Book 2 Chapter 10

         II     

     (Book 2 / Chapter 10)

                                                                                      COGNITO, ERGO; SUM   

                                       BE GRATEFUL                  

                                                                             

       4:30  

             

AFTERNOON CALIFORNIA HIGH DESERT  

      

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

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

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

     

GROUND SQUIRREL BABIES

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

            A little Sparrow darted in and landed on one of the big boulders around the bottom of the Mulberry tree.  But, since the water basin is empty this late in the day it didn't stick around; and now just zoomed away quickly.  Sometimes Mr. Steve refills the basins later in the day    

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

               

                                                               CHUCK YEAGER 

              

            Seeing that long vapor trail makes me think of Chuck Yeager who, as I mentioned in book one; in 1947 was the first Pilot to fly a Plane faster than the "Speed of Sound" or "Supersonic."  I guess he made the first rumbling Sonic Boom in history.  Andy's sniffing the air over there.        

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

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

   KELLY JOHNSON / FRANCIS GARY POWERS                                 SR-71 "BLACKBIRD"                                                                                         

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

        A photo shows Kelly Johnson with that Pilot Francis Gary Powers.  Behind behind them you can see an SR-71 "Spy Plane" like the one Francis Gary Powers,  in 1960; was shot down in when he tried to fly over and spy on the Soviet Union.  Mr. Steve was five years old in 1960.          

        I've mentioned how Mr. Steve's sister Susan studied "Interior Design" in College.  For two years she went to "U.C.S.B." up there in Santa Barbara.  Then, she graduated from "C.S.U.N."  two years after that.  Blackbeard and Anne are now flying over Libby's Corral over there.                          

   SUSAN / CELINA                                              U.C.S.B.CAMPUS           

             

          Daisy one time heard our boss and his sister Susan talk about those annual family Summer vacations up to "Santa Barbara."  Mr. Steve used to talk about those days with his sister Celina who died.  Everyone still has some very pleasant memories of all those trips up the coast.            

        When our boss's sister Susan attended U.C.S.B. her boyfriend was that guy Mike.  He was Kelly Johnson's Nephew, and she went with him to some big barbeques at Kelly Johnson's Santa Barbara Ranch.  Fannie and Freddie, talking to each other; are flying toward the east.                  

          According to what Daisy heard, Susan's boyfriend Mike's last name was "Powers," but she "never heard anything" about him being related to that Pilot Francis Gary Powers.  I've written how it was Kelly Johnson who first developed that Lockheed "U-2" Plane.  I smell Sage.            

                                                     

     LOCKHEED "U-2"       

      

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

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

          Andy's over there guarding the entrance to their burrow and I can tell he knows I'm over here on Elvira.  Oh!  Cher is totally asleep on top of Moe, and I didn't even notice her jump up    there at all.  Someday I really want to hear some of the songs by that one band called U2.                                

U2

          One time Dais heard our boss and Mr. Dave talk about how U2 is Irish.  I guess, some of their songs are those "Anthems" I written about; which is why they put on really good concerts.  I just pick up both Cher and Andy's scents which came in on a slight breeze from the east.            

       Mr. Steve says he's only familiar with U2's most famous songs, but likes the ones he has heard.  Both he and Mr. Dave have also noticed how solid the bass and drums rhythm section is.  I remember last Summer when Daisy and I were here on Elvira and smelled Andy and Cher.        

        According to what Dais heard Mr. Dave say that time, he really likes the "atmospheric tones" U2's Guitarist creates; which he called "soaring."  From what Daisy says, Millie heard a  few U2 songs and thought they were catchy.  The Singer also has a good voice Daisy thinks.                                                                     

2014 FORD "EDGE"

       

         Daisy told me how the Guitarist in U2 is nicknamed "Edge," and there's a Car with that name too.  One time a really friendly lady dropped something off here at our house, and she was  driving an Edge according to what Daisy saw.  Fred, Ed and Ted are flying toward the east.          

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

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

F-35 LIGHTNING"

(FLYING OVER THE "MOJAVE" DESERT)

PHOTO BY CHAD BELLAY

  

          Oh!  Writing about the U2 Plane makes me remember I was supposed to talk about a new Jet also tested over there at Edwards A.F.B.  It's called the "F-35 Lightning."  This tv show Dais  and Millie saw said it's built by that "Lockheed" company Kelly Johnson worked for.                   

            Mr. Cliff read about the F-35, and one morning as our boss watered the big Mulberry tree up in the front yard they talked about it.   He says it has that radar avoiding "stealth" capability I've written about, and the Marines used the first ones in 2006.  Linda and Blue Boy flew bye.      

          The F-35 can fly "in any weather" we heard Mr. Cliff say, and "takes off vertically" from an Aircraft Carrier.  He called it "versatile," because it can be used for "striking" or bombing, or "reconnaissance."   Mr. Cliff talked about hearing those loud "Sonic Booms" one time.                                                                          

2014 CHEVROLET "SONIC"

       

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

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

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

SONIC YOUTH 

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

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

      One night in the living room Daisy and Millie watched a tv show with Mr. Steve, about how Planes like the U-2 and F-35 are used to defend the U.S.; along with Missiles and Radar System    are also used too.  Smelling little Blinky over there is right now making me feel really good.          

                 

    "CHEYENNE MOUNTAIN" COMPLEX 

         ( "NORAD" / COLORADO)       

PHOTOS BY DANIEL TERDIMAN

 

      Daisy and Millie saw this tv show about the organization in charge of "monitoring and defending" U.S. "Airspace" during the "Cold War."   The main five acre headquarters is built,    and protected under; two thousand feet of a granite "Colorado" mountain.  I smell Blinky.          

          "NORAD" is one of those abbreviations, and just stands for "North American Aerospace Defense."  This Encyclopedia says it's people whose job it is to "detect and counter" any attack    coming in to hit the U.S.  I smell the clump of Joshua trees over near Libby's Corral.                     

     It says here NORAD also represents Canada too, and until 1981 was called the "North American Air Defense Command."  The facility is built on thousands of springs for "flexibility"  in an attack, has special air filters; and giant tanks to store liquids.  I like how Blinky smells.                        

LATE AFTERNOON SKY

    

         According to what Dais and Millie heard, one time our boss bought and sold things from a lady.  She said her husband was, "for a time;" stationed at that underground NORAD facility in Colorado.  I just now noticed how some pretty puffy clouds have formed up there in the sky.        

        I guess that NORAD complex in Colorado is named after those "Cheyenne" Indians.  The lady whose husband was stationed there learned about that tribe and its long history Daisy says.  Heathcliff crowed, his Hens clucking and cackling happily makes me feel pretty good.                   

        Mr. Dave knows about Cheyenne Indians, who this Encyclopedia says they call themselves "Tsitsistas" or; "The People."  Daisy heard that lady tell our boss the name Cheyenne is what        their "sometimes enemy sometimes ally" the Lakota called them.  I smell old Mesquite.                          

CHEYENNE "DOG SOLDIER" 

          

          Our boss told Mr. Dave as a kid he painted a "Figurine" of a Cheyenne "Dog Soldier," but it was one of the things destroyed in the 1971 earthquake.  My Encyclopedia calls Dog Soldiers a "military society."  The lady said they kind of reminded her of the ancient Greek "Spartans."     

        Dais says you had to be brave to be a Cheyenne Dog Warrior, Mr. Dave heard in battle they "tied" or "pinned" themselves to the ground; to "prevent treating."  This Encyclopedia calls it    being "tethered to one spot."  Wow!  They're like those Japanese "Kamikaze" Soldiers.                

     The lady mentioned "holding your ground" when talking with Mr. Steve about those Dog Soldiers.  I guess, Mr. Dave called it fighting "to the death;" or what World War II the Japanese  fighting men used to do rather than surrender.  Two Crows are fighting out in the desert.                             

      "DOG" WARRIORS                                       "SPARTAN" WARRIORS     

        Daisy says our boss told Mr. Dave how that lady compared those Dog Soldiers to the three hundred Spartans, who died defending that pass in "Thermopylae" back in 480 B.C.  Their duty was to gain time for and defend, dying if necessary; the Greek people.  And they died alright.       

        When Dog Soldiers went into battle they painted their faces, at times to look like black and white skulls Dais told me.   My Encyclopedia says Cheyenne tribes speak one of those back east  "Algonquin" languages.   I smell Dawn, Blinky and Rosie standing near the fence over there.       

     It says here "by the 19th century," like the Lakota; Cheyenne's were one of those "Horse Cultures."  In the early 18th century they, and other tribes like Lakota and "Arapaho's" for        example; had been "forced to flee west" from what is now "Minnesota."  Heathcliff crowed.                                          

18TH /19TH CENTURY "PLAINS" INDIAN HORSE CULTURE      

  PAINTING BY BOB CORONATO                                                                                                                                                                     

   

          For those tribes "forced west" by other tribes in the early 1700's, it turned out to be one of those "Blessings in Disguise."  By then all of those wild Horses had migrated up into the "Great  Plains" too.  I really like the mask with horns on it the Horse is wearing in that one painting.       

          Hey God!  Did You give the Native people on the North American Plains a gift?  Daisy says Mr. Dave told our boss he thinks You did and I think it sounds like something You might just do. I mean, You had Mr. Steve go and rescue me out of that field by first owner dumped me in.          

       Yesterday I wrote about how, in the early 16th century; the Spanish brought Horses, Pigs and Sheep here to the "New World" from Europe.  Horses made it easier for Indians travel from one place to another,  and less dangerous to hunt the Buffaloes too.  A Train just whistled.                   

"EOHIPPUS" HORSE     

     

          I just thought of the little miniature Horse "Eohippus," which was the size of a Cat like Cher.   If our boss or Mr. Dave could borrow Mr. Peabody's time machine Dais thinks they'd go  back and see some of those Eohippus's running around.  They must've been so cute I'll bet.          

          Boy!  It's too bad little Eohippus is now totally "Extinct."   If someone were ever to find one Daisy and I would volunteer to raise it for sure.  Oh!  I just looked up in time to see Samson  and Delilah chasing, and yelling at; what may be another boy Raven trying to steal Delilah.          

         As I said in book one, the Horse was "Reintroduced" to North and South America; after Columbus' "discovered" the "New World" for Europe.  Eohippus and other types of Horses had gone "Extinct" over here thousands of years before.  I small the new baby Cholla cactus.              

                 

BENJAMIN 

 

          Benjamin just went running bye, but now lifted off and is flying out into the a back desert behind the Sheds.  Even from a distance you can really see how unique a Bronze Cow Birds eyes are.   Mr. Ramon the Auto Mechanic up on the Highway likes their orange eyes Dais heard.          

         Mr. Dave read, when the Cheyenne, Lakota and Arapaho were forced to the west out onto the Northern Plains; they themselves pushed out or "displaced" the "Kiowa" tribes.  They had    to  escape to the Southern Plain.  Ugh!  But that's where those fierce "Comanche's lived.               

         I just now thought of how, before they had Horses; the Plains Indians used us Dogs to pull things around on those "Travois" wagons I've mentioned.  They didn't know about the wheel      yet. Bigger Horses could drag way heavier weight so the "Range" was also much increased.         

                    

                                   LIBBY                                                       BUFFALO HUNTING ON HORSE                                                                                                      

         Libby's over there nibbling the ground for any leftover scraps of hay from this morning. For some reason seeing her right now is making me think of how the Plains Indians, before they  had Horses; hunted those huge Buffaloes on foot which is so dangerous.  I can smell Libby.           

         One time Mr. Steve and his sister Susan talked about her Horses "Dinky," "Apache" and "Shanique," her Horses when growing up down there in Sylmar.  They also fondly remembered  their father's brown Horse "Poco," or "Small" in Spanish.   Poco was not a little Horse.               

      I've written before about how, when Hernando Córtez and his Spanish Conquistadores landed on Mexico's east coast in 1519; they had those sixteen Horses with them.  And because the Native people had never seen one it really scared them.  Blackbeard and Anne are flying bye.                           

"CONQUEST" OF THE AZTECS   

(1519-1521)       

       

          Boy!  Looking at Libby over there is making me wonder what the Aztec Indians thought when they first saw and smelled a Horse.  I guess, from what Dais heard; at first they thought      they might be like those "Half Man Half Horse" ancient Greek "Minotaurs."  I smell Sage.          

           It's so amazing to think that, from 1519 through the early 1700's; Cortez's sixteen Horses "multiplied into thousands" in North America.  And, from what it says in my Encyclopedia; that was because "the natural environment" was "ideal for reproduction."  Andy's looking at me.      

       Libby's over there walking around slowly near the back of her Corral next to Primavera Road, and seeing some long thin clouds hanging over the eastern desert is making me think of      that that time last Summer when Daisy and I were sitting here on you Elvira.  I feel so good.                                         

""NIKE" MISSILES

(1960-1970'S / "CHATSWORTH" MISSILE BASE)

    

           Writing about NORAD makes me suddenly think of the "Nike" mssiles" I've mentioned  before.  One time Daisy and Millie heard our boss talking with his father about how important    they were during the "Cold War."  Theodora ran bye and is now flying out into the desert.           

           Mr. Steve told his dad about "Rumors" that, for a long time; the San Gabriel mountains above Sylmar were hollow with Nike "interceptor" missiles to knock down "incoming" bombs.  And, I guess it turned out there were Mike missiles around the Valley.  Heathcliff crowed.            

         The scent of Beavertail cactus just came floating in, which makes me feel good.   Ah!  And now I can smell the new baby Cholla cactus growing over there in the dirt.  Samson and Delilah   are flying bye, and with their flapping wings in synch; are moving together to the northeast.                                                    "BEAVERTAIL" CACTUS                                                    CACTUS                          

                    

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

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

        According to what Dais heard our boss say, in the 1960's members of CACTUS were in this other band VANILLA FUDGE; who influenced early DEEP PURPLE.  I guess Mr. Steve has one of their albums on a vinyl record.  Some called CACTUS the "American LED ZEPPELIN."        

                    

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

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

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

   At the "Battle of the Coral Sea" in May of 1942 Miss Sandy's fathers' Ship the "U.S.S. Lexington" was sunk, which makes me wonder if I can swim.  That big battle ended up being a "Draw."  It sort of sounds like those Crows might be fighting over a girl Crow.                              

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

             

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

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

        Dais one time heard our boss tell Mr. Dave, who I've mentioned before was in the Navy; how his dad has studied all the things that happened in the "Pacific" Theater of World War II.  You can tell Mr. Steve's father admires that man Admiral Nimitz from what Daisy heard.             

              

MR. STEVE'S PARENTS 

PHOTO BY RODERICK CÓRDOVA

        

          One time our boss and Mr. Dave talked about how Mr. Steve's father volunteered to fight in the Korean War.  He originally wanted to go into the Navy but couldn't do it, so ended up just  being in the Marines instead.   There are some nice skinny clouds up in the afternoon sky.             

        Daisy says our boss told Mr. Dave his father now chuckles, and shakes his head; when he thinks how "naïve"  he was in early 1951.  They needed "Combat" Soldiers quickly, and really    didn't need any more Sailors.   Mr. Steve cringes when thinking of himself at age nineteen.           

         Mr. Steve tells fathers who get frustrated with their young sons, think about themselves at that age.   When young you think you "know it all," when in fact you "know very little."  Linda and Blue Boy are flying over Libby's Corral and moving together toward the northeast.              

                                                                    U.S.S. "INDIANAPOLIS"                                  

     

          Ugh!  I just thought about that time in 1945 when a Japanese Submarine sank that Ship the U.S.S. "Indianapolis."   I wrote about how it was on its way back from delivering the Atomic  bomb.  There was a big "Mixup" so hundreds of Sailors were eaten by those packs of Sharks.      

       Our boss told Mr. Dave his Uncle "Gil" was able to join the Navy in 1952.  His fear of Sharks would've "prevented" that, and he would rather be in a war on land.  Mr. Dave was also in the Navy so thinks it "sort of  funny" when Mr. Steve talks about his fear of Sharks.                  

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

     

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

 

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

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

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

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

            Daisy heard our boss tell Mr. Dave his father was "particularly interested" when he read Chester Nimitz Jr. and his wife committed suicide together; which he and his wife may do if they are "ever in pain."  I really like how Blinky, Dawn and Rosie's scents are so blended.                   

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

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

     PHOTO BY HENRY DILTZ                                                                                                                                                                          

       27        

           Even though I'm not scheduled to learn about that "27 Club" until tomorrow, I can say a little bit about it now too.  Mr. Dave read the DOORS Jim Morrison's father was in the Navy at the "Gulf of Tonkin" at the beginning of the "Vietnam War."  A Train whistled faintly.                

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

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

                 KURT COBAIN (1967-1994)                 

 

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

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

           Daisy noticed, in NIRVANA'S Video for "Smells like Teen Spirit;" a Janitor is mopping a floor.  Smelling Beavertail cactus makes me think of how that Parts Manager up in Washington said one of the last places Kurt Cobain ate at was the "Cactus" restaurant.  Libby whinnied.                 

    BLIND MELLON 

     

        Daisy heard Mr. Dave tell our boss about a band called BLIND MELLON, whose Singer died of a drug overdose.  He missed being in the 27 Club by a month Mr. Dave said, and had a      good hit song about the rain according to Dais.  A flock of Birds is flying toward the east.             

         Mr. Dave read BLIND MELLON got their name from what one band members dad called "Hippie Losers."  Our boss and Mr. Dave talked about Cheech and Chong's character "Blind      Mellon Chitlin," which was based on the 1920's Blues Musician "Blind Mellon" Jefferson.        

         BLIND MELLON'S Singer, who sounds like CANNED HEAT'S Singer; came out here to Los Angeles from "Indiana," and became friends with GUNS N' ROSES Singer who was also      from Indiana.  Mr. Rich described BLIND MELLON as "psychedelic alternative music."            

                        

    2014 BUICK "ENCORE"

            

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

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

          Miss Karin's Buick customer said Encore's have only been around for about two or three years, and used the word "crossover" to describe them.  Fannie and Freddie, talking to each other; are flying over Libby's Corral moving toward the south.  She's looking up at them.                      

NIRVÃNA 

 

          Oh!  I just thought of that "Grunge" band NIRVANA, and the religious "Concept" of the same name.  "Nirvãna" partly means a feeling of "completeness" Daisy heard, and the religions of Buddhism, Hindism and Sikhism say it's a "state of release or salvation.  I smell Sage.             

         Mr. Steve's customer Mr. Harry, who's Sikh; told him the "Jain" religion also believes in the idea of Nirvãna too.  Someday I want to hear NIRVANA songs, which Daisy and Millie think are "sad but catchy and melodic."  Dawn's barking, which is making me feel so alive.                  

        I guess, Mr. Harry told our boss Nirvãna can also refer to "liberation from "Duhkha" or "suffering;" interpreted as a "temporary escape" from the "cycle of life and death."  Life is "a    struggle everywhere," but even more difficult in India Mr. Harry says.  A Lizard ran bye.           

            

                   "PEACOCK" THRONE                                 S.F. MISSION PEACOCK                                                   ART BY SHAKTI GHOSAL                                                                                                       PHOTO BY STEVE CÓRDOVA                                                                                  

      One time our boss and his mom talked about India's 17th century "Mughal" Empire's Peacock" throne.  I wrote before how the Mughal Empire, "Sunni" type Muslims; conquered      northern India.  Mr. Hussein down there in Sylmar; knows about that elaborate throne.              

      Wow!  This color picture shows that Peacock throne, which Mr. Steve's mom studied in College.  I like the blue, red and yellow "stained glass windows" behind it.  Hey Elvira!  I'd take your cushions over the ones of that throne, even if they are a torn and sort of worn out.                

          I can totally see why they call it the Peacock throne, which it says here was built by that guy Shah Jahan.  He also built that famous building for his wife's tomb, called the "Taj Mahal;" which Mr. Steve's mom and Mr. Hussein discussed.  A flock of Birds is flying over the desert.                                                                                                      "TAJ MAHAL"                              SHAH JAHAN (1592-1666)                   

                                                                                           ARTWORK BY  KAILASH RAJ  

                      

        This Encyclopedia shows the Taj Mahal, where Shah Jahan's wife is buried.  No wonder Daisy heard our boss's mom say, and Mr. Hussein agrees with; it's one of the "most beautiful of all buildings ever created."  Heathcliff crowed and all of his Hens are clucking so happily.            

           Mr. Hussein said northern India, where the Mughal's conquered; had Hindu's, Buddhists and Sikh's in it.  It says here Shah Jahan also fought wars against the Portuguese, and had to "suppress" a few rebellions during his time in power.  Mr. Steve has a replica Mughal knife.        

        Shah Jahan "eliminated any rivals to his throne" and, when he died; his three sons then fought each other I guess.  In 1739, or a century after it was built; the Peacock throne was "loot" taken by the "Persians."  I'll bet Shah Jahan was really paranoid just like Joseph Stalin.                                                                                                                                            AKBAR "THE GREAT" (1542-1605)            

ARTWORK BY VADIM DOLGOV          

      

       It says here, Sha Jahan "reversed" some of the "liberal political reforms" of that 3rd century Mughal Emperor "Akbar the Great."  Mr. Steve's father thinks Akbar the Great sounds like a good leader, who used "marriage alliances" to keep peace.  Two of the Pigeons flew bye.     

           Like many people in history, Mr. Akbar had a really long name; which was just reduced down to only one.  Daisy and Millie saw a tv show about him which said, unlike most leaders in the 16th century; he "rarely indulged in cruelty."  Ivan "The Terrible" lived during that time.     

         The tv show said Akbar the Great was "more tolerant" than other leaders from his time.  He was Sunni but tried to be fair with some of those "Shia's" I've written about.  It says here his religion, "Don-i llahi;" combined Islam with Hinduism, Zoroastrianism and Christianity.             

                                                                                           MISS KARIN                                                      PEACOCK            

                      (AT WORK IN SAN FERNANDO)                                ("SAN FERNANDO" MISSION)                    

                                                                                                                                                     PHOTO BY STEVE CÓRDOVA

                                  

         Yesterday I wrote about how that girl Miss Karin at work lives with her husband on a property where they have some of those Peacock Birds.  She and Mr. Steve one time talked about that Peacock        throne.  Mr. Steve thinks Miss Karin is a really good Salesperson who's reliable and learns quickly.            

         Someday I hope to see the photos our boss took for those early 1990's Art Exhibits he and his mom had of the San Fernando Mission.  One was of that Peacock standing on a short fence    in front of a sign mentioning that man Father de Lasuén.  I can smell Bravo Company.                 

         Daisy says our boss and his mom one time talked about this big diamond which was on the Peacock throne, but now is mounted in one of the British crowns the women wear.  According to my Encyclopedia it's called the "Koh-l-Noor" diamond.   Andy's over there sniffing the air.                                                     

"KOH-l-NOOR" DIAMOND

   

           From what it says here in my Encyclopedia, some people say that big diamond was found in India way back in about 3,200 B.C.  A tv show Daisy saw mentioned how over the years many  leaders who "possessed it died violently."  Boy!  I'll bet it had one of those "Curses" on it.           

          Emperor Shah Jahan's Peacock throne was finished in 1635.  The diamond is "191 metric carats" in size, and Koh-l-Noor would be translated in Persian to mean "Mountain of Light."   I  guess that huge diamond has always been seen as being a "symbol of great power and wealth."    

      Boy!  If we ever had that diamond we'd have plenty of money but, as Daisy points out; it might be like Sister Rita Joseph said.  We might just get it as a "Curse," which is why so many    who've had it were killed by greedy people trying to steal it.  A Train just whistled faintly.                                                

QUEEN VICTORIA (1819-1901)                        MR. PHILLIP                     

          

          I just thought of that lady Queen Victoria, who was born on May the 24th, which is also Mr. Steve's parents wedding anniversary.  That Koh-l-Noor diamond was  given to her in 1849.  Daisy says Mr. Phillip from Wales has read things about that gigantic Koh-l-Noor diamond.         

       My Encyclopedia says in 1849 British colonial authorities, that "East India Company;" "coerced" a "Punjabi" leader into "handing over" the Koh-l-Noor diamond.  But I guess Queen Victoria seldom wore, not liking the way it had been "acquired."  Libby is whinnying.                  

          The governments of India, Pakistan and Afghanistan want the Koh-l-Noor diamond given back to them, but England so far has said no way.  I agree with Daisy in thinking we would want to keep it too, just in case someday we might need some money.  Two of the Pigeons flew bye.       

                         

             BUNNY RABBIT                               "THE TORTOISE AND THE HARE"

           Smelling Jack the Jackrabbit right now makes me think of that ancient Greek story about the arrogant Rabbit who lost a foot race to a Turtle. I guess, Mr. Steve's dad talked about how      Edith Hamilton wrote about that old story.  We also have "Bunny" Rabbits around here.              

         Daisy says that old story, from "Aesop's Fables;" warns you about not being conceited or "Underestimate an Opponent."  Even a last place team can beat a first place team on "any given day" our boss and his father think.  Look at how that Boxer Buster Douglas beat Mike Tyson.     

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

                     PHOTO BY B. KATZUNG               

                                      

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

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

          In the story the Turtle wins the race, and the Rabbit gets really mad I guess; but it was his own fault Dais says because he "Took Things for Granted" so to speak.  There are  times when    you have what's called a "Deadline" so you can't just "Take your Time."  I smell Mesquite.         

                

THREE CROSSES    

("TRES CRUCES" / "TOMÉ," NEW MEXICO)

PHOTO BY BUD RUSSO

       

          Hey Lord!  I was supposed to write about that town of "Tomé," to the east of Belén; but missed it on my book one outline.   Mr. Steve's parents are familiar with Tomé, and Mr. Ralph      says he's read about the three crosses up on a hill there.  A Train whistled faintly to my left.         

           I've mentioned how that other big city "Las Cruces" also has three crosses on a hill.  The people from Tomé call themselves "Toméseños" Lord,  and celebrate holidays in honor of You and Your Blessed Mother.  Our boss's bother Rock's girlfriend Miss Judy is from Las Cruces.     

        Growing up in Belén and Jarales Lord, both of our boss's parents, and their brothers and sisters; went to Tomé for Christian-themed events.  Mr. Steve's mom has told her family how she's had dreams about all of the good food at those ceremonies.  I smell Beavertail cactus.                 

  

IGLESIA DE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION"  ("TOMÉ)

        Blessed Mother!  Mr. Steve's parents both remember Tomé's old Church, and the "Long standing Traditions" inherited from the Spanish.  They think it's very sad many old community activities aren't done anymore.  I've mentioned before how "Iglesia" is "Church" in Spanish.      

         In May, all over the world considered Your month Mother Mary; they pray, sing and dance at those "Fiesta" parties I've mentioned.  Boy!  I would love to go to a party someday, and then I could dance and celebrate as much as I want.   Two of the Pigeons are flying bye.               

          Our boss told Mr. Ralph his parents, and their generation; have fond memories of times in Tomé.  Daisy says they had an event where, between Tomé and "Adelino;"people prayed as they carried a beautiful statue of You Blessed Mother.  Seeing those Pigeons makes me feel good.         

     

            PROCESSION UP "CERRO DE TOMÉ"  ("TOME HILL")         

           PHOTO BY BUD RUSSO                                                                PHOTO BY "DRY HEAT" PHOTOGRAPHY

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

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

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

MR. STEVE'S MOM                                                COUSIN BEATRICE      

                                                                                                                            

          One time Daisy heard our boss talk with his mom about her and her Cousin "Beatrice" time as "Girl Scouts."  Every year they carried a cross to the top of a tall hill in New Mexico,  the Troop visiting it every year.  Christopher Columbus's wife was also named Beatrice too.                

         I've mentioned before how Mr. Steve's mom and her Cousin Beatrice in Pico Rivera are lifelong best friends to this day, and Mr. Steve has some fond memories of visiting her family on  holidays.  I just noticed Benjamin the Cow Bird run bye.  Thank You for Birds God.                    

           Daisy says whenever our boss sees Girl Scout's selling their cookies every year he buys a lot and gives some away to people like Mr. Mark and Karma.  He also buys candy from kids who are raising money for one thing or another, often for their school.  I smell Andy over there.                                                                            

ANGELINE AND BABIES

                   

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

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

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

                 

BLESSED VIRGIN MARY 

                 

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

          Daisy thinks we're lucky that our boss listens to many types of music because we can learn about the different styles too.   But, if I weren't so afraid of enclosed areas I could hear way more music and see more tv.  Andy's sniffing the air, and is now looking at me over here on Elvira.  

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

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

               

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

          I guess the kid ended up comparing "Sails of Charon" by the German band SCORPIONS to "Flaming Telepaths" by BLUE ÖYSTER CULT.  B.Ö.C., from New York City; at times sound Jewish to him.  He thinks Sails of Charon "may have been" influenced by Richard Wagner.  

         Richard Wagner wrote powerful music Dais says.  That's why a "Megalomaniac" like that guy Adolph Hitler liked it so much.  Our boss also hears Middle Eastern type sounds in Sails of Charon.  Both Sails of Charon and Flaming Telepaths have good guitar solos Dais told me.  

 

                                        SCORPIONS                                                     BLUE ÖYSTER CULT                     

                                                                                                            

                  Just as our boss hears Richard Wagner in the SCORPIONS song Sails of Charon, he can hear Jewish influences in that guy Buck Dharma's guitar solos in B.Ö.C.'S song.  But a fey years ago he was told Buck Dharma is not Jewish.  The four Pigeons are flying toward the east.

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

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

         

                                                                                                        RAINBOW          

      

        I'm really looking forward to someday hearing songs by RAINBOW, the band Guitarist Ritchie Blackmore started after he left DEEP PURPLE.  That Singer Ronnie James Dio was in    RAINBOW for a while.  RAINBOW has members from England and America Dais heard.           

         Daisy's told me about that RAINBOW song called "Stargazer," which Millie really liked.  In Stargazer "Dio," who wrote the lyrics; sings about this Wizard; and Ritchie Blackmore's solo sounds Middle Eastern or Arabic; maybe even Jewish our boss thinks.  Dawn's barking.               

          This lady who was a "Vocal Coach" once told our boss Ritchie Blackmore's Stargazer solo was done in a "harmonic minor scale." It's so "exotic" Daisy thinks, and she heard our boss tell Mr. Rich part of it reminds him of Buck Dharma's Flaming Telepaths solo.  I smell Sage.                                                

RONNIE JAMES DIO (1942-2010)  

                 

                 I've mentioned before how, when he replaced Ozzie Osbourne as BLACK SABBATH'S Singer; Ronnie James Dio started making the devil's horn "Malocchio" hand gesture.  It's now "associated" with Heavy Metal music because he "popularized" it.  Heathcliff just crowed.

             Boy!  I'm so tempted to learn about that malocchio sign now but, I'd better wait and do it tomorrow according to the way Daisy and I decided to do it.  Mr. Dave said he thinks Dio songs are "arranged well and thought out."  A small Sparrow carrying a twig went running bye. 

            Mr. Steve did art for that lady who was a Vocal Coach, and showed her the pictures he took of Dio.  She said in Stargazer he sang with good "diction," and in "building and dropping" his voice; "paints a picture" about the Wizard.  Dais told me she called it "well balanced."  

   

RITCHIE BLACKMORE

   

                  One time Mr. Rich told our boss Ritchie Blackmore, just Stevie Ray Vaughn; can use his guitar as a voice to almost talk.  Daisy likes a RAINBOW song about this man who lives up on a mountain made of silver.   Mr. Steve used to try to play along to it back in the late 1970's .

            I guess after he left RAINBOW Dio had his own band; which our boss took pictures of.  Dais told me Millie, and Mr. Steve too; really like his song about this rainbow coming out of the dark.  Seeing Libby over there walking around her Corral is making me feel pretty good.

           Daisy told me about that Dio song called "Holy Diver."  Mr. Steve has a sword like the one he holds in the Video she noticed.  Even though he's only five feet four, like AC/DC's brothers; is very powerful.  Mr. Dave heard his "breath control" comes from playing trumpet as a kid. 

  

RONNIE JAMES DIO

PHOTO BY STEVE CÓRDOVA

              Daisy heard that Vocal Coach lady tell Mr. Steve in Stargazer Dio hits "B" and "C" notes "routinely," and "seemingly with ease."  She said there are many "Tenor" Singers who can't do that with "regularity."  Long clouds are floating bye way up there in the afternoon high sky.

          Our boss told that lady about his ideas on the Biblical concept of "Rhêma," and how he thinks the phrase "The Living Word" can also be applied to the uplifting feeling music can give you too.   Ronnie James Dio's voice, at times a growl; does that.  She agreed with him.

          Mr. Steve read Dio was born on July 10th, or day after his birthday.  That lady told him he had no "formal training" as a Singer.  He "instinctively used techniques and embellishments;" like "operatic vibrato;" when he sang.   I love watching clouds moving slowly across the sky.   

  

                                               CHARLES MANSON                                      JIM JONES

                Daisy says our boss and the lady talked about that RAINBOW song Stargazer.  It's about a Wizard who makes people build a tall tower, so he can be up high and closer to You God; but it turned out he was wrong and ended up falling down to his death.  Libby whinnied over there.

           That song Stargazer is warning people not to believe, or have faith in; one of those "False Prophets" I've written about.  Most Hippies were not bad but some "blindly followed" Charles Manson and Jim Jones Mr. Steve says.  His father thinks "Individualism" is very important.   

          Hey God!  I guess, in Stargazer when the Wizard falls to the ground; Ritchie Blackmore's guitar describes his trip down.  So the people ended doing all that hard work for nothing Daisy says.  A flock of Birds are flying over Libby's Corral and moving toward the northeast.    

           

"TOWER OF BABEL"                                  "ZIGGURAT"             

                                     ("BOOK OF "GENESIS")                                         ("UR," / "MESOPOTAMIA")                                

                 Daisy says that lady Vocal Coach joked RAINBOW'S song Stargazer reminded her of that Old Testament story about the "Tower of Babel."  Mr. Steve heard Ronnie James Dio, who's Italian-American like Mr. Rick; was Roman Catholic just like us.  I smell Andy over there.

            A "Bird's Eye View" photo shows one of those huge "Ziggurat" type buildings, "before and after" it was "restored."  It's only partially rebuilt and is still missing the part in the middle, which I guess was really really tall.  A good painting shows that famous "Tower of Babel."  

           Mr. Ralph read some think the Tower of Babel story might've been based on other earlier "Mesopotamian" stories, and the tower was one of those Ziggurats.  My Encyclopedia describes the Tower of Babel story as an "origin myth or parable."  Thank You God for old stories.  

                                   

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

              

                 I just thought of that guy Flavius Josephus, who wrote the "Jewish Revolt" against the Romans.  Hey Lord!  Some say, working for the Emperors Vespasian and his son Titus; was part of creating the New Testament to assist them in "Pacifying" the rebellious Jews.  I smell Sage.

            The man on a tv show said Josephus thought a King named "Nimrod" was just like the arrogant and conceited Wizard in RAINBOW'S song Stargazer.  Daisy thinks, if Mr. Steve's dad could use Mr. Peabody's Time Machine; he would want to talk to Josephus.  He was Jewish.

            Hey God, who I guess the Jews called You "Yahweh;" said King Nimrod had the Tower of Babel built to survive in case You sent another "Noah's Flood."  But You just made the Workers speak different languages so they couldn't understand each other.  They were unable to finish.                            

FLOCK OF BIRDS

                  I just glanced up and see a flock of Birds moving toward the north, and for some reason that makes me feel so good about being alive down here.   Thank Everyone for giving me this opportunity to be productive again today.  Heathcliff crowed, and I hear his Hens cackling.

            Hey God!  I guess Josephus thought, because You were mad at King Nimrod" You then had all of his Workers "scattered."  And I'll bet that's probably why to this day there are now so  many different languages!  Hearing Heathcliff reminds me of other times when he's crowed.

            Oh!  This is interesting.  My Encyclopedia says "Babel" is  Hebrew for "Babylon," and "bâlal" means "to confuse."  In "Akkadian," the name "Bâb-ilim" would be translated to be "Gates of God."  When in the Air Force Mr. Steve's Nephew was stationed in Mesopotamia.  

  

A FLOCK OF SEAGULLS

 

                  Another flock of Birds is going bye up there and that makes me think of an English "New Wave" band called A FLOCK OF SEAGULLS.  Daisy told me they came out in the early 1980's, and their lead Singer has the "most unique haircut" in history.  Andy's now looking at me.

            Daisy says Millie really liked A FLOCK OF SEAGULLS' Singer's hair style, and didn't understand why more people don't have haircuts like that.  But Mr. Dave didn't like it and even made fun of it.  A Motorcycle Shop customer told him that Singer is now totally bald. 

           I guess, like the BEATLES; A FLOCK OF SEAGULLS are from the city of "Liverpool" and got their name from a 1972 book about this misfit Seagull who gets kicked out of the flock.  Like BLACK SABBATH, they played at the 1983 "US Festival."  Mr. Phillip likes them. 

          

 "SEA GULL"                                                  MR. STEVE'S MOM

          

       Someday I'll see for myself that painting of the Seagull on our boss's east bedroom wall.  Daisy heard Mr. Steve and his mom one time talking about when she was painting it in a room of the warehouse behind one of the Sylmar rental properties.  A Train just whistled faintly.               

         That kid Jason admires the Seagull painting on Mr. Steve wall, and says it reminds him of times his parents took he and his brothers and sisters to the beach.  Hey God!  I hope someday I  can smell a beach, and so would Daisy who's never smelled one either.   I can smell Juniper.          

         Dais told me how, because it's so loud; she and Millie would go in the guest bedroom when Jason and our boss played.  Jason uses a small "Pignose" amplifier, which Mr. Rich also plays      too.  Daisy and I have both at times wondered how or why it's called that unusual name?              

                  

                                           BLACK SABBATH                                           DIAMOND HEAD 

          Mr. Steve told that kid Jason about the "dissonant" and "unsettling" sounds of the three note "Tritone" sequence, which KING CRIMSON, BLACK SABBATH and DIAMOND HEAD used in songs.  They might've been influenced by Gustav Holst.  Frida and Diego flew bye.  

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

         A College music history Teacher played Gustav Holst's early 20th century song "Mars, Bringer of War," for her class; from his "Planet Suite."  So, Mr. Steve one time played her that BLACK SABBATH song; which she liked from what Dais heard.  A Train just whistled.  

      

       "SOLAR" SYSTEM                                                           MARS                        

        

          Even though I'm not scheduled to write about the Planet Mars until tomorrow, I kind of feel like mentioning it now too.  Mars is the fourth Planet from the Sun, and after Mercury is the second smallest Planet in our Solar System.  A line of Ants is going bye on the Patio floor.             

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

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

            

                         MARS "ROVERS"                                                   SATELLITE 

             

              Wow!  A good photo in this Encyclopedia shows a man standing near three of what they call the "Mars Rovers" or "Motor Vehicles" which, beginning in the 1970's; have been sent out to Mars to explore and do things like that.  Two of the Pigeons flew bye.  I feel so good!

            I just thought of "Jet Propulsion Laboratories," or "J.P.L." for short; who send up those Satellite's into space.   Mr. Steve and his sister Susan have talked about "Field Trips" he took there, and also times when their mom visited with her Girl Scout troops.  A Lizard ran bye. 

          One time our boss played catch with that kid in the front yard, and they talked about how small our Solar System is compared to the big "Galaxy" we're part of.  And that Galaxy is tiny compared to the even bigger "Universe."  Boy!  I really love to run back and forth too. 

                                                

2014 FORD "GALAXY"

         

                   Daisy says one time our boss and Mr. Doug talked about this "Ford" Car that's called a "Galaxy."  Because Mr. Doug sometimes works on those "Citroën" vehicles, he knows Galaxy's are similar to Citroën's "Picasso."   Libby, who's walking around over there, just neighed.

            Galaxy Cars must be named after that famous Spanish Painter.  Daisy says our boss told Mr. Doug one of Miss Babette's Ford customers said there have been three "generations" of  the Galaxy, which I guess can hold up to seven people inside.  Bonnie and Clyde flew bye.

           That one Parts Manager, who called them "multi-purpose vehicles;" told Miss Babette  Galaxy's are "quiet even at high speeds."  He said they first came out in 1995, when Mr. Steve was working for Mr. Rick's company in Valencia.  L.A. has a Soccer team called Galaxy.        

                                      SOLAR SYSTEM                       GALAXY                                UNIVERSE          

       Hey God!  As You know, when our boss shows people how huge in size the Universe You provided for us is they can't believe it.  What on a diagram looks like a short distance is actually "millions and millions" of miles.  Smelling Andy is making me feel really glad to be alive.             

       Our "Solar System" is just a tiny part of the "Milky Way Galaxy," which itself is a small section of the "Universe."  The distance between Earth and our Sun is millions of miles, even if it look close on the diagram. Thank You God for giving Earth what we need to have life.                   

        Wow!  My Encyclopedia says there are "hundreds of billions" of Stars, or Suns; just in our Galaxy.  Because of "Gravity," many things spin around other things; our Solar System located in one of the "spiraling" bands or "arms" around that big "Black Hole."  Libby whinnied.                        

"MILKY WAY" GALAXY

        It says here our Solar System is located in the "Orion" spiral arm.  I guess, new Stars are created in the "outer" edges of the Milky Way; then over millions and millions of years move or  spin closer and closer to the Black Hole everything is orbiting.  A little Lizard ran bye.                  

         That giant Black Hole pulling everything towards it is called the "Bulge," and is where the oldest Stars are.  A Black Hole "sucks in" anything too close to it Mr. Steve says, and nothing can escape its gravitational pull once it's too near.  I smell Heathcliff and his Hens over there.             

        Daisy heard Mr. Mark and our boss talk about that one BLACK SABBATH song "Into the Void."  It's one of Mr. Steve's favorite BLACK SABATH songs, mainly because of Tony Iommi's "Sludge Riff;" and all the "Time Changes" it goes through.   I can't wait to hear it someday.                                                                                                                           

    "BLACK HOLE"                                                THE "APOCALYPSE"

                                              ARTWORK BY ALL ABOUT SPACE                                                                          (THE "FOUR HORSEMEN")                                                      

                                                                       

       Mr. Mark read the New Testament's "Book of Revelation," or "Apocalypse;" and thinks BLACK SABBATH'S song Into the Void might be a "metaphor" for "the last judgement."  Dais  told me about those "Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse."  A Train whistled faintly to my left.      

         Ah!  What a coincidence that, as I'm looking at a painting of those Four Horsemen, I smell  Libby.  They symbolize the "end of the world," the white Horse representing "Conquest," the    red "War," the black "Famine" and the gray Horse bringing "Death."  I like Train whistles.      

        Measuring "Distance" in the Universe is done in "Light Time," or "time light travels within a defined or specific period of time."  And in just one year, or "Light Year;" light travels about    "5.8 Trillion" miles.  Wow!  How could anyone have even figured something like that out?              

AFTERNOON SKY     

      

          Oh my Gosh!  It says here the Milky Way Galaxy is "100,000 light years across," and our Solar System is "25,000" light years from that big "Black Hole Bulge;" also called the "Galactic  Center."  The four Pigeons are now flying over Libby's Corral and going toward the east.             

         As a kid, Mr. Steve thought you could just get in a Space Ship and then fly over to another Planet like Mars.  But the problem is each Planet, at different speeds; is orbiting or circling all    around the Sun in one of those "Elliptical" patterns.  I smell Bonnie and Clyde's babies.              

        My Dictionary says an "Ellipse" is a, "A closed curve in the form of a symmetrical oval;" and not a perfectly round circle.  Boy!  I really love how I feel right now, with the late afternoon  air being so fresh and clear.  Thank You again God for giving me a place to live and be safe.          

                             

"SOLAR" SYSTEM                                         "STAR TREK"             

          

        Traveling in Space is not like on that tv show "Star Trek" our boss says, when Mars and Earth are at their "closest" they're "33.9 million" miles away; "250 million" miles away at the    "furthest" distance.   So it's not as easy as it seems to be able to just travel over to Mars.               

         Outer Space is a "dangerous place" for human beings to "go out into," with  "Asteroids" like the six mile wide one that flew in and killed the Dinosaurs zooming all around.  Mr. Steve      thinks someday an object might hit the Earth.  DEVO have a song called "Space Junk."              

        Besides Asteroids, like the one that killed off most of the Dinosaurs sixty five million years ago; there are also those "Gamma Ray Bursts" exploding too.  So people maybe could just move out to Mars.  Fannie and Freddie, talking to each other; are now flying over Libby's Corral.                     

 "DINOSAUR" NATIONAL MONUMENT (COLORADO) 

PHOTO BY JACOB W. FRANK                  

                 

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

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

          Daisy and Millie heard Miss Susan tell our boss the town of Dinosaur has "less than" five hundred people, so he told her Pinon Hills has seven thousand "Residents."  Littlerock, where Mr. Steve's brother Sam lives with his family; has nine thousand people.  Heathcliff crowed. 

                        

           THE "AVENGERS"               

           ARTWORK BY ALAN DAVIS                     

                          

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

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

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

           

              T-REX / STEGOSAURUS                                   BRONTOSAURUS / T-REX

                

           Miss Susan's customer said his boy is studying Archaeology and was "thrilled" when the bones of a "Stegosaurus," and a giant "Brontosaurus;" were found.  I guess the T-Rex's killed them to eat.  Our boss told Miss Susan his Grandma Córdova used to say "Such a gift."          

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

        Wow!  Some Brontosaurus's were seventy feet long and could weigh twenty tons, whereas  Stegosaurus's were only twenty feet long and weighed four tons.  Brontosaurus means "Thunder Lizard," and Dais thinks that's because the ground rumbled as they walked.  I like Mesquite.                                                           GIRAFFE          

           

                Daisy says the the tv show said millions of years ago  Brontosaurus's "developed" really long necks.  That allowed them to eat leaves way up on the top of trees I guess.  Charles Darwin would say, like "Giraffe's;" they "adapted" in order to survive.  It's "Natural Selection."   

            Giraffe's in Africa have Evolved" long necks and passed on those traits to their children so the could survive in their particular environment.  But, many things being dual in nature; it's hard to drink water and leaves them vulnerable to being attacked by predators.  I smell Sage.

            For some reason I just thought of the the ancient Romans "God of War"  called "Mars," who was named for the the Planet.  I guess, in 1985 the St. Ferdinand's Tour Group saw a statue of Mars on that "Appian Way" road south of the city of  Rome.  Leo and Cleo flew bye.

                                                

                                    "MARS"                                                MR. IVAN

                       

             Mr. Ivan knows a lot about ancient Greece and Rome, and I remember that morning when he told our boss the Roman God Mars was called "Ares" by the Greeks.  As Mr. Steve watered the Mulberry tree up there in the front yard they discussed it.  Libby whinnied over there.

          In 1985 the Tour Guide said, besides being war God; Mars was also the Romans "God of Agriculture" too.  I guess Mars, which the month of "March" is named for; was "second only in importance" only to "Jupiter," or the Greek God "Zeus."  Andy's now sniffing the air. 

          Like our boss and his dad, Mr. Ivan has read that lady Edith Hamilton's book on ancient Greece; and also considers her to be a really good Writer.  Someday I hope to read her book.  It sounds like two Crows or Ravens are fighting over something out there in the back desert.    

  

                        EDITH HANILTON (1867-1963)                               MARY BEARD     

  

                  Boy!  I can't wait to someday read Edith Hamilton's book on ancient Greece, or to hear Mary Beard teach about ancient Rome.  Daisy says both prove females are as smart as males.  I notice Miss Edith's birthday is May 31, while Mr. Steve's Niece Raqquel's is May the 30th.

            You can tell Daisy says, Mr. Steve likes doing his office work when watching one of Mary Beard's episodes about ancient Rome.  He does the same with Rick Steves and Huell Howser's different travel shows.  Cher jogged bye with a dead Mouse hanging out of her mouth.

           Daisy heard our boss and Mr. Grant, who is also interested in Astronomy; talk about how it may turn out millions of years ago the Planet Mars had life.  Maybe, deep inside Mars' core is still some type of life; or maybe water?  Mr. Grant has studied Saturn's different Moons.      

       

     WOODPECKER                 GRIZZLY BEAR                 HOWLING WOLF       

         

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

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

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

   

             ROMAN "LEGIONS"               

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

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

         The Roman Legions kind of sound like later Vikings, who also went on "Raids" when their farming season ended.  Both cultures seemed to enjoy violence, as did some Japanese Soldiers in the 1930's and then 1940's during World War II.  Now the other two Pigeons are flying bye.

   

THE MARS VOLTA                                                           MR. RICH        

      

          One time Dais heard our boss and Mr. Rich talk about this Mexican-American band from the border town "El Paso" called MARS VOLTA.  Mr. Steve once did some artwork for a nice      lady from El Paso one time.  I see my collection of things to chew on at the end of the Patio.          

                Mr. Dave told our boss, who's never heard them; THE MARS VOLTA are a Progressive Rock band.  Me and Daisy just like how their name sounds, and I wonder if they do any songs like GENESIS'S "Musical Box?"  Samson and Delilah are flying over Libby's Corral.

           The RED HOT CHILI PEPPERS Bassist Flea played on THE MARS VOLTA first album Mr. Dave was told.  I'll bet THE MARS VOLTA have a lot of "time changes" in their music, and  Mr. Rich says they seem influenced by early 1970's DEEP PURPLE.  Dawn's now barking.  

                                           

2014 JEEP "GLADIATOR II"

        

               All of a sudden I just thought of Mr. Steve's Gladius sword.  Daisy heard our boss talking to a "Jeep" customer and I guess the Parts Manager said since 1962, under many names; Jeep has sold a "Pickup" Truck called "Gladiator."  Mr. Steve told him about his Roman sword.

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

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

                                                       

                                                                          DEAN MARTIN / JERRY LEWIS    

          

               All of a sudden, writing about March and the God Mars makes me think about how Daisy heard our boss tell his mom on the phone of a guy named Jerry Lewis.  A customer of his back in New Jersey's family knew him I guess.  Jerry Lewis is one of those "Comedians.

            By total coincidence one time, the Parts Manager mentioned his wife's birthday of March 16th; which is also Mr. Steve's sister Sudan's birthday too.  And it turns out it was Jerry Lewis's birthday too!  A small flock of Birds is moving toward the northeast over Libby's Corral.

            That guy in New Jersey told Mr. Steve Jerry Lewis's family were Russian "Ashkenazi" Jews, just like Miss Emily and Harriet's ancestors.  So I'll bet they came into the U.S. through "Ellis Island at or around the turn of the 20th century.  Andy's over there looking at me.   

       

                                                                               MR. STEVE'S SISTER SUSAN                      

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

   

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

           Dais says the Parts Manager told our boss Jerry Lewis, from the year after World War II ended up until 1956; was in a team with Dean Martin.  Mr. Steve's parents never thought they were very funny.  Our boss was just one in 1956, his brother Rock would be born in 1957.  

               Boy!  My Encyclopedia says Jerry Lewis, whose nickname was the "Kid" just like Billy the Kid; used to be called the "King of Comedy."  And, I guess he did a lot of other things too besides just being a Comedian.  A long line of Grease Ants is going bye on the Patio floor.

                                                                                                                                  

                                                                                       MR. DOUG /  MISS SUSAN

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

                Wow!  Besides just being in movies, Jerry Lewis was at times "Produced" "Directed" and was the "Screen Writer" too; so he has to be talented Dais says.  Mr. Steve and his father say his type of comedy is not their "Cup of Tea."  But they realize comedy is a subjective thing.  

                  Fred, Ed and Ted the Sparrows flew over the top of this Patio and are going out into the eastern desert behind the Sheds.  A Lizard is doing pushups on the wall near the sliding glass door going into the dining room.  Mr. Steve's mom doesn't like the Three Stooges either. 

                    

         BLACK SABBATH             

                             

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

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

          Daisy says those three Tritone notes, "Da-Da, Da; are kind of scary alright.  I can't wait to someday hear Black Sabbath, Gustav Holst's Mars, Bringer of War;  and those first four heavy notes of Beethoven's "Fifth Symphony too.  A little Sparrow ran bye out there in the dirt.  

                                                                                                    

  "STAR WARS"    

             

            Mr. Ralph thinks the guy who wrote the music for that famous "Star Wars" movie "had to have" been influenced by the Tritone notes Gustav Holst used in his about the God Mars?  I can hear two Crows fighting out there behind the three Sheds.  They sound really angry.

           Daisy likes this scary sounding BLACK SABBATH song called "Children of the Grave," which Mr. Dave thinks "melodically" also has the Tritone influence.  Mr. Rich mentioned the "rolling power"  of that song.  The end is so "eerie and ominous with ghosts whispering."     

           In the 1970's our boss and Miss Sandy, with their friend Chris; saw KING CRIMSON at the Hollywood Palladium.  Like GENESIS and YES, they're English "Progressive Rock;" and they ended their concert covering Gustav Holst's "Mars."   Two of the Pigeons flew bye. 

    

                            KING CRIMSON                                                         GENESIS

                         

            I guess the word "crimson" means red.  Mr. Steve thinks KING CRIMSON'S Guitarist, who wears glasses and sits on a chair the way the guys from GENESIS did in the 1970's; is really good.  Mr. Dave likes this one KING CRIMSON song called "20th Century Schizoid Man."

            Oh!  Mentioning the Hollywood Palladium makes me think of a Musician Mr. Steve's parents saw there in the early 1960's named Benny Goodman.  One time, as Mr. Steve worked on something in his bedroom; he and Daisy saw a tv show about him.  I smell Andy over there.

           The tv show about Benny Goodman's "Big Band" music said he had a famous song, done in 1936; Mr. Steve's parents liked called "Sing, Sing Sing."  Oh!  Just as I mention that song I can hear some Sparrows sing ing happily over there to my left.  Andy has a really nice scent.  

                

                 BENNY GOODMAN / GENE KRUPA                        "HOLLYWOOD PALLADIUM"

                            (1909-1986)                      (1909-1973)                                               ("OPEN" DANCE FLOOR)                                               

    

                    Daisy heard our boss and Mr. Dave one time talking about Benny Goodman's Drummer named Gene Krupa.  He played on that song Sing, Sing, Sing, and at the very beginning did what is now this really famous "Drum Solo."  Mr. Dave mentioned his "Floor Tom" Dais heard.

             This Encyclopedia says Benny Goodman, as a "band leader" who played clarinet; is now called the "King of Swing."  Mr. Steve's dad prepared tax returns for a couple who knew Benny Goodman and his wife; who I guess had five daughters.  A small flock of Birds is flying bye.

             Mr. Steve's parents told that couple how they saw one of Benny Goodman's daughters play piano at his concerts down at the Hollywood Palladium.  You could really tell she inherited talent from her father they thought.  There are some nice clouds in the late afternoon sky.

      

     CLOUDS OVER TAOS, NEW MEXICO          

PHOTO BY DAVE KOZIOL                 

         

               It makes me feel good seeing those clouds over the desert to the east behind the Sheds.  I  guess Mr. Dave has taken pictures of puffy clouds hanging over he and Miss Julianne's house in New Mexico.  Heathcliff crowed, and I can tell his Hens are happy by how they're cackling.

            My Encyclopedia says here in 1938 Benny Goodman played at "Carnegie Hall" in New York City, which  made "Jazz" music "more respectable."  I guess that's mainly because most white people saw Jazz as inferior black music.  Hitler hated what Jazz music "symbolized." 

           The couple who knew Benny Goodman said he was the "ninth of twelve kids" in his poor Russian immigrant "Ashkenazi" Jewish family.  I've mentioned a few times how Miss Emily and Miss Harriet's families are Ashkenazi too.  Dawn's barking and I smell Andy over there.  

    

 BUDDY RICH / GENE KRUPA 

  

                One time Daisy and Millie were in our boss's office and heard him and Mr. Dave talking about Benny Goodman's Drummer Gene Krupa.  I guess, one of Gene Krupa's biggest "Rivals" was another guy named Buddy Rich.  I smell Bravo Company out there behind the Sheds.

           Dais heard Gene Krupa and Buddy Rich had "Drum Battles" where they really showed how totally talented each guy was.   Daisy and Millie, and Mr. Dave; saw a film of some of those now famous drum battles.  Smelling Bravo Company is making me really good right now.  

          Mr. Steve once pointed out Ian Paice's drum introduction at the start of DEEP PURPLE'S song "Pictures of Home to Mr. Dave.  As with other Drummer's he's played that song for, it's hard to figure out that good solo.  Ian Paice wears glasses and is left-handed Daisy told me.

            

                     MR. STEVE                  STANDARD DRUM KIT                   MR. DAVE 

           (1980'S)                                                                                                                (IN NEW MEXICO)

      PHOTO BY ARMANDO AGUIRRE                                                                                                                                                                                                                   

                Our boss and Mr. Dave talked about how, in their "Drum Contests;" Gene Krupa and Buddy Rich used the same drum setups.  Each had one "Middle" Tom, one "Floor" Tom, one "Ride" cymbal and a single "Crash" cymbal.  And of course a "Snare" and "Bass" drum. 

           According to what Dais told me, our boss and Mr. Dave both have drum sets with only one bass drum, two Tom-Toms and one Floor Tom.  But Mr. Steve likes his Tom-Toms set up facing him "At an Angle," whereas Mr. Dave prefers his almost flat.   Heathcliff crowed over there.

          Our boss one time told his Niece Samantha as a Drummer he's not good at soloing, but Mr. Dave is.  I've mentioned before how Mr. Steve says he better at setting up a good beat, and then steadily maintaining it over the entire song.  I like hearing Heathcliff's Hens cackling happily.    

  

                           PHIL EHART                     GINGER BAKER                          NEIL PEART

                                                                                                                                                                                                             PHOTO BY MIKE LAWRIE

   

                 Daisy one time heard Mr. Dave describe KANSAS'S Phil Ehart, CREAM'S Ginger Baker and RUSH'S Neil Peart as the "kings of fills."  That means the transition sections between the different parts of a song.  I smell Bonnie and Clyde's babies, which makes me feel good.

           Our boss had Mr. Dave go listen to that first KANSAS album, and then tell him what he thought of Phil Ehart's drumming.  Like Ginger Baker and Neil Peart, he does more than simply "Keep Time" for the other Musicians.  Some of the Ducks are quacking but Daffy's louder.

           Ah!  A nice breeze coming in from behind the Sheds just brought in the Twin Joshua trees scent into both of my nostrils.  The chimes up there are ringing, and I want to believe maybe it's You Holy Spirit.  Again today I haven't been lazy, and really like learning these new things. 

                     

          BUDDY RICH / MUPPET "ANIMAL"                                MILLIE                                        

        

             I look forward to someday seeing one of Millie's favorite tv shows about "Puppets."  One of the "Muppets" was named "Animal," and in one segment he had this drum contest against Buddy Rich.  Mr. Dave saw that episode and thought it was really, really funny I guess.  

           What a clever name the "Muppets" have.  Daisy told me Animal, who's red in color; was able to "keep up" with Buddy Rich in playing drums.   First Buddy Rich would play a solo, then Animal would respond; and try to do even better.  It was "Back and Forth" in the battle.

           Our boss and Mr. Dave thought it was so funny how Animal played "note for note" in his competition against Buddy Rich.  I guess his miniature drum set had two bass drums, three of those cymbals; and a few Toms.  A Train whistled faintly over there in the northern desert.

    

CHARLEY PARKER (1920-1955) / "DIZZY" GILLESPIE (1917-1993)

         

                 Mr. Dave knows a lot about Jazz music, and one time told our boss how those "Bebop" Musicians Charlie Parker and "Dizzy" Gillespie, in the early 1950's; were influenced by Benny Goodman's music.  Some get a feeling of uplifting "Rhêma" from Bebop music I guess. 

            Yesterday I wrote how those 1950's "Beatniks" liked Bebop Musicians because they were committed to "making art" rather than "merely entertaining."  Daisy told me Dizzy Gillespie, besides playing the trumpet; was also one of those "Scat" Singers too.  I can smell Andy.  

          This Encyclopedia says that saxophone player Charlie Parker was born in Kansas City, in the State of "Kansas," but was raised in Kansas City, "Missouri."  One time Mr. Bob, back there in Missouri; talked about how there are two different Kansas City's.  Boy!  That's unique.  

  

                                   "DIZZY" GILLESPIE                           SQUIRREL CHEEK POUCHES

   

                 Aha!  Now I know what Daisy was talking about when she said Mr. Dave mentioned that guy Dizzy Gillespie's unique "upturned" trumpet.  And he does kind of resemble a Squirrel with cheek pouches filled with food when he plays.  I can smell Bravo Company behind the Sheds.

            I'll bet Squirrels having flexible cheeks to haul food to their burrow is a good example of Darwin's "Evolution" idea of "Natural Selection."  They can carry more food to the babies, and store the rest for survival.  Birds like Bonnie and Clyde transport food in their stomachs.     

           Mr. Dave described Dizzy Gillespie's trumpet, where the "Bell" is  bent up; as being his "trademark."  It says here Bebop music is partly known for "fast tempos, virtuosic techniques, and advanced harmonic patterns."  I can smell Bonnie and Clyde's babies sleeping up there. 

                                                 

                             1950'S "BEATNIKS"                            MR. RALPH / SON RORY                         

                        

            One time our boss and Mr. Ralph talked about American "Subculture," and those 1950's Beatniks.  I guess Mr. Ralph read that guy Jack Kérouac's novel "On the Road," whose "Stream of Consciousness" style influenced later Writers.  Libby whinnied, which makes me feel good.

           Boy!  I like how those "Beret" hats, and shoes the girl is wearing; in the photo of two of those Beatniks.  In the living room our boss has a few berets up on the entertainment center.  In smelling Libby right now, while hearing a faint Train whistle; reminds me of last Summer.

           The more I think about it the more I'm convinced, and really believe; we should invent shoes for Dogs.  We could even make them in all the different styles and colors.  I've mentioned before how that one lady Sister Rita Joseph used to talk about the "Subjectivity" of colors.     

                   

                      "SPUTNIK I"                                              ROCK / MISS JUDY                              

                              (OCTOBER 4, 1957)                                                            ("ARLINGTON," TEXAS)                                                    PAINTING BY ERIC SIMONSEN                                                                                                                                                                                                

               

                Daisy says a lady told our boss the "nik" in Beatnic comes from that 1957 Soviet Union Satellite "Sputnik."  I mentioned yesterday how it was launched thirteen days before our boss' brother Rock was born.  All four of the Pigeons are flying over Libby's Corral going east.

           Because "Sputnik I" happened during that big "Cold War," it really scared the American government under President Eisenhower.  It was the very first "artificial earth satellite."  It was also in 1957 that Jack Kérouac's book On the Road was published.  Andy's looking at me.

           I just thought of how, also in October of 1957 or eight days after Mr. Steve's brother Rock was born; the "Mafia" gangster Albert Anastasia was shot and killed in that barber shop in New York City.  One of the "Assassins" was Joey Gallo, who Bob Dylan later wrote a song about. 

           

JACK KÉROUAC (1922-1969)

           

                 I just thought of that guy Jack Kérouac, whose writing style I guess was influenced by taking "Amphetamine" or "Upper" type drugs.  Daisy told me how our boss has some "Bongo" drums like the ones Beatniks used to play back in the 1950's.  The afternoon sky is so clear.  

                Daisy says the lady who told our boss about the connection of Sputnik with the Beatniks said she didn't like the way Jack Kérouac wrote.  I guess that would be a good example of how Sister Rita Joseph talked about "objective versus subjective."  Thank You God for clouds.  

                Wow!  In this Encyclopedia I notice how Jack Kérouac died when he was only forty nine years old, and Mr. Dave read it was mainly because of him being one of those alcoholics, or what in Spanish is called a "Boracho."  Boy!  That sounds like a bad name.  Heathcliff crowed.

   

                                     BOB DYLAN                   JIM MORRISON                  JERRY GARCIA

               This Encyclopedia says Jack Kérouac's Beatnik writing "made a big impression" on some  1960's Musicians like Bob Dylan and the DOORS Jim Morrison.  I just looked up to see Fannie and Freddie circling each other out in the desert.  You can tell they're happy and playing.

           It says here how Jack Kérouac was a "progenitor" of the 1960's Hippies, even though Mr. Ralph read he hated them.  So he thinks it's so "ironic" the GRATEFUL DEAD'S Jerry Garcia was a big  fan of Jack Kérouac.  Mr. Steve saw that GRATEFUL DEAD concert in 1978.         

            Daisy says our boss told Mr. Dave what it says here in this Encyclopedia too, how that guy Jack Kérouac's parents were "Catholic French-Canadians."  So that's why the original spelling of their last name was actually "Kéroack."   I smell the Joshua trees near Libby's Corral.

   

              HERBIE MANN (1930-2003)                               "MEMPHIS UNDERGROUND"                          PHOTO BY TOM MARCELLO                                                                                                                                                                                                         

                 Mr. Mark likes this 1969 "Jazz-Soul fusion" album called "Memphis Underground," made in "Memphis," Tennessee, by a band from New York City.  Daisy thinks I would like it too because of the flute playing in it by a guy named Herbie Mann.  Heathcliff just crowed.

           I guess years ago someone played that Herbie Mann album for our boss, but later he got a copy of it; so listened closer.  He told Mr. Mark, who called it "early World music;" he see's why so many think the music "unique."  I guess Mr. Steve later sold that album to someone.  

         Daisy and Millie heard Mr. Dave tell our boss he met a guy who said Herbie Mann, from a poor Russian immigrant "Ashkenazi" Jewish New York City family; ended up dying back there in New Mexico.  Two Crows out in the desert are fighting.  Frida and Diego just flew bye.      

    

HUNTER S. THOMPSON (1937-2005)

PHOTO BY MICHAEL OCHS

   

                  Mr. Dave read that Writer Hunter S. Thompson, who I wrote about earlier; really liked Herbie Mann's album and even mentioned it in his books.  I guess Hunter Thompson also liked the GRATEFUL DEAD and ROLLING STONES from what Dais heard.  Libby neighed.  

            My Encyclopedia uses the word "pioneering" to describe Memphis Underground, which is a "mixture" of Jazz; with Soul and also Rhythm & Blues too.  Wow!  Now I do want to hear that guy Herbie Mann because his flute playing is called "unique styling."  I smell Sage.     

                 Oh!  It says here what Mr. Dave talked about, how Herbie Mann's Jazz band were from  New York City; but down there in Tennessee created "Smooth Jazz."  It was "neither Memphis Soul nor New York City Jazz," but a "new sound."  A Train whistled faintly to the north.     

                                                               ALLMAN BROTHERS                                    DUANE ALLMAN (1946-1971)               

                                                                                                                    PHOTO BY JOHN GELLMAN

     

                I've mentioned before how, over the years; one thing our boss likes to do is play people a song just to see their reaction.  One is the BEATLES "Hey Jude, but done by this Singer named Wilson Pickett.  The Guitarist on Wilson Pickett's version is that guy Duane Allman I guess.

            Daisy heard Mr. Dave tell our boss Duane Allman, as one of those "Session" Musicians;" played on Herbie Mann albums.  Boy!  It's too bad Duane Allman died so young, riding on his Motorcycle.  Oh!  Fannie and Freddie are chasing, and angrily yelling at; another Crow.

            Mr. Dave thinks it's interesting how later the ALLMAN BROTHERS Bassist was killed on a Motorcycle near where Duane Allman at age twenty five died.  He played "Slide" guitar.  Mr. Steve is "not comfortable" riding a Motorcycle, but Mr. Mark rides one over in Hawaii.     

  

                                           JOE WALSH                                                         THE EAGLES

     

               I've written how in the mid-1970's Mr. Steve, Sandy and their friends went to concerts at the Hollywood Palladium and a few times that guy Joe Walsh, before he was in the EAGLES; played in them.  He had a good song called "Rocky Mountain Way."  Daisy likes that song.

           Mr. Dave read, when Joe Walsh wrote Rocky Mountain Way in 1973; he was thinking of his friend Duane Allman just dying.  So, on Rocky Mountain Way; he plays Duane Allman type slide guitar.  There are two long crisscrossed vapor trails way up there in the eastern sky. 

          A tv show Dais and Millie saw with Mr. Steve said Eric Clapton "admired" Duane Allman. I guess, according to what Daisy heard Mr. Rich sa; the BEATLES' George Harrison was also influenced by Duane Allman's slide guitar playing too.  I just thought of that "27 Club."    

         

        "SLIDE" GUITAR TECHNIQUE                                    "TALK BOX"                              

      

            Besides his playing slide guitar on Rocky Mountain Way, Joe Walsh also used one of those "Talk Boxes" I wrote about.  I can't wait to someday hear guitar playing with a Talk Box tube in the Guitarists mouth, which then changes the sound.   Daisy told me about Peter Frampton.

              From what it says in this Encyclopedia, slide guitar playing is, ""playing while holding a hard object against the strings."  Daisy heard Mr. Rich say how sometimes playing in that way is meant to "give the impression of a voice."  A Motorcycle went bye out on Primavera Road.

          Daisy heard Mr. Rich say when using a slide the strings are "plucked" not "strummed," so it changes the notes "pitch."  I guess some people play slide guitar with the guitar sitting on their lap, and call it "Bottleneck" style playing.  I can smell Theodora's Creosote bush over there. 

                                                                 MILES DAVIS (1926-1991)        

      PHOTO BY REX FEATURES                                                                                                                                                                   

                 Oh!  I just noticed how, when I wrote about Dizzy Gillespie; I forgot to mention another trumpet player named Miles Davis.  When he was in St. Louis, a cab driver told Mr. Steve Miles Davis "grew up" in "East" St. Louis; where our boss was coming from.  Heathcliff crowed.

           Mr. Ralph read, like Herbie Mann; during Miles Davis's long career he "fused" Jazz and other types of music.  In the late 1940's, right after World War II; as a kid he played in Charlie Parker's band.  Oh!  Miles Davis was born on May the 26th like our boss's Nephew Jacob.  

           I guess, in the 1950's Miles Davis had a Bebop band; and teamed with a saxophone player named John Coltrane.  Daisy heard Mr. Ralph say he read how, they were "total and complete opposite in personalities;" but their playing "complimented" one another.  I like Heathcliff.

  

                       JOHN COLTRANE (1926-1967)                 MILES DAVIS / JOHN COLTRANE

                                                                                                                                                         PHOTO BY TED WILLIAMS

 

                 Dais says that guy Miles Davis sounded kind of mean, whereas John Coltrane was nice and friendly.  Mr. Dave said Miles Davis had a "volatile" personality, but played his trumpet in a "subtle" way.  John Coltrane was "laid back," but his saxophone playing was "aggressive."

            One time our boss told Mr. Dave it sounds like Miles Davis and John Coltrane were kind of like Robert E. Lee and "Stonewall" Jackson during the Civil War.  Their personalities were very different but, as a team; "complemented" each other.  Samson and Delilah flew bye.

           Mr. Steve read one reason Paul McCartney and John Lennon wrote good songs is because they were a good team too.  Lennon's melodies are more "horizontal," with "repeated" notes "at the center."  McCartney's "vertical" melodies were more "ascending and descending" scales. 

       

OSCAR PETERSON TRIO / 1974 / "RONNIE SCOTT'S" / LONDON)

(OSCAR PETERSON / BARNY KESSEL / NHO PEDARSON)

     

                  Boy!  I'm writing a lot about music, and now have to talk about a black Canadian Jazz piano player named Oscar Peterson.  Mr. Steve thinks, in 1974 in London; he did the "greatest" solo he's ever heard on "Blues Etude."  That guy Rick Steves did an episode on London.

             Daisy heard Mr. Ralph use the word "swing" in describing Oscar Peterson's 1974 solo, where he "Improvises" in playing many styles with time changes, tempo changes and a left hand doing a "Walking Bass."  Oh!  A Hawk flew bye with a dead Gopher hanging from its mouth.

            Mr. Steve says you can tell how good Oscar Peterson played in 1974 by how the other two Musicians glance at each other in amazement, especially when the fingers on his right hand are going so fast.  Oscar Peterson plays Bebop Jazz, and is also influenced bye that guy Bach.         

             

LATE AFTERNOON SKY 

                                                                                                                                                            PHOTO BY TONE HELENA TORGERSEN

      

                   Ah!  A nice afternoon breezed just came floating in from the desert behind the Sheds, so right now I'm smelling some Joshua trees.  The chimes are beginning to ring, making me think of You Holy Spirit.  I sure hope You're up there thinking of me down here working on Elvira.

             Darn!  I just noticed, when I wrote about that 19th century "Hatfield-McCoy Feud;"  I forgot to mention another bloody confrontation.  So, I guess I'll do it now instead; and then get back to writing about music after that.  The "Pleasant Valley War" happened in "Arizona." 

            Mr. Dave read about the late 1800's Pleasant Valley War which, like the Hatfield-McCoy violence; involved two families.  They mainly fought over Cattle and Sheep according to what Daisy heard.  Blackbeard and Anne Bonny are flying over Libby's Corral and going east.

                       

      TOM GRAHAM   /   ED TEWKSBURY                      U.S. "TERRITORIES"                                                                         

                  It says here, from 1882 through 1892; the "Graham" and "Tewksbury" families had a "range war" in "northern Arizona."  Two men, Tom Graham and Ed Tewksbury; were the main "principles."  A U.S. map shows when Arizona was only a part of New Mexico  "Territory." 

            During those ten years of "bloody conflict," from thirty five to fifty people were killed in the Pleasant Valley Feud.  Mr. Dave told our boss what it says here too, how some call that fight the "Tonto Basin War."  The big Dragonfly just went zooming bye and I heard it coming.

           Mr. Dave and our boss talked about how that Pleasant Valley War mainly took place in Arizona's "Gila" County.   But at times they fought in "Navajo" and "Apache" Counties too.  At times there were even massacres, and one time wild Hogs ate  some dead bodies Daisy heard.    

  

                                                   "HUPA" INDIAN                                       MR. DAVE

PHOTO BY EDWARD S. CURTIS                                                                                                                                 

  

             Daisy heard Mr. Dave tell our boss one reason he's interested in the Pleasant Valley Feud is because that man Ed Tewksbury was half "Hupa" Indian like himself.  I've mentioned before how you can also spell it "Hoopa."  Oh!  Freddie's chasing away a competitor boy Crow.

          Mr. Dave says Hupa, who had "limited contact" with white people until that 1849 "Gold Rush;" is not only what they call themselves, it also means the "Trinity" River too.  The violence of the Pleasant Valley War is one reason Arizona didn't become a State until 1912 I guess.  

          I've mentioned before how Hupa's are from Northern California, and Mr. Dave says they speak a "Yurok" or "Athabascan" language.  Well, it looks like I still have more to write about music in this tenth chapter.  I smell Bonnie and Clyde's babies sleeping up there in the nest.       

                                                                             BIRMINGHAM                                           BLACK SABBATH                                                                                                                               

       BLACK SABBATH are from "Birmingham" and our boss and Mr. Dave, whether on a small or large drum kit; think their Drummer Bill Ward is really talented.  Mr. Dave thinks he    "makes music as well as keeping a good solid beat."  A Car went bye on Primavera Road.            

         With Birmingham being a dark "Industrial" city, with "smoke belching" from many steel factories; BLACK SABBATH'S "dark sounds" are "reflected" in their music Mr. Steve thinks.    Dawn's barking.  The big orange Monarch Butterfly is fluttering bye in front of the Sheds.           

      Daisy heard Mr. Dave tell our boss one time how, even though Bill Ward is a "powerful" Rock Drummer "there's a "Jazz type swing" in his playing; like on "Fairies Wear Boots."  The  afternoon air is so clear again today and I only have a few hours of sunlight left.  I smell Sage.                                                         BILL WARD                       IAN PAICE                          JOHN BONHAM                            PHOTO BY COLIN FULLER                                                                                                                                                                                        

              

       Boy!  I can't wait to someday hear more songs by those three early 1970's British bands BLACK SABBATH, DEEP PURPLE  and LED ZEPPELIN.  Both our boss and Mr. Dave think all had great Drummers, as I've talked about in these first two books.  Heathcliff crowed.           

       One time Dais and Millie were in the living room and saw a good tv show about BLACK SABBATH.  It talked about how their Guitarist Tony Iommi accidentally cut the tips off two of    his fingers working in a steel factory.  A Train whistled faintly way over there to my left.               

        I guess Tony Iommi was on his last day at his job and went home on the lunch break.  He told his mom he didn't want to go back but she said he had to as his duty and responsibility.  But  unfortunately, not doing his regular job; that afternoon a big metal press cut off finger tips.                                                                 

    TONY IOMMI

       PHOTO BY RICHARD GAILBRAITH

     

             Tony Iommi, who's left-handed: had the tips of the fingers on his right hand cut off.   So that means it was on his "fingering" hand on the neck.  Daisy says you can really tell how it's so dangerous to work in a big factory.  All four of the Pigeons are flying over Libby's Corral.  

             Just like DEF LEPPARD'S Drummer later in the 1980's, when he lost his arm; for Tony Iommi it was a "Turning Point" moment.  Mr. Dave called it a "make or break" time in his life if he wanted to keep on playing guitar.  Boy!  It would hurt so much to have my toes cut off. 

            Mr. Steve thinks for Tony Iommi it was a "game-changer," or "gut-check" time; Charles Darwin might say "adapt to circumstances or die."  Daisy says our boss, who's told Mr. Dave all about Mr. Eddie; told Mr. Eddie about Tony Iommi.  A Train whistled faintly to my left. 

                                       

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

            

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

           Our boss told Mr. Dave he's tried to play BLACK SABBATH songs but admits he'll never be as good as Bill Ward.  I guess, for Tony Iommi cutting off his fingers made it what Mr. Dave called "crunch time;" or "do or die."  Mr. Randy knows what happened to Tony Iommi.

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

        

                         TONY IOMMI                                       DJANGO REINHARDT (1910-1953)

                                                                                                                                          

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

             Mr. Rich read Django Reinhardt, who at times "bent notes" like a Blues Guitarist, was right-handed' his left "fingering" hand had only those two fingers and a thumb.  Boy! It would be easier to write if I had thumbs.  But I'm getting really good at working with only toes.  

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

                                  

   GERMANS CONQUER FRANCE  ( JUNE, 1940)

      

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

            I guess another name for Gypsy's is "Romani."  Not only were Django Reinhardt's hands burned, so was his leg; and the Doctors wanted to cut his hand off but he refused.  When his legs froze in the Korean War Steve's father didn't let them amputate his feet.  Libby neighed.    

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

     

 THE MIRACLES   

("SMOKEY" ROBINSON THIRD FROM LEFT)

   

       Oh!  My Encyclopedia says Tony Iommi's birthday is February 19th, which is also when Miss Harriet was born too.  Mr. Steve read the Singer Smokey Robinson, who worked for that Detroit company "Motown" in early 1960's; shared that birthday.  I smell Andy over there.         

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

         I just thought of how in our family May has the most birthdays, but in February Mr. Rich, Mr. Steve's Nephew Dalton, his father and Grandma Córdova were also born.  Boy!  I sure wish I knew what my birthday is.  A Motorcycled just zoomed bye out there on Primavera Road.                          

MISS HARRIET      

             

         I just thought of how, on Miss Harriet's birthday of February 19; back in 1942 President Roosevelt signed that World War II "Executive Order 9066."   It ordered Japanese-Americans,    like Dr.'s Oda and Sakaguchi's families; arrested or "Interned."  Boy!  I'm glad it's Spring.         

        As Mr. Steve's Niece Samantha said, "It's just not fair that life is not fair."  I wrote before how President Roosevelt was prejudiced against what he called "Orientals," so in 1942 he took the Japanese-Americans property and sent them to those prison camps.  Dawn's barking.             

        Dais and Millie heard our boss tell Mr. Rich Django Reinhardt and Tony Iommi seem good examples of Charles Darwin's "Natural Selection" or "Survival of the Fittest" idea.  They had to adapt or die, which is what I kind of have to do too.  I smell Blinky and Rosie next to Dawn.                        

"ROMAN CATHOLIC" NUNS

                        

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

           Django Reinhardt, like Tony Iommi; adjusted to his "Watershed Moment."  Mr. Rich was told he switched from "gut" to "steel" strings to make his Acoustic guitar louder.  And, I guess Tony Iommi "fashioned" fake finger tips from plastic bottle caps from liquid soap bottles. 

           Mr. Rich heard that guy Willie Nelson, who named his really old acoustic guitar after Roy Rogers' Horse "Trigger;" also really admired Django Reinhardt too.  Daisy heard Miss Harriet's dad and stepmother once met Willie Nelson.  Blackbeard and Anne are flying to the east. 

        

                  WILLIE NELSON              STEVIE RAY VAUGHAN           RORY GALLAGHER

     

            Daisy says our boss told Mr. Rich once, when he saw Willie Nelson, Stevie Ray and Rory Gallagher play; he noticed how "old and weathered" their guitars were.  The paint on Stevie Ray Vaughan and Rory Gallagher's electric guitars was "worn away."  Heathcliff crowed.

            I've mentioned before how sometimes Mr. Steve jokes, like with a Car; it "sounds better" to call something "pre-owned" rather than "used."  Andy's over there sniffing the air, making sure there's no danger around.  Two extending vapor trails are up in the afternoon sky.

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

     

                                             MR. STEVE'S BROTHER ROCK / GIRLFRIEND JUDY

          Daisy heard our boss's brother Rock remembering what a "fair" Mechanic Mr. Wilt was, and how he and his wife Miss Donna were "best friends;" like he and Miss Judy are now.  His      daughter Stephanie and Mr. Rich are like that too I guess.  Thank You God for Daisy.                    

        In a dream our boss hugged Mr. Wilt, who had a good sense of humor.  They talked about that one-legged Crow, who Mr. Steve thought about whenever he saw that Quail with a missing    leg.  I just picked up Andy's scent over there, and can tell he's smelling me right now too.              

        Mr. Wilt died and Mr. Steve thinks it was probably from smoking too much, as he not only smoked cigarettes; but sometimes also one of those pipes too.  Two Ravens are fighting out there in the back desert behind the Sheds, and I can kind of tell they're arguing over a girl Raven.                

                                                                                                        

                                                                                    MR. WILT /  MISS DONNA

                  Daisy says she can tell that Mr. Wilt's wife Miss Donna was a strong-minded person like Grandma Córdova.   Our boss recalls her as "more serious" than Mr. Wilt; so he at times joked and tried to get her to laugh more.  Sometimes it worked and at other times didn't I guess.

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

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

   

                                     PLAYING MUSIC                            NEIL YOUNG                   WITH CARETAKER

    

                 Daisy says Neil Young wrote a song about an old man who was his property "Caretaker."  Our boss told Mr. Rick, who knew Mr. Wilt; now that he's old that song makes him think how he was like a young Mr. Wilt.  "To a certain extent" he thinks, he was "like a second father."  

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

          I just thought of that ancient Greek town "Delphi," where people like Alexander the Great had those girl "Oracles" predict their future.  I wrote before how the girl, as a "Medium;" went into a "Trance" before telling your future ""In Code."  Benjamin the Cow Bird ran bye.   

        

                                DELPHI                                                           ORACLE OF DELPHI

    

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

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

        Oh!  Writing about those girls at Delphi makes me remember how I was supposed to learn yesterday about the three "Stages" of ancient Greek "Sculpture."   Daisy says Rick Steves had a show where he mentioned them.  That lady Edith Hamilton wrote about them too I guess. 

         

                        RICK STEVES                                              ANCIENT GREEK COLLUMNS 

     

       According to what Daisy and Millie heard Rick Steves say, the first or earliest period of ancient Greek sculpture, which was in about 600 B.C.; is called "Archaic."  During those years    the human bodies on statues look very "stiff."  The smell of Creosote just came floating in.          

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

         By the third "Hellensitic" period statues look "almost alive" Daisy thinks, like one of this small boy riding a huge Horse.  Rick Steves compared Greece's three historical periods with the    "evolution" of art in Europe, "Gothic," "Renaissance" and "Baroque."  Libby whinnied.                                                                     

                                   EVOLUTION OF GREEK "CAPITOLS" ON COLUMNS

       

            I've mentioned how "Hellenism" means the period after Alexander the Great conquered Greece in the 4th century B.C.  Rick Steve's also talked about the three styles of "Capitols" on the top of Greek "Columns." or "Doric," "Ionic" and "Corinthian."  A Sparrow flew bye.

               Daisy told me how Rick Steves said the three stages of Greek capitols on collumns were a balance of  "functionality and decoration." Father's Serra and LaSuén had to think about that too in the 18th century up here in Alta California too.   I smell Bonnie and Clyde's babies.

          A good drawing shows how the first Doric capitols were just flat, or "simple practical and utilitarian" as the caption says.  By the third Corinthian style, which I guess the Romans later really liked; they're more "leafy" and "complex."  A Train whistled faintly over to my left.

                 

     EDITH HAMILTON (1867-1963)                       MR. IVAN                                 

          

               Someday I want to read that lady Edith Hamilton's book about ancient Greece.  Mr. Ivan told our boss and his father one time at Mr. Hussein's Coffee Shop down there in Sylmar she was an "Educator" at a "girls school" for many years.  Blackbeard and Anne are flying bye.

            Daisy heard Mr. Ralph has also read Miss Edith's books, saying she didn't "paint a rosy picture" of life.  She "gets you lost in the past," and "realize how life has always been a difficult struggle for survival;" with "human nature always the same."  I smell the baby Cholla.

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

            

          UNCLE MARTY                               "HARVARD" UNIVERSITY      

           

                I just thought of how Uncle Marty was a "Medic" during the Vietnam War, then used his "G.I. Bill" to go to get a "Master of Business Administration" degree from Harvard.  Daisy says he must be be really smart to be able to do that and I agree with her.  Daffy's quacking.  

            Mr. Steve and his brother Rock remembered visiting "San Diego," one time helping their Uncle Marty paint a fence.  That was before he and Aunt Josephine had their two kids.  It was on their trips to San Diego that our boss and his brother went to "Sea World" and the Zoo. 

           Over the last two days I've mentioned that 1977 trip our boss and his brother Rock took to visit Uncle Marty's family in "Morristown" New Jersey.  Uncle Marty worked for "I.B.M.," and took them to see the New York "Stock Exchange" and "World Trade Centers."  I smell Sage. 

                                        

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

    

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

           Mr. Ivan is interested in the subject of predicting the future, and has read about Delphi, Nostradamus, Edgar Cayce and the Old Testament Prophets too.  If he could use Mr. Peabody's time machine our boss would visit Nostradamus Daisy thinks.  Frida and Diego flew bye.

           I'm still thinking about BLACK SABBATH'S Guitarist Tony Iommi accidentally cutting off the tips of his fingers.  Daisy say our boss's dad agreed with Sister Rita Joseph, who used to say; "When the going gets tough the tough get going."  I can smell some Beavertail cactus.

                        

                                                                        NINGEN' ISU

       

                 Oh!  Yesterday I forgot to write about this Japanese Heavy Metal band called NINGEN' ISU.  But I can do it now.   Daisy was so right in telling me to calm down and just find a place to insert them today or tomorrow.  Mr. Steve has told people about NINGEN' ISU since 1991. 

           NINGEN' ISU, who've never left Japan; is one of those "Three Piece" bands.  A Japanese guy first played them for our boss said they're "obviously" influenced by BLACK SABBATH.  Ah!  Two orange boy Finch's look like they're yelling at each other over a brown girl Finch.

          Mr. Rich noticed NINGEN' ISU'S Guitarist plays one of those Gibson "SG's," like Tony Iommi and AC/DC'S Angus Young.  Their bald-headed Bassist, who dresses like a Monk; paints his face all white like KISS or a "Kabuki" Actor.  Those Finches are flying out into the field.      

                                                

                                                       EDGAR ALLAN POE (1809-1849)

                  

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

              I will mention now how Edgar Allan Poe was one of the first "Science Fiction" Writers, and my Encyclopedia says he "invented Detective Fiction."   Like Mr. Steve flunked out of Law School, he didn't make it through that one military academy at West Point.  I smell Sage.  

          NINGEN' ISU'S Guitarist, whose "Kimono" and "Pony Tail" haircut make him look like a "Samurai" Warrior Dais thinks; wears white socks and sandals like the Bassist.  Mr. Dave jokes NINGEN' ISU's Drummer "looks like an Asian Elvis Presley."  A Lizard ran bye.

              

                  LED ZEPPELIN                       BUDGIE                            JUDAS PRIEST

PHOTO BY BURKE SHELLEY              

             

           I guess "Ningen Isu" is Japanese for "Human Chair," and Mr. Dave thinks the band is also influenced by LED ZEPPELIN and JUDAS PRIEST too.  Many years ago they did a really good version of "Breadfan" by this Welsh band called BUDGIE.  Mr. Phillip likes BUDGIE.

           Mr. Phillip says he thinks "Budgie" is a Helicopter's nickname, but it's also the name of these colorful little "Parakeet" Birds Daisy heard.  The Japanese guy told our boss NINGEN' ISU like the BEATLES.  Max the Hummingbird, still without 99; just zoomed bye.

          NINGEN' ISU sound like they also "listened to" 1970's groups like DEEP PURPLE and KING CRIMSON Mr. Steve thinks.   Their Guitarist can play with his teeth like Jimi Hendrix, and all three members sing according to Dais.  The smell of Penstemon now floated in.   

                 

NINGEN' ISU           

                       

                  A picture of NINGEN' ISU playing in a forest shows how the Drummer has one of those big "Gongs" behind him, the same type LED ZEPPELIN'S Drummer John Bonham used.  Dais says our boss has a miniature gong  next to the turntable in his bedroom.  A Train whistled.  

           Mr. Dave joked NINGEN ISU'S Drummer resembles one of those "Yakuza" gangsters I'll learn about tomorrow.  Someday, once I get over my fear of being trapped; I'll go in Mr. Steve's bedroom and see his drums and big Entertainment Center.  A little gray Lizard ran bye.  

           Boy!  Daisy is so right in saying it's "ridiculous" how it's been over a year and I'm still too afraid to go all the way down the hallway.  Then I could see our boss's mom's paintings and some of the other things in that half of the house.  But I do really enjoy our cartoons on Saturdays.

             

              "BUSCH GARDENS"                                       SAMANTHA / MISS PEGGY                                                                              

                Mr. Steve told his Niece Samantha years ago colorful "Parrot" Birds escaped from that place "Busch Gardens," people enjoying seeing them living wild for a long time in Sylmar.  Mr. Steve's mom still fondly recalls mornings when seeing them made her feel good.  I smell Sage.

           BUDGIE is a three-piece band like NINGEN' ISU our boss told Samantha.  Someday I'll hear RUSH and KANSAS, whose Progressive songs her boyfriend Mr. Rick enjoys.  I just looked up and see three long overlapping vapor trails way up there in the high afternoon blue sky. 

            Oh!  I knew I was hearing two Ravens fighting out there behind the Sheds, and it turns out to be Samson and another boy Crow.  Ah!  I knew I was smelling Bravo Company, and can now see them out there in the eastern desert.  Thank You God for how good I feel right now.

  

                                           BLUE CHEER                                                  STEPPENWOLF

      

              I just thought of those 1960's bands BLUE CHEER and STEPPENWOLF, who our boss thinks were two of the first "Heavy Metal" bands.  In 1968 BLUE CHEER covered that 1950's Eddie Cochran song "Summertime Blues" in a "heavy way."  Andy's sniffing the air.

           Dais told me about STEPPENWOLF'S songs "Born to be Wild," which mentions "Heavy Metal Thunder;" and "Magic Carpet Ride."  Our boss told Mr. Dave how, as a kid; he noticed how "hard" BLUE CHEER'S Drummer played.  It was like MOTÖRHEAD'S "Overkill."

           Our boss likes how DEEP PURPLE, and later RAINBOW; had "Classical" influences in their songs.  He thinks in 1970, when he was in 10th Grade at Alemany; part of the organ solo on DEEP PURPLE'S "Child in Time" sounds like "Flight of the Bumblebee."  Heathcliff crowed. 

                               

AFTERNOON SKY      

         

                Hey God!  Looking at afternoon puffy clouds up in the sky is making me thankful You invented clouds; which make me feel calm when I worry too much.  Dais told me about the time she and Millie are positive they saw Your face in puffy clouds.  But then it disappeared slowly.

            I just thought of how Mr. Steve likes all types of bands, but enjoys listening to a talented three piece band like Z Z TOP, the POLICE or CREAM the best.  I can't wait to hear RUSH'S song about Tom Sawyer who Mark Twain wrote about.  I'll learn about his books later.

            Oh!  I just thought of something.  Yesterday in my first book, when I wrote about Three Piece bands; I somehow totally missed on my outline talking about two 1990's Punk Rock bands called GREEN DAY and THE LIVING END.  A Train just whistled faintly to the north.

               

                                       GREEN DAY                                                        THE LIVING END

   

              I guess many mainly associate Punk music with the 1970's and 1980's, but Daisy heard in the 1990's GREEN DAY AND THE LIVING END were around.  I've mentioned how Mr. Steve, and Mark Ritter and Mr. Doug; saw some Punk Rock concerts.  Heathcliff is crowing. 

              Our boss told Mr. Dave he's at times tried to play along to some of GREEN DAY and THE LIVING END'S songs, which Daisy told me are often "fast-paced."  A few years ago Mr. Steve and his Niece Cristina saw GREEN DAY play at the "Rose Bowl."  I smell a Joshua tree.

         One time our boss and Mr. Rich talked about GREEN DAY.  Daisy told me Mr. Steve said he likes their "melodic" songs better than many Punk bands who are "high energy" but not that talented.  That's also why he likes the band X and the DEAD KENNEDY'S too Dais says.  

                        

                          "CHARLIE BROWN FARMS"                       SAM / YOLANDA / FAMILY   

          I just thought of that unique store "Charlie Brown Farms," over in Littlerock where Mr. Steve's brother Sam's family lives.  Daisy says our boss and his Niece Samantha one time talked about the GREEN DAY pins he bought her and Cristina there.  Two of the Pigeons flew bye.   

         According to what Dais heard, "Charlie Browns" is so unique in some things you can buy there; like some steel "Suits of Armor" for instance.  Mr. Steve has bought coloring books of the different periods of military uniforms.  I can smell Bonnie and Clyde's babies up there.

         Daisy and Millie heard our boss's Niece Samantha say, she noticed how at Charlie Browns you can buy Buffalo meat  like what they ate on "Catalina" Island that time.  Our boss told Mr. Ivan about all the knives and swords at Charlie Browns.  Dawn and Blinky are barking. 

  

                                                                       STRAY CATS

  

                Daisy noticed THE LIVING END, like X play aggressive Punk at times influenced by that  "Rockabilly" style I've mentioned.  And, like this 1980's band from New York City the STRAY CATS; their bass player uses a big "Stand Up" bass guitar.  Mr. Rich likes STRAY CATS.

                Our boss has played along to a GREEN DAY'S "Geek Stink Breath," which I guess for a long time he couldn't figure out the name of.  But his Niece Samantha, who sounds smart; did research and found out its title.  Her boyfriend Mr. Rick also seems like a smart person.

           I've mentioned a few times over the last two days how Miss Samantha and Mr. Rick know a lot about music, and like all different types of music the way Mr. Steve does.  Oh!  With Andy watching him closely, Goliath is crawling out into the back desert.  I smell Bravo Company.

                            

MR. STEVE /  MISS PEGGY                     SAMANTHA / MISS PEGGY

     

                 I just thought about how Mr. Steve took Miss Peggy, the "Principal" at Samantha and Cristina's Lutheran school; to her Sylmar High school prom.  Daisy and Millie one time were in his office and heard him talking to his mom about that.  Benjamin just went running bye.

            Daisy and Millie heard our boss and his dad talk about how few people lived in Sylmar in 1960 when they first moved there.  Some of what are now main roads, like "Hubbard" street for instance; were dirt like our Primavera Road.  Many people rode Horses around back then.

           Libby's unique scent just floated into my right nostril, and with it the smell of that clump of Joshua trees in the southeast corner of our two acres; near her Corral.  Right now she's near the back of Corral, next to Primavera Road.  Seeing Libby is making me feel good right now.

                       

                            BOSTON                                       DRAGPIPE (MR. RICH SECOND FROM RIGHT)

                    

              I just thought of that band BOSTON, who Daisy says have a good 1976 album which our boss has a vinyl record of.  Our boss told Mr. Rich BOSTON has two Guitarists, and their song "More Than a Feeling" gives many people an uplifting Rhêma feeling.   Libby just neighed. 

           Our boss told his Niece Samantha he and Mark Ritter worked at "Laser Images" when that BOSTON album came out.  They had really good audio equipment at Laser Images so they  got to hear how amazingly well it was recorded.  Daisy thinks BOSTON'S Singer is great.

           Yesterday I mentioned BOSTON'S song "Peace of Mind."  One time in 1985 he thinks; I guess our boss and Mr. Mark saw BOSTON'S morning "Sound Check" at the Forum.  During that period they also saw VAN HALEN, AEROSMITH and the CARS do Sound Checks.

                                                   

              CLAUDE DE BUSSY (1862-1918)                                      MR. DAVE                                   

       

                 Daisy one time heard our boss tell Mr. Dave the organ playing in the opening section of BOSTON'S "Foreplay" reminds him of a song by French Composer Claude Debussy.  That song is called "Gardens in the Rain," and is played on piano I guess.  I smell some Joshua trees.

            A picture shows that guy Claude Debussy sitting on a beach.  He's wearing a really nice hat and holding an umbrella like the ones our boss has near the front door inside the house.  Mr. Steve told Mr. Dave Gardens in the Rain has some "fast and nimble" piano playing in it.  

           Mr. Steve's mom, who studied 19th century "Impressionistic" French Painters; thinks the piano in Gardens in the Rain sounds kind of like "falling rain."  This Encyclopedia calls Claude Debussy an  "Impressionistic Composer."  Blackbeard and Anne are flying toward the north.      

  

                                   FRANZ LISZT (1811-1886)                      BÉLA BARTÓK (1881-1945)

                According to this Encyclopedia Claude Debussy was influenced by that guy Franz Liszt, and he influenced Béla Bartók; also from "Hungary.  A small flock of Birds is flying over Libby's Corral and moving toward the northeast.  Ah!  The afternoon air is so clear again today.

           I've mentioned before how that lady Miss Helen, who in the 1980's worked with our boss and Mr. Mark at the Forum; knew a lot about Classical music.  She told Mr. Steve that Claude Debussy was often "quite depressed."  But hearing Franz Liszt's music made him feel better.   

           Daisy heard our boss tell his mom Miss Helen liked Claude Debussy's music.  One time, in driving her over to a U.C.L.A. Football game at the "Rose Bowl;" she told him "Debussy" was influenced by that Polish guy "Romantic" Fréderick Chopin.  A Lizard went running bye.  

  

HIGH DESERT AFTERNOON SKY

PHOTO BY DECHANA WANGKHEEREE

  

               I just noticed puffy cloud formations up there in the later afternoon sky.  Seeing them is making me feel happy to be alive down here writing this second book.  Oh!  Goliath is crawling through the left gate slot, with Andy over there staring at him going into the back desert.

                 All of a sudden I just thought again of BLACKSABATH'S Guitarist Tony Iomi, who got two fingers cut off working in that steel factory.  Dais one time heard our boss talking with his brother Sam about it.  Andy's now more relaxed in seeing how Goliath left the area. 

           I'm not actually scheduled to write about that Boxer Muhammad Ali until later but just feel like mentioning him now too.  Like Tony Iommi, he had to adapt to changes; in his case the "adjustment" of getting old.  Mr. Ralph used the phrase "Father Time" Daisy told me.

                           

         MUHAMMED ALI / GEORGE FOREMAN                MR. RALPH / SON RORY

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

              

          Our boss and Mr. Ralph talked about Muhammad Ali's 1974 fight in "Zaire, "Africa; the "Rumble in the Jungle." It was against George Foreman, and the caption below a picture says it shows Muhammad Ali blocking a "vicious left hook body punch" Oh!  I'll bet it hurt.

          Mr. Gary the Barber and Mr. Steve talked about how, when young; Muhammad Ali was a fast and hard to hit Boxer; moving around the ring quickly avoiding or "Dodging" punches.  But by 1974 he was way slower so had to fight in a different way.  Two of the Pigeons flew bye.

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

                     

     MUHAMMAD ALI / GEORGE FOREMAN

   

        One time when he was working on one of his projects in the living room, Dais and Millie watched with him that 1974 fight in Africa.  George Foreman was hitting Muhammad Ali hard,   but Ali at times counter punched too I guess.  I love how puffy clouds look up in the sky.              

          Daisy noticed how the "Commentator" mentioned Muhammad Ali had lost "foot speed."  So, he adapted and "knew himself" like Delphi's wall says to do Daisy thinks; and gave up the        idea of fighting the way he did when young.  Heathcliff crowed which makes me feel good.          

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

                    ALI / FOREMAN (1974)                                                MR. GARY                                                             

          Mr. Gary thinks in Zaire Muhammad Ali was right because, in the hot weather; George Foreman did get tired.  By saving or "conserving" his strength; he was able to "come back" and knock George Foreman out in the 9th round.  Andy's sniffing the air and looking at me.

         Knowing he couldn't move as quickly "on the balls of his feet" Mr. Gary said, Muhammad Ali got George Foreman to what they call "punch himself out."  But, in doing his In 1974 Mr. Steve was nineteen years old and going to "Valley Junior College" in Van Nuys.  

        In the 1960's Muhammad Ali landed punches, then darted "Out of Range;" like I do when Daisy and I wrestle.  Mr. Steve's dad thinks it was smart to save his energy until the 9th round, when he knocked George Foreman out.  A Wren is sitting on a branch of the Mulberry tree.

                     

                            JIM PLUNKETT                                           LUIS TIANT   

                    

            I just thought of how Jim Plunkett, and Luis Tiant from "Cuba;" also had to adapt to getting older.  Jim Plunkett was a slower runner later in his career, and that guy Luis Tiant lost much of the power in his throwing arm.  I've mentioned how Mr. Rich's family is from Cuba.  

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

          Mr. Steve, his brother Rock and Mr. Rick remember how, when he was back in the Major Leagues; Luis Tiant had transformed into a "cerebral" Pitcher.  He'd "vary" his windup, pitch speed and became "unpredictable."  The Wren on the Mulberry tree branch flew away.   

               

LUIS TIANT (BOSTON "RED SOX")

        

                Boy!  That guy Luis Tiant seems like an example of Charles Darwin's idea of adapting to change trying to survive.  He became a "Thinking man's Pitcher," using different deliveries; at times even doing a hesitation type pitch.  Samson and Delilah are flying toward the north.  

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

          Our boss told his brother Sam in Basketball they changed rules because of how dominant Wilt Chamberlain was.  One time in a restaurant our boss and Miss Sandy met and shook hands with him, both thinking his hand was big.  He "Averaged" fifty points per game in 1962.    

                          

WILT CHAMBERLAIN (1936-1999)          SAM / SAMMY JR. / YOLANDA       

PHOTO BY PAUL VATHIS                                                                                                                   

    

                 Mr. Steve told his brother Sam in 1962, when he was seven and his brother Rock five; Wilt Chamberlain scored one hundred points in one game for the Philadelphia "Warriors."  He thinks, even though Kobe Bryant scored eighty; that won't happen again.  I smell Sage.

           Wilt Chamberlain was born in 1936 Mr. Steve read, four years after his dad; and one year before his mom "Came into the World" as they say.  Not only did Wilt Chamberlain score a lot of pintos, in some seasons he led the league in "Assists."  Blackbeard and Anne flew bye. 

           I guess, an assist is passing the ball to a teammate who scores a basket.  Our boss and his brother Rock saw the Lakers play in 1972 when they won thirty three in a row.  Gail Goodrich, who went to "Poly" High near Sylmar, where his friend Armando went; was on that team.

                  

TALKING HEADS      

        

             I just thought of 1983 when our boss and Miss Nancy saw the TALKING HEADS; who are from New York City; play at the "Pantages" Theater in Hollywood.  She'd never heard of them, but was impressed, especially by the girl Bassist.  They also went a Laker's game one time.           

      Mr. Steve told his mom he in 1999, a really bad year for him; John Kennedy Jr. and Wilt  Wilt Chamberlain died.  Hey God!  He says, in hearing of them dying; he thought; well, at least    I'm still alive."  Heathcliff crowed over there, and his Hens sound happy in their clucking.            

       Our boss told his mom Wilt Chamberlain's was born on  August the 21st, the day after her birthday.  In 1968, he was traded to the Lakers on his birthday July the 9th.  A customer in the    State of "Kansas" told Miss Babette he once saw Wilt Chamberlain play back in College.            

                                                      HARLEM "GLOBETROTTERS" (1959)               NIKITA KHRUSHCHEV (1894-1971)                    

                   

                Mr. Ralph read how, in the late 1950's just before he became a professional in 1960; Wilt Chamberlain played for the Harlem "Globetrotters."   And, in Russia; the Soviet Union's leader Nakita Khrushchev watched them.  A Motorcycle zoomed bye out there on Primavera Road.

           A customer in Philadelphia, where Wilt Chamberlain was born; told our boss how Wilt Chamberlain was already 6 foot 10 in High School; 7 foot 1 when on the Lakers.  He was also a great "Track and Field" Athlete then too.  Andy, looking at me; is over there sniffing the air.

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

                 

KAREEM ABDUL-JABBAR /  WILT CHAMBERLAIN   

 (EARLY 1970'S)        

PHOTO BY HEINZ KLUETMEIER          

         

           Our boss and Mr. Mark talked about, when older and on the Lakers; Wilt Chamberlain played against Kareem Abdul-Jabbar who later in the 1980's was on the Lakers.  That was when our boss, Mr. Mark and Miss Helen all worked for the Forum.  I smell the Mulberry tree.             

       Kareem Jabbar, Lew Alcindor when in College at U.C.L.A.; played for the Milwaukee "Buck's" before coming back out here to the Lakers.  I guess, he grew up in New York City.  I've mentioned a few times in these first two books how Mr. Mark is from Milwaukee too.                    

        Daisy heard that one Parts Manager in Philadelphia tell  Mr. Steve, in High School Wilt Chamberlain  jumped over a pole that was "set" up at six feet six inches high.  He once ran four hundred and forty yards in just forty nine seconds.  Donald and Daisy are both quacking.                                                                         

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

    

          I guess  after he retired from Basketball Wilt Chamberlain was an Actor, and was in this movie called "Conan the Barbarian."  That guy Arnold Schwartzenegger, who our boss took the  pictures of; played "Conan."  Someday I want to see that movie because Dais really liked it.         

         Yesterday I wrote about that time when Mr. Steve went with Miss Harriet on her writing assignment for "Fitness" Magazine.  Arnold Schwartzenegger, with California Governor Pete      Wilson; was there.  Our boss has weapons like those in Conan the Barbarian Daisy told me.         

         The Parts Manager in Philadelphia said in High School Wilt Chamberlain threw a "Shot Put" 53 feet and 4 inches; and "Long Jumped" 22 feet.  A Shot Put is a really heavy metal ball     from what Daisy heard.  There are two long vapor trails way up there in the afternoon sky.                                     

BILL RUSSELL / WILT CHAMBERLAIN (1960'S)

           Wilt Chamberlain's biggest "Rival" was the Boston "Celtics" Bill Russell, who most think was "more valuable;" because he was much better "Defensively."  His teams won eleven N.B.A. championships, Wilt Chamberlain's only one.   A Train whistled faintly over there to my left.       

     In 1962, in a game where Wilt Chamberlain got fifty five rebounds, his team lost to Bill Russell's Celtics 132-129.  That was the season he averaged fifty points per game, but Bill Russell was the league's "Most Valuable Player;" or "M.V.P."  I smell the new baby Cholla cactus.          

        One time, he thinks it was in 1985; Mr. Mark saw that guy Bill Russell driving around in a small  Volkswagen "Rabbit."  And, considering how he was 6 foot ten inches tall; that was kind of amazing to Mr. Mark I guess.  But, "He seemed like he wasn't uncomfortable at all."                      

GOLIATH     

PHOTO BY MATT JEPPSON 

      

         Oh!  What a coincidence that, just as I'm about to say how Wilt Chamberlain's nicknames were "Goliath" and the "Big Dipper;" I see our Goliath crawling into the eastern desert through the left gate slot.  Andy, as stiff as a board; is watching him closely.  Now he's more relaxed.          

         Dais heard Wilt Chamberlain's nickname Big Dipper doesn't come from the Constellation of Stars up in the night sky.  It's because he was so tall he had to "dip" down, or bend; when he     passed under doorways.  Goliath's scent just floated in to me working over here on Elvira.          

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

  FRANKLIN DELANO ROOSEVELT                        ADOLPH HITLER                      

(1882-1945)                                                                               (1889-1945)         

       

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

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

       All of a sudden I just thought about our boss's Niece Stephanie's boyfriend Mr. Rich, who was a Guitarist in that Heavy Metal band DRAGPIPE.  Their 2002 album, which I hope to hear someday; has this song on it our boss plays along to called "Cruise."  Libby just whinnied.              

  THE BAND                                 DRAGPIPE                                     MR. RICH     

       

           Mr. Rich's family is originally from "Cuba" and I guess in the 1950's his father, because of the corrupt dictatorship; was at first on Fidel Castro and "Che" Guevara's side.  But later, he    "switched sides;" realizing "Communistic Socialism wasn't that great either.  I smell Sage.           

        I wrote how, since 1898 after we took Cuba from Spain in the "Spanish-American War;" big American "Corporations" controlled the island.  But, greed created a huge "gap" between    the rich and poor Dais heard.  Oh!  Cher came from nowhere and pounced on a Lizard.               

         Mr. Rich told our boss, in the late 1950's his father was "up in the mountains" with Fidel Castro's rebels; his mom living  down in that city "Havana."  Cher's eating the Lizard, and it's    amazing how she had been hiding and sprang out so unexpectedly.   Andy's looking at her.                      

  FULGENCIO BATISTA (1901-1973)                         MR. RANDY                        

    

         Mr. Randy read about Fulgencio Batista, Cuba's "greedy" 1950's dictator.  In the living room one time, as our boss worked; Daisy and Millie watched a tv show on "Capitalistic" Cuba.  Like King Herod, I guess Fulgencio Batista was just a "Puppet" of  more powerful people.           

          The tv show said during the Second World Fulgencio Batista was Cuba's  "President" and by the 1950's was "military dictator."  Mr. Randy read his government killed "at least" twenty    thousand Cubans.  Cher's gone, and I'll bet she ducked underneath one of the Sheds.                    

         By the 1950's the U.S. Government and American "Big Business" controlled Cuba, with a few getting rich and everyone else barely "eking out a living" Mr. Randy said.  So many, like Mr. Rich's dad for example; wanted to overthrow Batista Dais says.  A Train whistled faintly.              

                   

MEYER LANSKY  (1902-1983)                   HAVANA NIGHTCLUB             

                   

           I just thought of how, after World War II Fulgencio Batista allowed the "Mafia" to set up  gambling "Casino / Nightclubs" in Cuba.  Guys like Meyer Lansky, Lucky Luciano and Santo    Trafficante "invested" in them.  But they lost the money when Fidel Castro came to power.          

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

        Eventually, Mr. Rich's family lived in New Jersey.  Many Cubans, disliking "Socialism's" not allowing owning "Property;" left.  To this day many "Exiles" in Florida hate Fidel Castro I  guess.  Ah!  I love seeing all of those puffy clouds up there in the late afternoon blue sky. 

     

BATISTA GOVERNMENT OVERTHROWN 

(JANUARY, 1959)

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

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

       Mr. Steve was four in 1959 when Batista as overthrown, his brother Rock two.  A year later, when President Kennedy got elected they moved here from New Mexico; buying that house on    Hagar Street in Sylmar in 1961.  It was destroyed in the big 1971 "Sylmar Earthquake."            

                        

                                                                             "MIRACLE ON THE HUDSON"

                                                       (NEW YORK CITY / JANUARY, 2009)               

                        

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

          Mr. Steve and his Nephew Dalton, who wants to be a Pilot; talked about 2009 when Geese got sucked into two engines which shut them off.  The brave Pilot "Glided" the Plane down and landed in the water, the "Miracle on the Hudson."  All 155 "Passengers" survived the crash.  

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

                                                                                                  

     "CONCORDE" CRASH (PARIS / 2000)         

                                                                                                                                                                   PHOTO BY JOACHIM BERTRAND            

         

                 Our boss told his Nephew Dalton 113 people died back in 2000.   According to my French Dictionary "concorde" means "agreement, harmony or union."  Some of the Ducks over there are quacking but as usual Daffy's voice is much louder; which makes me feel pretty good.

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

            Mr. Steve told Dalton the reason the Concorde was built with those "Delta" type wings is because they work well at all three "Speed Ranges," or "Subsonic, Transonic and Supersonic."  Fred, Ed and Ted are flying toward the east.  The afternoon air is so refreshing right now.

                

    "BLACK DEATH" (1347-1351)

       

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

          Daisy noticed how early versions of the Concorde had cockpits that looked sort of like the pointy masks Doctors and Priests wore during the Black Death.  Wrongly thinking disease was caused by smell, they filled the long nose areas with spices and things like that. I smell Sage.            

          The Concorde was going to New York City in 2000.  In Mr. Steve and his brother's 1977 trip back east, they  landed at "La Guardia" Airport in Queens, named after the 1930's Italian New York City Mayor named Fiorello La Guardia.  Those Crows are still really fighting. 

                    

             FIORELLO LA GUARDIA (1882-1947)                          MR. RICK / MOM

                                                                                                                                                                                                          

               Mr. Rick knows about Mayor La Guardia, and read he was a Pilot during World War I; New York City's Mayor during the Great Depression and World War II.  This Italian Dictionary says the word "fiorello" means "little flower."  I'm so lucky to have these Dictionaries.

            A picture shows Mayor La Guardia talking to President Roosevelt.  Even though he was a "Republican" described here as "authoritarian," while F.D.R. was a "Democrat;" he supported F.D.R.'s Depression "New Deal" program.   Mr. Rick's mom knows of Mayor La Guardia.  

           When young Mayor La Guardia "interpreted" for Italian immigrants at "Ellis Island,"  and as New York City's 1930's "reformer" Mayor; fought "corruption."  Mr. Rick's family came over to America from Italy through Ellis Island.  That Dragonfly few over Libby's Corral.

               

                                 "ANGEL" ISLAND                                        SAN FRANCISCO BAY

          

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

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

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

                

         HUELL HOWSER (1945-2013)                             "ALCATRAZ" ISLAND                      

            

               Daisy says as usual someone showed Huell Howser around, and they went to the highest point on Angel Island to look south toward the city of San Francisco.  Huell Howser also visited the "Golden Gate" bridge and "Alcatraz" island on other episodes.  I smell Joshua trees. 

            Mr. Dave's Motorcycle shop customer was "Miwok" Indian, so Mr. Dave told him he's a "Hupa" from up north.  Miwok's hunted and fished on Angel Island, connected onto the land up until the end of the last Ice Age; for centuries.  Two of the Pigeons flew bye going east.

           I guess, during World War II Angel Island was a prison camp for captured Japanese and German prisoners.  In the 1820's Mexican "Californio" period Cattle Ranches were set up out there.  There are two slowly extending crisscrossed vapor trails way up there in the sky.         

             

     CIVIL WAR                    INSPECTION CENTER            "NIKE" MISSILES     

       

             According to what Dais heard our boss and Mr. Dave talking about, during the Civil War artillery fortifications were set up on Angel Island.  From 1910 through 1940 there were Chinese Inspection Stations. out there.  Some of Heathcliff's Hens are clucking happily over there.

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

         Daisy heard Mr. Dave say in 1891 there was an outbreak of the "Bubonic Plague," so Angel Island was used as one of those "Quarantine Centers."  Our boss has told Mr. Dave about that College Research Project he did on the 14th century "Black Death."  A Lizard just ran bye.

                           

 RICHARD HENRY DANA (1815-1882)

       

                 Mr. Dave's customer said in the late 18th century the Spanish got fresh water and wood for their Ships from Angel Island.  In the 1820's, that guy Richard Henry Dana came out here to "Mexican" Alta California from New England; then wrote his book about it.   I smell Sage.

            I guess, the all the wooden Ships Richard Henry Dana was on "Refitted" at Angel Island; getting read for the long trip back home to "Massachusetts."  Someday, like our boss's mom; I'll read Richard Henry Dana's book "Two Years Before the Mast."  Andy's sniffing the air.

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

    

ROUTES BEFORE / AFTER PANAMA CANAL

             When gold was discovered in California in 1848 thousands of people came out here by wagon, but a map shows two of ways of getting here.  One was all the way around the bottom of South America, another through "Pana.  But that "Panama Canal" hadn't been built yet.

            Wow!  According to the map, in order to get from the Atlantic to the Pacific Oceans in the 1800's Ships had to sail thirteen thousand miles; while after the Panama Canal the distance was cut down to just five thousand two hundred miles.  A Train whistled faintly to my left. 

           Daisy heard Miss Susan tell Mr. Steve she and the Parts Manager in Concord talked about how there are so many towns and cities in the U.S. called Concord.  I mentioned earlier how the French word "concorde" means "agreement, harmony and union."  I smell Bravo Company.  

                   

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

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

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

            Samantha and Cristina graduated from the Lutheran "Middle School" in San Fernando, where Miss Peggy was the Principal; then going to Concordia High in Sylmar.  I've mentioned a few times Mr. Steve took Miss Peggy to her Sylmar High School "Prom."  I smell Juniper.   

     

      "CASA CONCORDIA" CRUISE SHIP (2012)                     STEVE / RONNA BANKS                                                       PHOTO BY GREGORIO BORGIA                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           

               Two years ago, Daisy saw on the News how the "Cruise" Ship "Casa Concordia" crashed into some rocks on the Italian west coast.  Thirty two people died in that "Maritime" disaster.  I guess, Mr. Steve's boss who died, and his wife Ronna; took trips on that Ship.  I smell Sage. 

           Steve Banks liked that the Casa Concordia was a "Casino" Ship for gambling, as I've said a few times in these first two books; he was a very talented "Poker" player.  Mr. Steve's father is also good.  Our boss likes playing along to Mr. Rich's band DRAGPIPE's song "Cruise." 

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

             

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

  (1959)                                                                                                    (1961)          

            

             The next thing to write about is the 1961 Cuban "Bay of Pigs" invasion, when "Exiles"  tried to overthrow Castro's Communist government.  But, it says here it "failed completely," a picture showing their dead bodies in the bed of a Truck like Rex.  A lizard just ran bye.  

             As I mentioned earlier, from 1898 until 1959 Cuba was "Unofficially" just an American colony; mainly controlled by our big corporations.  Mr. Steve helped his Nephew Mathew do that one report on it.  By the 1950's that guy Batista's totally corrupt government was in power .   

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

                                                 

                                                 DWIGHT EISENHOWER (1890-1969)

                 

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

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

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

                                      

                               "LUCKY" LUCIANO                     SANTO TRAFFICANTE 

(1914-1987)                                                                           (1897-1962)       

                           

               Besides Meyer Lansky, in 1959 Castro also took casinos from Lucky Luciano and Santo Trafficante.  Oh!  This Encyclopedia says Santo Trafficante from Florida, like Mr. Steve's Niece Samantha and Mr. Mark; was born on November the 15th.  Two of the Pigeons flew bye.

              Losing all that money, some in the Mafia were "willing to assist" the "C.I.A." try to kill Fidel Castro; his Communist government so close to Florida being a threat.  Those refugees also really wanted to go back and kill him too.  Dawn and Blinky are both barking over there.  

            The "Central Intelligence Agency" trained those exiles to return to Cuba, and in 1961 the "Bay of Pigs" invasion happened.  By then President Kennedy was in power, so "inherited" the Eisenhower project.  In a little while I'll learn about the "Cuban Missile Crisis" of 1962.      

           

        "THE GODFATHER"                           MEYER LANSKY (1902-1983)        

        

             Someday I want to see that 1972 movie "The Godfather."  Mr. Ralph told our boss, it has a character that "may have been partly based" on Lucky Luciano's Jewish Bookkeeper Meyer Lansky; who was friends with that other Jewish gangster "Bugsy" Segal.  I like Dawn.

            Anyway, I'll come back to the Bay of Pigs invasion and the Cuban Missile Crisis later in this tenth chapter.  Ah!  I just glanced up to see Fannie and Freddie chasing another Crow, who was probably a boy trying to steal Fannie from Freddie.  Blinky has such a nice scent.

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

          

"PORTOS" CUBAN BAKERY     

   

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

              On his episode, Huell Howser visited with the three generations of family who still work at Portos Bakery; as well as the loyal employees who've been there for years.  Our boss and Mr. Rich, who's Cuban; talked about the "regular" food at Portos.   I smell some Creosote.     

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

                                              

  LESLIE COOMBS BRAND (1859-1925)

    

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

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

          Daisy says our boss and Mr. Dave talked about another road named for Mr. Leslie, which runs through the cities of San Fernando and Mission Hills.  Mr. Steve, in that first dark green      Chevelle; taught people like Miss Sandy to drive a "stick shift" on that road.  I smell Sage.           

              

SYSTEM OF A DOWN

     

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

           Someday, I'll hear some S.O.A.D songs; which Daisy told me our boss and Mr. Dave like.   They both think their Guitarist, Bassist and Drummer are all "really talented," creating music    which is "kind of unique."   Mr. Steve thinks it's "hard to categorize" many of their songs.           

       Ah!  Speedy Gonzalez just whizzed through the right gate slot to run out into the desert.  Dust he raised is lingering in the air, and I can't help but thinking; one of these days he might      just miscalculate and hit his head hard on one of those steel pipes.  Andy's sniffing the air.                 

GLENDALE "BRAND "LIBRARY

      

      Daisy one time heard our boss and Mr. Mark talk about that tall lady Miss Helen, who worked with them back in the 1980's.  Mr. Steve told him about that time he drove her up to the  Glendale Library.  She couldn't walk that good by then so it was a special visit for her.                  

          That Library in Glendale was Leslie Coombs Brand and his wife's home, which according to this Encyclopedia was called "El Miradero;" or "The Vantage Point."  Hey God!  Miss Helen  liked to sit at a picnic table and "simply appreciate" You in nature.  I smell Andy over there.        

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

       

           Dais says our boss told his mom, at the Glendale Library he and Miss Helen talked about visiting the "Huntington" Library; which they've also walked around.  It's named for that man    Henry E. Huntington, Leslie Coombs Brand's friend.  Boy!  I like Henry Huntington's hat.           

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

       One time our Dais heard our boss and his dad talk about how, when their family came to California in 1960; Henry Huntington had this business that operated those "Streetcars" I've      mentioned before.  They were Trains powered by electricity.  Cleo and Leo are flying bye.             

      

L.A. STREETCARS 

     

          Mr. Ralph read those L.A. Streetcars "operated" from the 1890's until 1963; when our boss was eight.  That's also the year his sister Celina who died was born, his brother Sam being    one; their sister Susan arriving a year later.  In 1963 President Kennedy was assassinated.            

         Our boss doesn't remember seeing Street Cars, but later wondered about the "Submerged" railroad tracks on "Brand" Boulevard in San Fernando.  They weren't "above" ground tracks, but were down below the ground; the road still flat on top.  Blackbeard and Anne flew bye.          

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

JOHANNES GUTENBERG (c. 1393-1468)

         Oh!  I just thought of that German guy Johannes Gutenberg, who invented his "Printing Press" in the 15th century.  At the Huntington Library they have that Bible he printed.  Daisy      says Huell Howser went to a small Museum in the city of "Carson.  I smell some Penstemon.        

        I guess, that Museum is devoted to the history of "Printing Machines," one there being a replica of Gutenberg's printing press.   The man giving Huell Howser the tour demonstrated a      press like the one Benjamin Franklin used in the 18th century.  Andy's sniffing the air.                  

         Dais says Mr. Steve and his father, who saw that Huell Howser episode; have both driven    on "Torrance" Boulevard.  They talked about how that printing press museum is located on that street, which is near the 110 Freeway "Harbor Freeway."  A Train whistled over to my left.                                       

        HUELL HOWSER     

        ("INTERNATIONAL" PRINTING  MUSEUM / CARSON) 

                   

          I've mentioned before how Mr. Steve's parents like Huell Howser's tv show.  They were interested when that man at the printing press museum told Huell Howser it was "actually" the  Chinese who "invented" the "movable type" printing press.  A little Lizard is running bye.          

       Daisy and Millie noticed that smart man at the museum said the Chinese also invented paper, gunpowder; and the concept of a wheelbarrow.  That makes me think about that skinny    man who pushes his wheelbarrow on the road in front of our property.   Heathcliff crowed.          

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

                                                                    JUAN PADRÓN

                

               Daisy says the cartoon character Elpidio is a Soldier who fought against Spain, in the late 19th century; when Cuba was trying to gain independence.  According to the tv show, that guy Juan Padrón has been drawing Elpidio since 1970; when our boss was fifteen.  I smell Sage.

          At one time the name Elpidio was a pretty common first name in New Mexico.  Dais heard our boss's father say he has "fond memories" of wresting with a strong guy named Elpidio when  growing up in Jarales.  There's a Sparrow standing on a boulder below the Mulberry tree.

             I used my Spanish Dictionary to look up the word "Cubania," which I guess it would mean "Cuban identity."  That tv show said that guy Mr. Juan, who also drew this one "Vampire" type character named "Pepito;" used the term cubania.  Mr. Rich knows about that old name.

           

           AUSTIN / SUSAN /DALTON                                             CONNECTICUT                           

                  

         Our boss has told Mr. Rich his sister Susan, and sons Dalton and Austin; live in a twenty acre forest in "Stonington," Connecticut.  New Jersey, where Mr. Rich grew up; is kind of near    Connecticut according to what Dais and Millie heard him say.   Libby whinnied over there.          

       A map shows how Stonington is across the water from "Long Island" in New York City, where Miss Emily grew up.  That one Monarch Butterfly just now fluttered bye, which makes      me think that Mr. Ramon the Auto Mechanic's favorite color is orange.  I like orange too.             

          Both of Mr. Steve's Grandfather's first name was "Esquipula," at one time also a common name in New Mexico.  Daisy told me how Mr. Steve's father at times jokingly calls Dalton and Austin in Connecticut "Tranquelino" and "Policarpio."  Those are New Mexico names too.                                

WORLD WAR II        

("NAZI" GERMANY / "SOVIET" RUSSIA)

         

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

           Mr. Steve's dad think it was mainly Stalin's Soviet Union who ended up "doing the heavy lifting" in beating Nazi Germany.  But, they lost over twenty five million people; in five years.  This Encyclopedia says it was the, "bloodiest conflict of arms in all of human history." 

           As I've said, even though England and the U.S. hated Communism, once Hitler attacked Stalin's Russia they became allies.  But, after the war the U.S.S.R. became our "Arch" enemy in the "Cold War;" which is why the U.S. had that "Operation Paperclip."  Dawn's barking.  

                                 

                               JOHN GLENN                                    "MERCURY SEVEN" 

                               

             I looked up John Glenn, an Astronaut who later a "Senator" from the State of "Ohio." In that Cold War, from 1945 through 1991; "Socialist Communist" Russia competed with the U.S. "Capitalist Democracy."   They did this up there in Outer Space too.  I smell Manzanita.  

           According to my Encyclopedia, in 1943 that guy John Glenn was a World War II Fighter Pilot; against the Japanese out there in the Pacific Theater.  At first flew "Wildcats;" later those much better "Corsairs."  Our boss told Mr. Phillip, as a kid he built a model of a Corsair.

          Mentioning John Glenn and Outer Space suddenly makes me think about that very first "Satellite" called "Sputnik I."  I've mentioned how in 1957, when the Soviet Union shot it up into Space it really scared President Eisenhower's government.  Cleo and Leo flew bye.    

          

   "SPUTNIK I" SATELITE    

     (OCTOBER 4, 1957)        

ARTWORK BY ERIK SIMONSEN    

          

            One time Daisy and Millie heard our boss talking with his brother Rock about how, two weeks before Rock was born in October; the U.S.S.R. put Sputnik up into space.  As I've said a few times, it "Triggered" the "Space Race."  Two Motorcycles went bye on Primavera Road.

            During the Cold War anything which gave one side an advantage was huge.  It says here, "in reaction" to Sputnik the U.S. began that "Mercury" program; one of the Astronauts being John Glenn.  A small Wren is standing on one of the boulders below the Mulberry tree.

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

           

                  MIG-15 / F-86 "SABRE"                                           TED WILLIAMS

                      PAINTING BY ROY GRINNELL                                                                                                                                                                                                        

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                

         This is interesting.  It says here John Glenn was a "Marine" Fighter Pilot in the Korean War; serving with that Baseball Player Ted Williams.  Mr. Steve's dad in that war tried to be a    Pilot but his eyesight wasn't good enough.  A Train whistled faintly over there to my left.               

        Oh!  Just like Ted Williams, John Glenn flew those "F-86 Sabres" I've written about.  In combat they "faced" those Russian "Mig-15's."  I guess John Glenn's dad fought the Germans    in World War I.  I just noticed Cher in front of Jack the biggest Shed eating a Lizard.                    

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

                   "LAIKA"                                                       "HAM"                   

                            (NOVEMBER 3, 1957)                                                          (JANUARY 31, 1961)                         

                                                                                                                

          I just thought of that brave Chimpanzee "Ham," who was sent into space in 1961.   Daisy heard our boss's parents, at "Fund Raisers" for John Glenn running for President; met he and    his wife a few times.  Cher disappeared and I can see by his body language Andy is calm.              

         Mr. Steve's parents donated money to John Glenn's "Campaigns" for President, and say his wife named "Annie" was very friendly too.  Ah!  Out of the corner of my eye I just saw Cher  slink quickly behind that wood pile in front of the back fence.  Andy's sniffing the air.                    

          This Encyclopedia says John Glenn was the first American to "orbit" the Earth, the third into Outer Space and fifth person overall.  It was the Russians who were the first ones to do it.  A Sparrow landed on a boulder below the Mulberry tree, looked around; then zipped away.                                 

 JOHN GLENN WITH WIFE ANNIE   

           

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

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

            Hey God!  I guess, while Mr. Steve's dad was in Korea his mom and future wife went to a lot of Catholic "Masses" asking You to please protect him; which You must have because he's still alive to this very day.  He did get two "Frostbitten" feet however.  Ah!  The air is so fresh.   

    

                                                               "KOREAN WAR"

                                                          MR. STEVE'S FATHER (1951 / ON LEFT)

   

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

           Mrs. Glenn told Mr. Steve's mom her favorite "Charity" is helping "Disabled" people, and because they had already given money for the "Handicapped;" the sent her money too.  As Daisy says, we should be grateful we're not handicapped and have good working bodies.   

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

          

                          MR. EDDIE                                                               RICK ALLEN

       

               I just thought of Mr. Eddie, who was born with no arms; but to make money sings and plays drums over there in Phelan.   He's one of those "Buskers," and Mr. Steve admires him so always gives him money; and has helped him set up his equipment.  A small Lizard ran bye.

            Our boss saw DEF LEPPARD play that time, and told Mr. Eddie about their Drummer Rick Allen; who lost an arm in that Car crash.  Mr. Steve was so impressed in seeing how Rick Allen "adapted" and "relearned" how to play this one arm.  He and Mr. Eddie are brave.  

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

                            

EDDIE SPAGHETTI        

                              

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

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

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

   

"NUCLEAR" BOMB EXPLOSION

     

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

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

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

   

     JOHN HERSEY (1914-1993)

   

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

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

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

                                                                 "HIROSHIMA," JAPAN (AUGUST 6, 1945)   

                                                                                                                              

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

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

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

 

"ENERGY"

    

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

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

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

          

                     ERNEST RUTHERFORD                               ALBERT EINSTEIN                             

(1871-1937)                                                                             (1879-1955)       

                 

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

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

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

                                         

"NUCLEAR" FUSION

          

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

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

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

                                   

2014 FORD "FUSION"  

        

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

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

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

        

"WHITE SANDS," NEW MEXICO

     

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

            This is kind of interesting how, after World War II during that "Cold War; White Sands was where some of the "Operation Paperclip" German Scientists worked.  Oh!  One was that guy Werner Von Braun, who worked on his Rockets there.  I'd like to smell white sand.        

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

     

J. ROBERT OPPENHEIMER (1904-1967) 

     

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

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

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

    

GEORGIA O'KEEFE (1887-1986)

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

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

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

                      

                     J.ROBERT OPPENHEIMER                                         ATOMIC BLAST

  

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

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

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

          

WILLIAM JAMES SIDIS (1898-1944)       

        

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

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

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

     

                                RUSSIAN "POGROM"                                       "ELLIS" ISLAND        

  

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

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

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

  

AFTERNOON DESERT SKY

  

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

          Mr. Steve's father thinks people like William Sidis, who knew a lot about the subjects of "Physics" and in particular "Thermodynamics;" might just want to "focus and concentrate" on their work rather than make friends?  Samson and Delilah flew bye.  The air is so clear.     

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

                                              

                                                          B-29 "SUPER FORTRESS"

                                                 (BOMBING OF "HIROSHIMA" / AUGUST 6, 1945)  

                                                                   PAINTING BY MARC STEWART    

      

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

          It says here the B-29, which had four huge propeller engines; "came into service" in mid-1944.  It was good at "strategic" bombing from "high altitude," and could also fly at night for      "incendiary" bombing; or those bombs that burn everything.  Andy's sniffing the air.                    

        Mr. Ivan read what it says here too, that the B-29 had what's called a "primitive analog" computer?  I guess it was set up to automatically put out fires, and also allow the crew to fire all four "turret" machine guns "remotely."  Boy!  Smelling Libby makes me feel so good.                                        

AIRPLANE "WHEEL CONFIGURATION"                 AUSTIN / SUSAN / DALTON               

          

             I guess the B-29 used what they call the "Tricycle" wheel set up for landing a really big Plane.  Mr. Steve's father said during the Korean War he flew in "taildraggers," with the third wheel in back.  I've mentioned Nephew Dalton, who's dad is a Pilot; wants to be a Pilot.  

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

            Daisy heard our boss's Nephew Dalton tell him how, "braking too hard" when landing a  taildragger Plane is "more difficult."  If you press the brakes with too much force you might do what they call a "Head Stand," which is "really bad."  Libby just whinnied over there. 

                                        

                                                  NAGASAKI "FAT MAN" BOMB

                                                              (AUGUST, 9 1945)   

          

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

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

            Mr. Steve's father thinks there's a "good possibility" nuclear war will happen, although only eight countries "officially" have nuclear weapons; Israel not admitting it.  In World II they were used "Strategically," in the future they might be "Tactically" deployed.  I smell Sage.

           

                                        INDIA / PAKISTAN BORDER CEREMONY  

                     

          Dais saw a tv show about India and Pakistan, which is where our boss's dad and Mr. Ivan think it's "most likely" a Nuclear War may happen; possibly over the disputed "Kashmir" area.   LED ZEPPELIN have a song called Kashmir Daisy says.  Blackbeard and Anne flew bye.            

         Wow!  A picture of the nightly ceremony on the Indian and Pakistani border shows those great hats the Soldiers wear Dais told me about.  She's was so right in saying I do like fancy hats like these alright.   Oh!  I smell Bravo Company out there in the desert behind the Sheds.             

     Since I'm writing about nuclear wars, I might as well talk about these two things in Los Angeles called the "Roads to Nowhere" and the "Bridge to Nowhere."  It's actually on my book  three outline but I can do it now instead.  A Train whistled faintly way over to my left.                                             

    "ROAD TO NOWHERE"          

("SAN GABRIEL" MOUNTAINS / TUNNEL)          

            PHOTO BY RAMIDOGG                         

                             

            I've mentioned how one of Mr. Steve's friends growing up was named "Chris."  He went to "St. Ferdinands," but then Sylmar High instead of Alemany.  Chris liked to hike and one time  went all the way up to see these tunnels built on an unfinished or "abandoned" 1950's road.         

           Mr. Ivan said, since L.A. was a "logical target" of the Soviet Union during the Cold War; in 1956 it was decided to create an "escape route" for people trying to get out of the city in the      event of a nuclear attack.  Mr. Steve was born in 1955.  His brother Rock came in 1957.                 

          Beyond Libby's Corral are those "San Gabriel" mountains, which separates Sylmar from us here in Piñon Hills.  That abandoned road in them is now called the Road to Nowhere, and it  would've cut right through and come out up there near Wrightwood.  Heathcliff crowed.                                    

      "TUNNEL TO NOWHERE"                                   MR. IVAN                             

        

      We heard Mr. Ivan says some prisoners or "Convicts" were forced to build the Road to Nowhere.  They had only finished two tunnels on that road before construction stopped in 1969,  when Mr. Steve was only fourteen. "Inmate" is just another name for a prisoner I guess.               

       Mr. Mark read the "Book of Revelation," so our boss told him in 1985 the St. Ferdinands Tour Group went to this place in Israel called "Tel Megiddo."  The Book of Revelation says the    final battle at the end of the world will take place at "Megiddo.   Two Crows are fighting.             

        The Tour Guide Haim said, because Megiddo was at a "strategic crossroads of trade routes between Egypt and Mesopotamia;" since ancient times "many battles have been fought" in the    "Jezreel Valley."  In 1985 the Tour Group walked around ruins of an old fort at Megiddo.                           

    "TEL MEGIDDO" RUINS (ISRAEL)        

PHOTO BY STEVE CÓRDOVA        

           

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

           In 1949, the year after Israel became a country; one of those "Kibbutz's" was set up near "Mount Megiddo." The Tour Guide Haim had lived at that kibbutz but originally came to Israel from "Argentina," and said Mexican Jews were members of that kibbutz.  I smell Sage.                

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

"BRIDGE TO NOWHERE"    

("SAN GABRIEL" MOUNTAINS)       

        PHOTO BY JACKSON HICKEY              

     

         About thirty years before the Road to Nowhere in 1956, another road was attempted in the San Gabriel Mountains; intended to cut through to the High Desert up here.  But now, I guess      the only thing left is called the "Bridge to Nowhere."  Mr. Chris and this girl hiked up to it.          

        Mr. Ivan said in 1939, the year World War II started when Germany and the Soviet Union  conquered Poland; a huge storm hit California so that road were cancelled.   Well, it's back to      learning more about Cuba for me.  Boy!  I really love finding out about all these new things.        

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

               ISLAND OF "CUBA"                          "CHE GUEVARA / FIDEL CASTRO          

                         

        Mr. Ivan thinks President Kennedy only "reluctantly" gave Eisenhower's 1961 invasion plan the "okay."  I guess, in 1961 that guy Luis Tiant was up in the U.S. playing Baseball.  Mr.    Steve, who was six in 1961; has been told Fidel Castro was a pretty good Baseball player.              

         A map shows where the Bay of Pigs battle happened in 1961, when those refugee's tried to "re-take" the island.  You can see how close Cuba is to southern Florida, which the caption here  says is only ninety miles away.  Two Motorcycles zoomed bye out there on Primavera Road.         

     This man told Mr. Steve's father his relative was "cut in half" by an artillery shell in the failed  Bay of Pigs invasion.  But he said, "at least' his family got the two halves back; so could    have him "buried properly."  Dawn and Blinky are both barking over there next door.                         

"BAY OF PIGS" (APRIL, 1961)  

         

               One time our boss and Mr. Rich, who I've mentioned a few times is Cuban; talked about what this one Encyclopedia describes as the Bay of Pigs "debacle."  Fidel Castro, who knew "in  advance" about that invasion; "met and stopped them on the beaches."  Heathcliff crowed.          

           That man whose relative was cut in half didn't like President Kennedy, because he didn't supply the invaders with the "promised" air support in 1961.  Without any Airplanes to "cover"  them, the invaders were "cut to pieces" and "slaughtered."  I smell Andy over there.                     

            Many of the survivors of the disastrous Bay of Pigs invasion were really mad at President Kennedy too I guess, blaming him for what happened.  When he was killed in Texas in 1963, they definitely had a "Motive;" but not the "Means" or "Opportunity."  Two Pigeons flew bye.           

                  

  "CUBAN MISSILE CRISIS" (OCTOBER, 1962)                              "U2" SPY PLANE                                                     

             Oh what the heck!  I might as well learn about the 1962 "Cuban Missile Crisis" now even though this is not where Dais and I have it on my outline.  It happened the year after the Bay of    Pigs when the U.S. found out Soviet missiles were being set up on Cuba.  Libby whinnied.             

           My Encyclopedia says in 1962 one of those U2 Spy Plane's I've written about took pictures of the missiles on Cuba.  President Kennedy told the Russians to "remove" them, sending some    warships to "blockade" anything from getting into Cuba.  I smell the baby Cholla cactus.             

          I'll bet the Soviets didn't think the U.S. would notice nuclear missiles, so it's a good thing we had U2's.  Eventually, in a trade; they removed them and we took away our nuclear missiles   Turkey.  "Backed Down" and took all of the    big missiles back to the Soviet Union, but it was what they call a really "Close Call."                      

                                    

    "CUBAN MISSILE CRISIS" (OCTOBER, 1962)

          The leader of the Soviet Union in 1962 was that guy Nikita Khrushchev, who had met with President Kennedy the year before.  A picture shows him with Fidel Castro, and a map shows the naval blockade and "range of those missiles had they become operational."  I smell Sage.             

        I guess, had all of those "medium range ballistic missiles" been installed; they could have hit much of the U.S.  But luckily when President Kennedy warmed him, Khrushchev "backed      down;" but it was a "Close Call" as they say.  A flock of Birds is flying over Libby's Corral.         

         One time, as our boss worked in the living room; Daisy and Millie saw a tv show that said a Soviet Submarine almost fired a nuclear torpedo in "retaliation" against a U.S. Warship trying    to sink it in 1962.  But luckily the Captain decided against it and may've "Saved the World.                                   

     STANISLAV PETROV            

                         

        Daisy told me the tv show said "twice" since World War II the "world came close" to Nuclear War.  My Encyclopedia says how, in 1983 a Russian man named Stanislav Petrov also      "saved the world."  A Train whistled faintly over there in the northern desert to my left.               

         I guess, in 1983 that "N.A.T.O." organization did this "training exercise" called "Able Archer;" which "triggered" a Soviet "early warning system."  But fortunately for the world that guy Stanislav Petrov knew it had "malfunctioned."  And he turned out to be totally correct.         

             Mr. Stanislav's experience, in 1983 when his computer "indicated" an attack; "told him" it was a "false alarm."  So, he did nothing that would've "initiated" a "retaliatory response."   Heathcliff just crowed over there, and the sound of his cackling Hens makes me feel good.                                                                           

            MARGARET THATCHER WITH FAMILY                        NANCY/ RONALD REAGAN                                                                                                                                                   

     England's Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, the "Iron Lady" who President Reagan admired; was in power at the time of Able Archer.  Since "Maggie" is short for "Margaret," my  actual name must be that too. Mr. Steve's mom's "Middle" name is "Margaret" I guess.               

         As I've written, N.A.T.O. stands for "North Atlantic Treaty Organization," and that union was started by Europe's countries after World War II; to protect themselves from Stalin's Cold    War Soviet Empire.  I smell the Joshua tree's near Libby's Corral.  Andy's looking at me.             

       The third time a mistake almost "Ignited" a nuclear war was in 1995, five years after the Soviet Union broke apart and fell.  The tv show said, in the country of  "Norway;" a Rocket was launched into the atmosphere to do experiments.  Daisy says the "Russians" detected it.                                                            

     BORIS YELTSIN (1931-2007)           

                                

      That tv show said in 1995, when that Rocket was launched from Norway; the Russian computers again indicated a "Nuclear First Strike."  But the Russian President Boris Yeltsin,      knowing the Cold War was over; decided "not to respond."  It's "a good thing" Daisy says.          

           Dais heard our boss tell his dad one time how Mark Ritter thought it a "coincidence," in 1983 or year of Able Archer; a movie called "War Games" came out.  Mr. Steve has never seen it but has been told about it over the years.  Frida and Diego are flying toward the northeast.           

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

        

                                 "WAR GAMES" (1983)                            STEPHEN HAWKING FAMILY

         

           Mr. Dave said one of his old Motorcycle Shop customers told him the main character in the movie War Games was "partially based on a young Stephen Hawking."  He heard President  Reagan later saw that movie and it "made an impression" on him.  Heathcliff crowed.                  

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

           Boy!  The Germans killed about twenty five million Russians during World War II, and in the early 19th century Napoléon invaded Russia; so Stalin didn't want that to happen again.  It      made "strategic sense" to keep those countries after the war our boss thinks.  I smell Sage.                     

"TEHRAN" CONFERENCE (NOVEMBER, 1943)      

    

          I'm looking at that picture of the time in late 1943 when President Roosevelt flew over to Iran and met with Winston Churchill and Joseph Stalin.   There was still two more years to go in World War II.  Andy's sniffing the air and I think he can smell me over here on the Patio.             

        At the time of the "Tehran Conference," that huge Battle of Kursk had been fought four months earlier; so the Soviets were pushing the Nazis back to Germany.  In the Pacific Theater,    General MacArthur was pressing the Japanese back toward Japan.  Dawn's barking.                    

       Daisy says our boss's father thinks, because of Napoléon's invasion a century earlier, and then what happened in 1941; to a certain extent it "made sense" for Stalin to not "give up" the    countries.  Not only that, he "wanted to spread" Communism.  I smell some Joshua trees.           

     

    OPERATION "BARBAROSSA" (1941)                    "POST WAR" EUROPE  (1945)              

  

         A map shows 1941, when Nazi Germany attacked their then ally Soviet Russia; making it almost to "Moscow."  But from mid-1943 on, it was the Russians "on the offensive" in pushing    Hitler's forces back westward.  A map shows the countries Stalin kept after World War II.            

        Wow!  From June through December 7, 1941, when Japan attacked the U.S.; three million Russian Soldiers were killed and as many captured in Hitler's "hope for" Blitzkrieg.  But his big  gamble failed, "lucky for the world" Daisy says; and I agree with her.  I smell Manzanita.            

        Dais says our boss's dad thinks, Russia's bloody history "had to have had" an influence on Stalin's thinking in 1945 so; the idea to "control a big area" between Europe and Russia seemed logical.  The shadows are now starting to really lean away from me over here on the Patio.            

              

                                KGB                        VLADIMIR PUTIN         WITH DAUGHTERS                                        

         When the post World War II "Soviet Empire" fell in 1991, "amazingly" our boss and his father think; there was "almost no bloodshed."  Russia's leader, since 2000; has been Vladimir    Putin, who Daisy heard is three years older than our boss.  I can hear Sparrows chirping.             

       Boy!  Russian Names are long.  Vladimir Putin, before being Russian "President;" was an "Intelligence Officer" in that "K.G.B."  This one Encyclopedia says that would be "Komitet  Gosudarstvennoy Buzopasnosti," or "Committee for State Security."  I love Dictionaries.             

    This one Russian lady told our boss Vladimir Putin is from "St. Petersburg," formerly "Leningrad."  Two brothers died before he was born, and one during the war.  In World War II  his  father was "severely" wounded and Uncles were "never heard from again" she said.              

               

      CURRENT 2014 EUROPE (SINCE EARLY 1990'S)

       

           Daisy says the lady told Mr. Steve Vladimir Putin, whose Grandmother also died during World War II; is mad about how weak Russia is now.  He doesn't like that all those countries in  Stalin's buffer zone are independent countries.  Mr. Steve's dad thinks he wants them back.         

           The other day Mr. Ivan and our boss talked about those former Iron Curtain nations, and how it seems like Vladimir Putin wants them back.  He retook "Georgia" in 2008, and recently    attacked "Ukraine;" where that city of  "Kiev" is located.  Two of the Pigeons flew bye.                

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

          

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

    

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

         The years right after World War II turned out to be important, in 1947 the "C.I.A." was created; a year later Israel began and that "Marshall Plan" happened.  And in 1949 "Chairman Mao's" Communist's finally won the long civil war against the "Nationalists."  I smell Sage.        

          1949 was also when N.A.T.O. began.  Canada and the U.S., with some Western European countries; "pledged" to defend each other if Stalin's Soviet Union and his "Eastern Block" allies attacked.  Over the years I guess Mr. Phillip has read a lot about Europe since World War II.          

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

              

         The Russian lady said, in 1991 when the Soviet Empire "disintegrated;"  Vladimir Putin was stationed in "East" Germany.  His Grandfather was Lenin and Stalin's Cook.  In the living    room, up on top of the entertainment center; are some military "Visor," or "Peaked" hats.           

           Mr. Phillip told our boss about Vladimir Putin's 2003 visit to England, when he rode in a Wagon with that lady Queen Elizabeth II's oldest son Prince Charles.  Mr. Steve told his mom      about a Wagon ride he and Miss Sandy took one time.  Samson and Delilah are flying bye.            

        After World War II the U.S. "policy of containment" toward Communism's expansion  made Stalin "even more paranoid" I guess.  President Truman hated Communism, so was the      "polar opposite" of Stalin.  Containment worked in Korea; but then failed later in Vietnam.                

 MILITARY PARADES   

("RED SQUARE" / MOSCOW) 

                            

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

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

         The Cold War containment policy is also called the "Truman Doctrine."  I'll bet Stalin was glad he'd kept those eastern European countries his armies overran at the end of World War II.  That "Sphere of Influence," to counter N.A.T.O.; was that "Warsaw Pact" I wrote about.                                    

            "POST" WORLD WAR II EUROPE                                   MR. IVAN                                    

  

         Mr. Ivan told our boss in 1945 after World War II that German city "Berlin" was in the Soviet area, but the Allies "wanted" sections too; which this good map shows.  In the army and    stationed in Germany in 1950; he met his wife Miss Helga in "West Germany."  I smell Sage.       

        You can see how post war Berlin was "divided into four areas," three "administered" or governed by each of the Second World War "victors."  Stalin did not like having to "share the      city" Mr. Ivan said, especially because it was in his zone.  Andy's over there looking at me.            

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

NAKITA KRUSHCHEV (1894-1971) 

(MOSCOW / "RED SQUARE" / MAY 1963) 

    

         Joseph Stalin died in 1953, so that guy Nikita Khrushchev took over as the Soviet leader.  The photo from 1963 shows he and Cuba's Fidel Castro holding hands, while reviewing one of      those military parades.  Theodora just went running bye and is now flying into the desert.            

     Oh!  I just thought about how, eight months before this picture was taken; the "Cuban Missile Crisis" had happened.  And, only six months after that; President Kennedy would be        killed in Texas.  I see my collection of things to chew on at the end of the Patio to my left.              

       In 1962, during the Cuban Missile Crisis; the world was almost blown up.  But President Kennedy's naval blockade of Cuba, just like President Lincoln's "Anaconda" blockade during    the American Civil War; must've been pretty effective.  Some Sparrows are singing happily.               

"CUBAN MISSILE CRISIS" (OCTOBER, 1962)

  

        Daisy says our boss's dad mentioned what "good judgement" that Russian Submarine Captain showed in 1962.  When the American warship dropped a "Depth Charge" on him, he      didn't shoot his nuclear equipped torpedo "in response."  I can smell Bravo Company.                  

          My Encyclopedia says the Russian Captain thought a Nuclear War might've started, but his decision not fire nuclear torpedo's was made after "consulting" two other Officers.  So, the    world "may have been saved from destruction."  Samson and Delilah are flying bye.                     

          I guess one Officer, maybe like Stanislav Petrov in 1983; sensed the dropping of the depth charge was meant only as warning and not an aggressive attack.  Whew!  Thank You God if You helped us down here back in 1962.  I now see Bravo Company out there behind the Sheds.            

                                                   "STASSI" POLICE                   BERLIN WALL            WEST / EAST BORDER                           

        

        After World War II East and West Germany's were divided, and in the late 1950's East Germans tried to escape; angering Nakita Khrushchchev.  I've mentioned that one real "Stassi" police helmet our boss has in the living room.  He's shown it to other people like Mr. Ivan.            

        It says here, that guy Khruschchev decided to build the "Berlin Wall" to divide the two areas.  That was in August of 1961, when our boss was six; his brother four.  I've said over these three days how their mom was born on August the 20th, his sister Celina on the 28th.                    

          Berlin became two "island cities" in 1961, with one hundred miles of twelve foot tall walls made of "reinforced concrete;" and "mine fields" and "barbed wire" too.  It was actually two      walls with one of those "Killing Zones" I've mentioned in between them.   A Crow cawed.             

                  

"FALL OF BERLIN WALL" (NOVEMBER, 1989)

PHOTO BY ANDREE KAISER

   

            The Berlin Wall "Symbolized" the Cold War, so when parts of it were torn down by big    crowds of Germans in 1989; it was a "really big deal" Mr. Steve thinks.  Daisy says those East      German Stassi Police stopped killing people trying to leave.  A Train just whistled faintly.             

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

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

BUCE SPRINGSTEEN

         Mr. Steve's dad isn't interested in modern music, but was impressed when told of a 1988 East Berlin Bruce Springsteen concert; the year before the Berlin Wall fell.  Bruce Springsteen    told the crowd he "hoped" someday to have "no barriers."  Maybe the people felt Rhema?          

       Our boss's father, having studied a lot of history, says "it's a wonder" there was so little bloodshed when the Soviet Union broke apart.  So, at times he's wondered if "Popular Culture"  was possibly "an influence" on that happening?  Sparrows are singing out in the desert.               

       Someday I'll see that film of a famous 1991 concert, where bands like METALLICA and PANTERA were allowed to play; in the Russian city of "Moscow."  Daisy says it "had to be" the biggest audience in history.  Those Sparrows are giving me energy to finish this second book.           

      METALLICA                        MOSCOW                          PANTERA            

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

                                                                                                                                                                                PHOTO BY JOE GIRON

   

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

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

            Ah!  I'm suddenly having one of those Déjà Vu feelings because, another time Heathcliff crowed just as I hear in my head Beethoven's song "Ode to Joy."  Daisy told me it was played by many Germans back in 1989 when the Berlin Wall was torn down.  I smell Andy over there.                                     

     LUDWIG VAN BEETHOVEN (1770-1827)           WILL / ARIEL DURANT                    

PAINTING BY JOSEPH KARL STIELER                                                                                                                                                          

           

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

          On that one morning last Summer Mr. Steve played Ode to Joy on his Boombox as he cut weeds back here.  Using his old scythe he's had for all these years, we could tell by how he was      chopping the weeds the music was giving him energy.  It's giving me energy right now!                  

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

                      ANA MONTES                                   HER "ENCRYPTION" / "DECRYPTIAN" SHEET

     

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

        The man said Ana Montes' family was originally from Spain, but she grew up here in the U.S.  Even when young she was a "Leftist," supporting such groups as those "Sandanistas" in      "Nicaragua."  Mr. Rich's father, before going to Cuba; is also originally from Spain too.               

       As an "Analyst" for that "Defense Agency," Ana Montes sent a lot of secret information down to Cuba.  Dais says when the Mexican man told our boss her middle name is "Belén," Mr.  Steve then told him about his parents home town in New Mexico.  Frida and Diego flew bye.        

                     

BEFORE                "TWIN TOWERS"             SEP. 11, 2001       

                                                                                                                                             PHOTO BY SEAN ADAIR

               

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

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

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

     

            AFGHANISTAN                           

               

         A map shows in green where Afghanistan is located and, in orange you can see how huge in size the Soviet Union was in 1979; when they attacked Afghanistan.  That was also the same year Iraq attacked Iran, and they fought during the 1980's too.  There's a vapor trail in the sky.           

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

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

        

OSAMA BIN LADEN (1957-2011)      

        

           Daisy says one time at Coffee & Cream our boss and Mr. Hussein talked about Osama bin Laden, whose group blew up those buildings in New York City.  He was born in Saudi Arabia,      just a few months before Mr. Steve's brother Rock I guess.  Blackbeard and Anne flew bye.          

         A while back Mr. Steve bought things from a man from the "United Arab Emirates," but grew up in Saudi Arabia.  He said his dad knew Osama bin Laden's father in the "construction" field.  Andy's very unique scent just came floating in to me sitting over here on the Patio.              

     Our boss told the guy from "U.A.E.," which is one of those "Oil Kingdoms;" in 1977 his Uncle Marty took he and his brother Rock up to the top of the "World Trade Center" buildings  al-Queda destroyed.  That man joked, "I'm quite afraid of heights."  I might too I think.                  

"COFFEE & CREAM"    

(MR. HUSSEIN)

       Mr. Hussein once explained to our boss and his parents what the "Islamic" concept of "Jihad" means.  It can be "any" type of struggle" a person goes through "in the name" of Islam he said.  Heathcliff just crowed and his Hens all clucking sounds so good to me right now.             

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

        This Encyclopedia calls Afghanistan the "crossroads of the world."  Because it's close to those "Trade Routes," like the "Silk Road" for example; that area of the world has had "a "long and bloody" history.  I really like smelling the new baby Cholla cactus growing over there.               

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

    

        The Soviet Union invading Afghanistan in 1979 was just a "modern version" of what has happened since the time of Alexander the Great.  A map of his big Empire shows how his army    conquered the land all the way east over to India.  I see Libby over there in her Corral.                 

           It says here some of Alexander's last and "most difficult conquests" came in Afghanistan.  Over the centuries, Afghanistan has been invaded many times; including in the 13th century by Genghis Khan's Mongol "Horde."  I just thought of Alexander's black Horse Bucephalus.            

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

PAINTING         "CHARGE OF THE LIGHT BRIGADE"         MOVIE                   

    PAINTING BY RICHARD CATON WOODVILLE JR.                                                                                                                                                                                            

         

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

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

          Mr. Steve met a guy who, in 2002; fought in Afghanistan after we invaded to get rid of the Taliban government who were protecting Osama bin Laden.  I've mentioned how "al-Qaeda's"    actual name is "Qaedat al-Jihad."  I smell Andy over there, and also the Twin Joshua trees.                                                  

BEFORE                                   AFTER       

"BAMIYAN" BUDDHIST STATUES       

("BAMIYAN" VALLEY / AFGHANISTAN)      

PHOTO BY MUZAMMI PASHA           PHOTO BY SAYED SALAHUDDIN        

        

           A tv show Dais saw said the "Taliban" government, being "Fundamentalist;" destroyed some old Buddhist statues in Afghanistan.  They don't believe in "Icons."  I guess "talib" just      means "student," and their real full government name is "Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan."        

           Mr. Hussein says talib means "people who study the Koran."  I've mentioned before how Muslims don't think it's right to "Depict" living things, so instead do artwork in complex and      complicated geometric patterns; like at that Mosque in Córdoba.  Libby just whinnied.                 

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

       

            BUDDHA                                           STATUES IN FRONT YARD

   

     

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

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

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

      

THE "TWIN" JOSHUA TREES    

           Because they were protecting and allowing Osama bin Laden and al-Qaeda to live in Afghanistan; the second President Bush ordered one of those "Regime Changes" I've mentioned before.  But, to this day; the Taliban are still fighting.  I can smell the Twins out there.                   

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

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

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

(JUNE, 1985)

PHOTO BY STEVE CÓRDOVA

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

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

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

                                             NAZIS                      INVASION OF POLAND (1939)                  SOVIETS                                                         

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

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

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

        

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

  DALAI LAMA / JOHN PAUL II 

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

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

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

POPE JOHN PAUL II

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

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

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

                 

             WITH ASSASSIN           POPE JOHN PAUL II              IN HOSPITAL               

     

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

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

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

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

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

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

        

           LEONID ILICH BREZHNEV (1906-1982)   

    PAINTING BY IGOR RADOMAN

         

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

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

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

 

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

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

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