motown is a slang way of saying "Motor City," because for years Cars were built there.  Barry Gordy, who started Motown; worked on an Auto "Assembly Line" like Mr. Steve's brother Rock.   Two of the Pigeons flew bye.

            Mr. Steve was told Barry Gordy, like his father; also Boxed during the Korean War.  Mr. Mark knows a lot about Motown's "Funk Brothers" Session Musicians, who "Anonymously" played on famous songs by bands like the SUPREMES and TEMPTATIONS.  I smell Sage.

            From what Dais heard, the Funk Brothers were only paid ten dollars for each song they played on, so must've done many songs in ne day.  I guess Motown was operated out of a house in Detroit converted into a Business Office and Recording Studio.  A Train whistled faintly.  

  

                                                                   THE UNDERDOGS

           Daisy heard Mr. Steve tell Mr. Mark on the phone how he one time did artwork for this girl who knew about Motown.  She told him about this all white band on the Motown "Label" called the UNDERDOGS.  Benjamin the black Cow Bird just went running bye right now.           

               I've never heard any Motown songs but Dais has, and she says they have  good music and singing on them.  She has me scheduled to learn more about "Session Musicians" in book three on Saturday.  But I can also mention that subject in my first two books too if I feel like it.            

           That Guitarist Jimmy Page was a Session Musician over there in England before starting LED ZEPPELIN in the late 1960's.  And here in California were those early 1960's Musicians called the "Wrecking Crew."  Daisy says Mr. Steve has told Mr. Mark about Carol Kaye.

                         

                              JIMMY PAGE                                               THE WRECKING CREW

             Carol Kaye, in the 1960's; played bass and other instruments on a lot of famous tv show "Themes."  She was on the BEACH BOY'S "Pet Sounds" album, and I've mentioned how she played guitar on Ritchie Valens song "La Bamba."  I can smell some Beavertail cactus.

             I just thought of how Ritchie Valens, whose real last name was "Valenzuela;" was from "Pacoima." He and his mom are buried together down at "Mission" Cemetery, near my boss's parent's "Crypts."  I'll write about that Baseball player named Fernando Valenzuela later.

            When Daisy explained to me how sometimes Entertainers use fake "Stage" names, we were sitting here on Elvira and looking up at the Constellation Orion.  I guess, for most of the 20th century; "Ethnic" names were disguised or replaced.  Some Jews did that Dais says.   

                                                                      

  MR. MARK

                   

               I just thought of how Mr. Mark in Hawaii moved from "Wisconsin" to California, and was living in "Lake View Terrace" when my boss met him in 1984.  He's a good Musician who likes and  makes many types of music.   Blackbeard and Anne Bonny are flying bye.  

             Many later Musicians, like Greg Lake of that 1970's British "Progressive" band called EMMERSON, LAKE AND PALMER; said the Funk Brothers bass player James Jamison was a big influence on them.  Mr. Mark likes James Jamison's playing too.  I smell Mesquite.

             When my boss first met Mr. Mark and Miss Helen they worked for the  Lakers,  Kings, Lazers and Strings.  Mr. Mark grew up in that city of "Milwaukee," on the west coast of Lake "Michigan;" which is one of the "Great Lakes."  A Train whistled faintly over to my left.

               

                                                              THE "GREAT" LAKES

             A "Fresh Water Lake" contains water like what we have around here Dais says.  In my third book on Saturday I'll look up the five Great Lakes.  And over the next three days I'll also find out about "Salt Water Lakes;" like the "Dead Sea" which my boss visited in 1985. 

           Detroit, where Motown was located; is near Lake "Erie" and also Milwaukee.  The city of "Chicago" is close bye.  My boss's parents visited one of Mr. Steve's dad's Korean War friends in Milwaukee one time.  Mr. Steve's brother Sam, and sister Celina and Susan; were with them.

          Mr. Mark, who sold Mr. Steve my couch Elvira before moving over to Hawaii; used to go dance on this tv show called "Soul Train."  His pay was a two piece KFC Chicken dinner.  And he won a "Date" on this other show called "Love Connection."  Boy!  I'd like to have a date.

    

                              "SOUL TRAIN"                                       "LOVE CONNECTION"

         According to Daisy, after working for the Lakers; Mr. Mark got a Sales job working for that other L.A. Basketball team called the "Clippers."  And then, he worked for the "Hollywood Reporter" Newspaper.  Theodora the Thrasher Bird just went running bye right now.                   

           I've mentioned before how Mr. Mark, wife Kim and their sons Taj and Dylan; now live on the "Big Island" of Hawaii.  Mr. Mark makes music and runs that Internet Newspaper called the "Big Island Reporter."  Mr. Steve says Hawaii's weather is a lot warmer than Wisconsin.              

        Dais heard, besides all the Lakers' games he's been to; Mr. Steve has seen a few Clippers games at the "Sports Arena" too.  That's when Mr. Mark worked for them and, back in the late 1980's; Miss Harriet's father bought Clipper "Season Seats."   A Train whistled faintly.                 

     

STEVIE WONDER /MARVIN GAYE 

         I guess that company Motown moved to Los Angeles.  In 1984, just after my boss began working for the Lakers; one of their Singer's named Marvin Gaye died.  Daisy heard Mr. Steve    talking with Mr. Mark about it and I guess he was shot here in L.A. by his very own father!         

            Dais heard Marvin Gaye's family moved here to Southern California from back east in Washington D.C.  Mr. Steve and some of his family visited Washington D.C. in 2008 for the 4th of July.  All four of the Pigeons just flew in from the desert and went over top of the house.

            Mr. Steve once met a girl who lived near the L.A. neighborhood where Marvin Gaye had bought a house.  She said his father shot him with his own handgun the day before his birthday.  That girl said Marvin Gaye's dad at times "seemed kind of mean even to his own family."                                                    

MARVIN GAYE (1939-1984) 

           A picture shows that guy Marvin Gaye riding a "Scooter."  In 1985, when they were in Italy and then Israel; Mr. Steve's Tour Group saw a lot people riding "Vespa" Scooters because gas was expensive.   A man rides his Scooter up and down the road in front of our house.           

              Mr. Mark in Hawaii has read the New Testament's "Book of Revelation," and one time told my boss Marvin Gaye made some Book of Revelation "themed" music.  Daisy noticed how Motown "Acts" were good Singers, and Dancers too.  She told me of the TEMPTATIONS.

             In 1984, when Marvin Gaye died; people at the Forum told my boss and Mr. Mark about the time he sang the "National Anthem" at a Basketball game.  That lady Miss Helen was there and didn't care for it that much.  But she was in the minority as most others really liked it. 

        

                                                              "TET" OFFENSIVE

                                                                      (VIETNAM / 1968)

        

             I remember that morning when my boss told Mr. Cliff 1968 was an "eventful year."  In that year Mr. Cliff was in that Vietnam War's "Tet Offensive," when the North Vietnamese, like the Japanese did in 1941; caught the U.S. by total surprise.  Daffy's quacking over there.

            Later in 1968 that guy Martin Luther King was assassinated and a few months later so was Robert Kennedy.  Mr. Mark said in that year's Baseball "World Series" Marvin Gaye sang the National Anthem at one of the games in Detroit.  Mr. Steve was only thirteen in 1968.

           One time Mr. Steve talked on the phone with his friend Rick about the 1968 World Series. In 1968 the Detroit "Tigers" beat the St. Louis "Cardinals," even though the Cardinals' Pitcher Bob Gibson did really good.  Daisy told me how Mr. Steve has drawn both teams logos.  

            

                                                        BOB GIBSON (1968 WORLD SERIES)

PHOTO BY WALTER IOOSS JR.  

                                     

         Mr. Steve and Mr. Rick remembered how, in the late 1960's; "Pitching" dominated the "Hitting."  Not only were there a lot of good Pitchers around, the "Pitching Mound" was taller    than now.  Frida and Diego the Bluebirds are zooming around out there in the field.                      

             The caption below a picture of that guy Bob Gibson says he "threw hard," and almost seemed to "fly off of the mound."  During the 1968 "Regular" season, he had a 1.12 "E.R.A.;" which stands for "Earned Run Average."  Wow!  He "Won" over twenty games that year.

             In 1968 Mr. Steve's favorite team the Oakland A's weren't very good but were hopefully "improving."  Players who would be part of their 1970's "Dynasty" were starting to play for them.  In 1968 Detroit had a Pitcher, named Denny Mclain; who won thirty games!  

                                                                                            DENNY MCLAIN (DETROIT "TIGERS")                          

         

              For a "Starting " Pitcher to win twenty games is good, to win thirty like Denny McClain did in 1968 is great.  More amazing is his twenty eight "Complete Games," meaning he pitched all nine "Innings."    My boss's sister Celina was married to a guy named Dave McClain. 

              In a "Four out of Seven Game Series," if a team is "Down" three games to one; it's hard  to "Come Back."  But the Tigers did that in 1968 and, from what Dais heard Mr. Rick say; it was their Pitching that was the main reason.  Dawn's barking over there and I smell Blinky. 

             Mr. Steve remembers when the Cardinal's Lou Brock, who I mentioned this morning in writing about the "Cubs;" was thrown out at the plate in the 1968 World Series.  A perfect throw from left field by this guy named Willie Horton made it a "Close Play.  I smell Creosote.

        

1968 WORLD SERIES   

(LOU BROCK THROWN OUT)

               

         Someday I'd like to watch a Baseball game.  Daisy's seen a few on tv and one time saw a show about that 1968 World Series, which said Denny Mclain was not even the best Pitcher in      that World Series.  That was this left-handed guy named Micky Lolich according to Daisy.            

           Mickey Lolich won three games against the Cardinals in 1968, so was what they call "the difference."  Earlier today I wrote how the Chicago Cubs haven't been champions since 1908.  In 1968 the Tigers hadn't won anything since 1945, or the final year of the Second World War.          

        I guess my boss told Mr. Rick, in 1968 Denny McClain won his thirtieth game again his favorite team the Oakland A's; which at first got him really angry.   But, because his mom told      him to "get over it;" he came to admire what Denny McClain had done.  Daffy's quacking.           

        

    REGGIE JACKSON  (1968)     

           

        Daisy says in 1968, that guy Reggie Jackson was on the A's and had "Come Up" to the Major Leagues the year before; when the A's were still located in Kansas City.  In 1971, in an      "All Star" game at Detroit; his Home Run hit the roof.  In 1984 he hit one over that roof.              

          Mr. Steve watched Denny McClain beat the A's 5-4 for his thirtieth win.  He now thinks what Denny McClain did was amazing as no starting Pitcher has ever won thirty game since.  A    group of what looks from down here like Pigeons is flying bye way up in the afternoon sky.           

         By 1968 the A's were wearing those "Unique" uniforms, the only team with white shoes.  And, unlike other teams in history; they didn't just wear white uniforms at "Home" and gray on the "Road."  They even had these sleeveless "Mustard Brown" uniforms Daisy told me.                                                            

 REGGIE JACKSON (1968)     

     

          People told my boss the A's, besides wearing green; had the "worst" uniforms but he liked them in part because of those uniforms.  Mr. Steve really, really wanted white Baseball shoes in 1968; and was so happy when his mom got those all white Soccer shoes.  A Train whistled.             

         Reggie Jackson, who's in the "Hall of Fame;" is now most famous for being a member of the New York "Yankees."  In 1977 he hit three Home Runs in just one World Series game against the Dodgers.   I can smell those Joshua trees over there above Andy and Helen's burrow.               

          In mid-August of 1977, Mr. Steve and his brother Rock visited their Uncle Marty's family in New Jersey.   But, before that; they spent a few days driving a rented Car around New York    City.   1977 is now called "The year the Bronx burned" according to what Dais has heard.                    

                 N.Y.C. "SKYLINE"             NEW YORK CITY         "SON OF SAM"                           

1977 

             In 1977, before my boss and his brother's trip; people "Looted" Manhattan after this  "Power Outage."  There was a "Garbage Strike" and parts of N.Y.C. burned Daisy says.  That    killer "Son of Sam" was caught in August of 1977 when my boss and his brother were there.         

            Because of his dad's having had that school for Stockbrokers, in 1977 my boss's Uncle Marty took he and his brother Rock to see the "Stock Exchange."   They also went up to the top of one of those "World Trade Centers."  Benjamin the black Cow Bird went running bye.             

            Mr. Rick has always liked the Pittsburg "Pirates" Baseball team.  In 1971 that annual "All Star" game was played in "Detroit;" Reggie Jackson hit one of the "longest" Home Runs in all of history.  And I guess he hit it off of a Pirates' Pitcher Daisy from what Daisy heard.                                        REGGIE JACKSON HOME RUN          

       (1971 "ALL STAR" GAME / DETROIT)         

                                                                    

          Daisy and Millie saw a tv show about Reggie Jackson, which mentioned how in 1971 the name of the Pirates' Pitcher who gave up that long Home Run was "Doc" Ellis.  I guess, some      people think, if it had not hit a light tower; the ball might've gone 600 feet.  I smell Sage.              

           Back in those days the "American" and "National" league teams did not play each other except in "Spring Training," the "All-Star" game; and at the end of the season in the "World      Series.   So Dais says, it was a "bigger deal" than it is now.  Two of the Pigeons flew bye.                

          I've mentioned before how my boss's very first Car was Mr. Rick's 1968 Chevelle, which his dad bought for him in 1972.  A customer in Northern California told him Reggie Jackson        "collects" Cars, and thinks he has a 1968 Chevelle.  Now the other two Pigeons just flew bye.                                                                                         "SPRING TRAINING"        REGGIE JACKSON     WITH DENNY MCLAIN                               

                                                                                                                                                     PHOTO BY BRUCE BENNETT

         

           Dais heard Mr. Steve tell Mr. Rick how in 1972 that Pitcher Denny Mclain "finished his career" with the A's.  By then he was "Past his Prime" as they say, but to this day no Pitcher has  won thirty games in a single season.  A little Wren carrying a twig just went running bye.              

                Well, back to my outline and I can see I have more to write about music.  When growing up in Sylmar Mr. Steve collected those flat, round plastic "Vinyl Records."  When Daisy told me  about them it was so hard to believe you could hear music coming out of a plastic "Disc."             

          I want to hear a Record someday.  Daisy heard, as a kid; Mr. Steve had 33 and 45 R.P.M. records.  I remember, when putting together my three outlines; we found out R.P.M. stands for    "Rounds per Minute."  I can smell Alpha Company going bye out there in the back desert.           

      

        CHESS BROTHERS (CHICAGO)                                 "SUN" RECORDS (MEMPHIS)             

PHOTO BY HENRY HERR GILL                                                                                          

        

             Dais has me scheduled to learn about these two brothers named Phil and Leonard Chess in my books, but I can mention them now too.   In the 1950's their "Chess" Records" in Chicago, and that other company "Sun" Records in Memphis; were important.  I can smell Andy.

             I guess, from what it says here in my Encyclopedia; those two brothers in Chicago's real last name was the Polish "Czyz."  I've noticed, back in the 1950's when Mr. Steve and his brother Rock were born; men wore small hats.  One of the Chess brothers is wearing one in the photo.

            Mr. Steve has a good collection of all different types of hats, but only wears a hat when he comes outside to do yardwork.  I'd like to have a hat and Dais would to.  Boy!  I really believe we should invent some hats for Dogs because it might just be possible to make a lot of money.

                 

"VAPOR TRAIL"     

       

                I glanced up and see a long white vapor trail up there in the sky.  And that reminds me of last Summer when one time I saw a vapor trail while smelling Andy.  Daisy also wants to think maybe this year will be special because of things like Andy and Helen having early babies.   

             Like many immigrants then, Phil and Leonard Chess's Polish family "thought it a good idea" to change their original name.  I'd like to learn to play Chess.  Dais says it's fun but you have to think "Strategically" and "Tactically."  I smell Bonnie and Clyde's babies up there.

            Mr. Steve read the Chess brothers didn't know, or even care; about music.  But they were good "Businessmen" or "Entrepreneurs."  Their company recorded some of the first songs later called "Rock and Roll."  And they did some pretty good "Blues" records too Daisy says.

                 

                     CHICAGO SKYLINE                          WILLIE DIXON, MUDDY WATERS, BUDDY GUY

     

                Mr. Steve was born in 1955, his brother Rock two years later.  I guess, this is about the time when Rock and Roll first appeared.  Mr. Steve has never been to Chicago where the Chess brothers lived, but his dad has been there a few times.  Andy picked up my scent over there.

           Tomorrow I'll learn about American "Organized Crime."  Daisy and Millie saw a movie called "The Godfather."  In the "Roaring" 1920's Al Capone was in Chicago, during the 1930's "Great Depression" Gangsters" like Charles "Lucky" Luciano lived in New York City. 

          During the 1950's many now famous Musicians, like that guy Chuck Berry for example; worked at Chess Records.  Daisy told me about a talented girl Singer from Los Angeles named Etta James.  Her song "At Last" is a theme song for the current President Obama I guess.

      

              CHUCK BERRY               ETTA JAMES (1938-2012)     BILL HALEY (0000-0000)

                       

           Daisy saw a tv show that said "Rock and Roll" music began back in the 1950's when Mr. Steve and his brother Rock were born.  Chuck Berry had "Hit" songs and so did Bill Haley.  His band, in 1954 or year before my boss was born; did a song called "Rock Around the Clock." 

                Tomorrow I'm scheduled to learn about an English band called the MOVE.  They became the ELECTRIC LIGHT ORCHESTRA, and in the 1970's "Covered" a 1950's Chuck Berry song called "Roll Over Beethoven."  Andy's sniffing the air in guarding their burrow entrance.

           In book two I'll learn about this other 1950's company called "Sun Records," which was located in the city of "Memphis," Tennessee.  The man on the tv show mentioned how that guy Elvis Presley, and Jerry Lee Lewis and Johnny Cash; made records there.  Dawn's barking.   

       

  HOWLIN' WOLF (1910-1976)                                                  MUDDY WATERS (1915-1983)

        

          I guess, from what the tv show said; a Blues Musician called Howlin' Wolf worked at both Chess and Sun Records during the 1950's.  And this other guy named Muddy Waters worked for Chess Records.  I just now noticed Blackbeard and Anne Bonny flying over Libby's Corral.         

        Brian Jones started the ROLLING STONES in the early 1960's. Dais heard, when a man who was going to hire the band to play at his Nightclub asked their name on the phone; it just so  happened this Muddy Waters record was sitting nearby.  And it was called "Rollin' Stone."          

         Oh!  All of a sudden that one song "La Primavera" just came into my mind.  I mentioned earlier how that's Latin for "The Spring."  Boy!  More and more, I'm beginning to understand    why my boss listens to it on many mornings; because right now it's giving me a good feeling.                                           

                                                              ANTONIO VIVALDI (1678-1741)   

    

         My Encyclopedia says Vivaldi wrote La Primavera in 1725, and is part of his “The Four Seasons” concertos.  Daisy thinks La Primavera, like Beethoven's 6th "Pastoral" symphony; has become one part of the "soundtrack" in Mr. Steve's life.  Fannie and Freddie flew bye.                  

          Boy God!  It's too bad Vivaldi died a "penniless pauper."  I'm glad Mr. Steve has enough money to take care of us!  Dais thinks, if America ever does go into an economic Depression; we'll probably do better than most other Dogs but; it will still be really, really hard to survive.              

          Looking at the eastern horizon behind the Sheds makes me appreciate how fortunate the three of us are here in Piñon Hills.  I just looked up this early 19th century "Shawnee" Indian      Chief named "Tecumseh."   William Tecumseh Sherman was named after him I guess.                  

        

                  JOHN DENVER  (1945-1997)                               "RUTAN LONG-EZ"

                 

      I've mentioned before how Mr. Steve's sister Susan, back in the 1980's; worked as a "Set Decorator" on the "Bill Cosby Show" and also "Roseanne."  Those were "Traditionally" filmed  shows with actual physical Sets with real furniture and things like that I guess.  I smell Sage.        

           If only we had a Time Machine, we could live forever; when you get old you just  go back in time.  Oh!  I wonder if you could charge for letting everyone live forever, because I'll bet you could maybe make money.  But, I'm sure my boss would probably never want to do that. 

          Oh wow!  I see one of those ugly Potato Bugs, and it's a big one too.  Even though I know they're harmless, I'm still glad I'm safe over here on Elvira.  That Potato Bug better be careful as there are a lot of things around here who would love to kill and eat a big exposed Potato Bug.

  

                         POTATO BUG                      "PREDATOR"                    POTATO BUG FACE

         

             Boy!  Potato Bugs have such scary faces.  I don't think that Potato Bug even knows I'm up here looking down at him walking bye, and I can see he's going to hide under that curled up green water hose sitting in the dirt near the Arborvitae bush.  I smell Andy over there. 

            Dais told me Mr. Steve heard the monster's face in a 1990's movie called "Predator" was "based partly" on the Potato Bug.  I guess, the main Actor in Predator was that one "Austrian" guy Arnold Schwarzenegger; who's a "Body Builder " Daisy says.  A small Lizard ran bye.     

            One time, during the period when Predator came out; Miss Harriet was sent by "Fitness" Magazine to write about an event in West Los Angeles.  At this Elementary School the California Governor Pete Wilson and "Arnold" held a meeting.  It was in the school's Auditorium.

GOVERNOR WILSON / ARNOLD SCHWARZENEGGER

PHOTO BY STEVE CÓRDOVA

   

                    Daisy says the event in that Auditorium was sponsored by Governor Wilson's "Council on Physical Fitness."  Miss Harriet's Editor said it was okay for Mr. Steve to go along with her to take pictures.  I just noticed Alpha Company of Quail out in the desert behind the Sheds.

              At that time Arnold, because he'd been a Bodybuilder; was head of Governor Wilson's program.  Both were very friendly and there were a lot of young kids inside of that Auditorium.  Miss Harriet, who sounds really nice; wrote a good article about that event Dais heard.

              I see Alpha Company doing what Quail often do, "scratching" at the dirt hoping to get lucky and dig up some buried food.  When they scratch Daisy thinks they look kind of like little gray Chickens.   They scratch a lot in the dirt outside and below Mr. Steve's office window. 

         

HIGH DESERT       

             

             At times Daisy and I are kind of curious about what's out in our back half acre but, then we just stay inside our fenced in two acres.  Mr. Steve sometimes goes out there and walks along Primavera Road, where the Motocross riders go.  Donald and Daisy are both quacking.    

              Mr. Steve, and Babette, Susan and Karin also sell to "Motorcycle Shops;" even though the bad economy put a lot of them "Out of Business."  Mr. Dave, who lives with his wife Miss Julianne in New Mexico; used to sell to Motorcycle Shops.  Duck voices make me feel good.

            Superstitious is not a word I would use to describe my boss but he told his mom when he first saw on a map how our dirt road is called "Primavera" Road, like Vivaldi's song; he thought it "interesting."  I want to think it's a good omen!  Another dirt road is named "Daisy" too. 

                         

    LIBBY            

          

                Agh!  I see a few Flies over there in the Corral near Libby, but thank goodness there are no Flies over here in our area yet.  I sure do hope God, that there aren't too many Flies around    this  Summer when the weather gets way, way hotter.  Flies can really drive you crazy!                  

            Libby's skinny black tail is "swatting" back and forth to keep the annoying Flies away.  Daisy and I snap at them and try to bite them but we've never caught one yet.  Both of us have at times wondered what a Fly would taste like if we ever did just happen to catch one.  Yuk!             

              Mr. Steve says Libby is about what's called fifteen "hands” tall, each hand four inches; or about the "width" of four human fingers.  I could never eat hay or oats, unless of course I was starving.  Libby is so nice, and just stays to herself in her Corral not bothering anyone. 

    

   MOLLY      

      

              I guess Libby is what's called a "Quarter" Horse, and her scent now a part of our lives; even in our dreams sometimes.  I sure miss Molly the Mule's scent and at times both Dais and I have wondered if Libby is lonely after she died.  Mr. Steve is not lonely being all alone.  

              Few people visit us anymore, but when they did used to like going up to the fence to pet Molly's nose and rub her head.  Remembering her totally unique scent right now is reminding me of when I first came over here to live.   Dais and I wish we could have said goodbye.                 

             Even though there were more Flies when Molly was alive, I miss hearing her voice in the mornings because her "braying" welcomed the day just like Heathcliff's crowing.  It was funny when that Crow jumped in surprise at Molly's loud voice that time.  I smell some Mesquite.

                                                     

              

"JACARANDA" TREES      

                

           All of a sudden I just thought about those "Jacaranda" trees I mentioned before; whose purple flowers "From a Distance" look like leaves.  My boss told Mr. Mike some of his memories from Sylmar are cleaning up all of the fallen Jacaranda flowers.  Mr. Mike chuckled I noticed.     

            Mr. Steve told his mom he had a dream about sweeping up the fallen purple flowers from a Jacaranda tree on Hagar Street.  Back in mid-1980's, when he, Mr. Mark and Miss Helen sold  things for Lakers, Kings and Lazers; their primary color was purple.  Heathcliff just crowed.      

            Daisy heard Mr. Mark in Hawaii's favorite color is purple.  He moved from "Milwaukee" to California in the early 1980's, and I'll always be so thankful he sold us you Elvira.  I just now thought of how Mr. Mark danced on "Soul Train" and got a date on "Love Connection."

   

                               "SOUL TRAIN"                  MR. MARK WITH SONS            "LOVE CONNECTION"

  

             Daisy says Mr. Mark in Hawaii plays guitar and keyboards.  Because he was usually low on money, he danced on Soul Train to get the food they gave you "In lieu Of" pay.  That means "Instead Of" money Dais told me.  All four of the Pigeons are flying out into the desert.    

             Mr. Mark visited us one time before he and his family moved to Hawaii.  He used to visit my boss when he lived on Hagar Street in Sylmar, and enjoyed playing my boss's drums.  Two of Mr. Mark's favorite Musicians are Jimi Hendrix and that other guy PRINCE Daisy heard. 

            Jimi Hendrix had a song called "Purple Haze," PRINCE'S movie is "Purple Rain."  In some years we have purple wildflowers around here.  Mr. Steve sells hats and one time talked with Mr. Julio, who embroiders them; about how purple is not what's called a "Stock" color. 

   

                             JIMI HENDRIX                                                         PRINCE

    

           I just thought of that New Testament Greek word "Rhêma," which might mean "The living Word."  This girl once told my boss, who feels the spirit of Rhêma in music and not just words; at times in history Rhêma has been associated with the color purple.  I smell Sage.  

           Mr. Steve joked Jacaranda trees are pretty, but you have to sweep them up quickly when the flowers fall off; because they turn "sticky."  It's "bad on paint" if they fall on your Car Mr. Mike said.  The "Clog Up" Pool Filters too so my boss's brother Sam doesn't like them.

           This Encyclopedia says the first Jacaranda trees were planted in a city south of us called "Fullerton" in 1931.  One time Mr. Steve sold some Season Tickets for the Basketball Lakers to a Baseball player named Gary Carter, who I'll write about in my books.  He was from Fullerton.

            

EMPEROR "JUSTINIAN I / EMPRESS THEODORA ("CONSTANTINOPLE")

         

           Dais saw this good tv show that said the original Roman Empire in Italy, where they spoke Latin; used red as their primary color.  When they fell the surviving Greek "Byzantine" Romans to the east adopted purple.  I can smell Bonnie and Clyde's babies up there in their nest.           

           Wow!  It says here some Jacaranda trees can live for a century, and grow to be forty feet tall.  A lady once told my boss meat "smoked" or cooked with Jacaranda wood tastes good.  In 1972 the Jacaranda was made the "Official" tree of "Glendale" where Miss Helen lived.    

            Miss Helen's neighbors joked about cutting down Jacaranda trees.  She said, until they worked for the Lakers, Kings and Lazers; she didn't care for the color purple.  Dais noticed how the Colorado "Rockies" Baseball team, and Minnesota "Vikings" in Football; use purple.  

      

DEEP PURPLE    

             

            Mr. Steve likes that English band DEEP PURPLE, who did a song about a Swiss Casino burning down.  Daisy thinks I'd like the famous main "Riff."  Daisy saw Mr. Steve and that kid Jason play it, and Mr. Dave says it's "a good song to practice your High Hat playing."     

            I'm kind of afraid of fire.  Daisy told me about that astounding machine in the kitchen called a "Microwave Oven," which heats things without even using fire.  If Mr. Steve wants to heat things, he can also use a ring of fire from a "Stove;" or gas from an "Oven."  Wow!

            Looking at Libby nibbling  the ground over there makes me think of Molly, who had big and very impressive ears.  Daisy says it's "small wonder" Donkeys and Mules can hear so well, and we'd hear better too if we had big ears.  There are two vapor trails up there in the sky.

                                 

       JACK THE JACKRABBIT            

         

                  Oh!  I see Jack the Jackrabbit sitting out there in the desert behind the Sheds, but it's so weird to see him not running.  This reminds me of when I was homeless out in that field and saw my first Jackrabbit.  I was shocked and couldn't believe my eyes at how big the ears were. 

            The Hawks up here in Piñon Hills like to eat Rabbits.  Mr. Steve thinks, like that one guy Charles Darwin said; Rabbits "Evolved" big ears so they could hear "Predators."  In order to "Adapt" and survive in our area; it was necessary for them to have extra good hearing.    

            I just heard in my head Molly the Mule's voice, which my boss once said was part of the "soundtrack" to our lives around here.  Hey God!  I appreciate this moment.  Mr. Steve told his mom living  in a desert makes him understand that old saying; "Stop and smell the Roses." 

                                                             "MONARCH" BUTTERFLY                      ROSES (SAN FERNANDO MISSION)                                                                                                                               PHOTO BY STEVE CÓRDOVA

          

            That Monarch Butterfly fluttered bye, which makes think of how Daisy heard they eat "Milkweed;" but also like flowers from those "Oleander" bushes our neighbor's have.  This tv show said Monarch Butterflies "Migrate" from Canada.  Mr. Steve took pictures of Roses.

            Wow!  My Encyclopedia says Monarch Butterflies use strong "air currents" to float or "glide" for "one thousand miles" in coming down here to Southern California and Northern Mexico.  That's the "longest migration" of any Insect in the world.  Libby's looking at me.

            Boy God!  Right now for some reason I really feel so happy.  Mr. Steve thinks, for "good and bad;" most of the time you "don't appreciate something until later" when that period of your life is over.  I used to so enjoy hearing Molly the Mule's voice and now she's gone.  

                 

                                                                             POISON        

                      

            One time Dais and Millie saw a tv show about that 1980's band POISON.  I guess they were originally from the State of "Pennsylvania," but came out here to Los Angeles.  Daisy says they're mainly Hard Rock "Glam" but have a "Ballad" called "Every Rose Has It's Thorn."

            I guess, when he was living on Hagar Street; that kid Michael called Mr. Steve and said, "Mr. Steve, have you ever noticed how the prettier the Oleander bushes are; the more there is to sweep up later when all the flowers fall off?"  Dais says he told Michael he did notice that.

          Mr. Steve and his parents enjoyed being Tour Guides at the San Fernando Mission.  Daisy saw a good picture Mr. Steve took of his parents and Grandma Córdova standing in front of the  "Córdova Fountain" in the "East Garden" of the Mission.  I smell the baby Cholla cactus.                      

"CORDOVA" FOUNTAIN          "S.F. MISSION                                PEACOCK                       

PHOTOS BY STEVE CÓRDOVA         

    

           Mr. Steve's father regrets not visiting that Spanish city of "Córdoba."  The "Design" of the Córdova Fountain, in the Mission's "East Garden;" is influenced by Muslim ideas.  Daisy      heard Mr. Steve and Miss Karin at work talk about a picture he took of a Mission Peacock."       

           I'd like to run around and smell the San Fernando Mission grounds someday.  My boss could even give us our own personal tour like he way he used to do.  That's why I need to learn    as much as I can about the Alta California Missions, just in case some day I get to go there.          

           Dais heard Mr. Steve and Miss Karin talk about how boy Peacocks, like the boy Finches around here; are more colorful than girl Peacocks.  Daisy thinks, because I like royal blue; I'd      love how male Peacocks are "fluorescent" color blue.   They have long colorful tails I guess.         

               

   MISS KARIN            

        

          I mentioned how Miss Karin, who sells the same things Mr. Steve, Susan and Babette do; lives in Sylmar.  And the place where she and her husband live used to have some Peacocks.  Up in the now high blue mid-afternoon sky a small flock of Birds is moving toward the east.               

      Peacocks used to just wander around the grounds at the San Fernando Mission, but not anymore from what Daisy's heard.  As Miss Karin and her husband know, Peacocks are nice to    look at but can be kind of a "messy" Bird too.  Andy's over there guarding their burrow.              

           All of a sudden, I just thought of the Aqueduct near us; that takes the water down to Los Angeles.  I remember that time Mr. Randy called it and the L.A. River "cement rivers."  Some poor people "low on food" sometimes Fish over there in the California Aqueduct he said.   

                                  

KENNY ROGERS

        

           Living homeless out in that field made me learn when to "stand my ground or run," but mostly run; which Mr. Steve calls "fight or flight."  His dad plays "Poker" and calls  it knowing  when to "Hold" or "Fold" your cards.  I can smell Bonnie and Clyde's babies up there.                

            Daisy heard Mr. Steve tell Mr. Dave his parents one time met this Country Music Singer named Kenny Rogers and his wife.  I guess Kenny Rogers wrote a song about gambling.  Both Mr. Steve and his father tell everyone never to gamble, unless you can "afford to lose."  

            At C.S.U.N. Mr. Steve took classes in "Inductive" and "Deductive" logic.  Inductive logic deals with the "Laws of Probabilities," like which cards you're "likely to be dealt" to get Poker hands that will win.  Deductive logic deals with "Known and Absolute" things like numbers.

    

  MR. STEVE'S FATHER ON LEFT  ("KOREAN" WAR)  

     

                  During the Korean War, while in the Marines; Mr. Steve's father played a lot of Poker.  I've mentioned before how, there are now South Koreans living near us; and some are Farmers who grow that "Jujube" fruit.  Koreans make good food like soup with jujube Daisy heard.    

            My boss knows an older Korean couple.  They like practicing English with him, and said jujube is "like a date;" and "can be medicine" too.  Daisy says Mr. Steve told his Niece Steph, a really good Cook herself; how Koreans like to eat chips dipped into this "Soybean" sauce. 

            We have a washer and dryer but sometimes Mr. Steve takes clothes to a "Cleaner" over in Phelan.  A really nice Korean lady is always there and Mr. Steve can tell she's not Buddhist but Christian.  Hey Lord!  Daisy heard there's now a Korean Christian Church near us.

    

 "KOREAN" WAR         

                 

             That one Korean couple, who both lost family in the Korean War; told Mr. Steve to say "thank you" to his father for fighting back then.  Mr. Steve relayed that message to  dad who just said, "Tell them you're welcome."   Mr. Steve's father gave candy to Korean kids.

             According to that couple Koreans first settled here in the early-1990's.  This Restaurant called "The Place Where the Clouds Rest" attracted South Koreans, who noticed how the land kind of resembled areas where they grew up.  Donald and Daisy are quacking over there.

           Daisy says the Korean lady said she was living in "Garden Grove" but when she saw our area she liked it way better and wanted to move here.   Mr. Steve told her and her husband how he once sold Boxing season tickets to a Barber in Garden Grove.  A Train whistled faintly.    

                                                      

   LOS ANGELES "KOREATOWN"                 

  PHOTO BY "DISCOVER LOS ANGELES"                     

                           

                    Another thing my boss and that Korean couple talked about is an area of Los Angeles called "Koreatown."  Mr. Steve told them, he's driven on "Olympic" Boulevard a few times over the years; and so has his father.  One time he even took pictures at a Koreatown wedding.

            Dawn's barking.  Mr. Steve thinks I'm a good "Bluffer" when I  pretend to be mean in guarding our two acres, which Dais thinks funny because Mr. Steve jokes it's "not a good thing" when image or perception become more important than reality."  I smell Joshua trees.

            I think, if anyone ever does try to invade us, Daisy and I will both protect our land.  We have sharp teeth and I can bite hard.  The Australian Shepard in Dais makes her first instinct to "herd," so Mr. Steve laughs seeing her trying to pin me in a corner; but I'm too "Elusive." 

  

   JOE FRAZIER / MUHAMMAD ALI