Book 2 Chapter 12a – Maggie Cordova

(Chapter 12 / Book 2)

5:30

LATE AFTERNOON

Well You Guys up there, I can't believe this is the final chapter of my second what have turned out to be really long books. I have to work fast as the Sun is going down, and it's getting darker. Andy's over there sniffing the air, to make sure Cher or Goliath aren't around.

Heathcliff just crowed. Boy! Hearing his voice and also the sound of his Hens clucking happily is making me feel so glad to be here sitting on you Elvira. Thank Everyone up there for helping me so much again all of today because I couldn't have done it all by myself.

A Train whistled faintly way out there in the desert to the northeast. For some reason that makes me appreciate how lucky we are living here in Piñon Hills. Ah! Hearing that Train, and also at the same time smelling Libby too; is making me remember that evening last Summer.

FREIGHT TRAIN LIBBY

Oh! Libby's over there looking in this direction, which is now really making me have one of those Déjá Vu feelings. The Train just whistled again. I have to hurry up and finish this final chapter because, just like yesterday; the Sun is going down fast behind me to the west.

I just thought of that morning when Mr. Randy told our boss about the "Mustang Spirit" Horse ranch here in Piñon Hills. It's near he and his mom's house and they rescue Horses from what we heard her say. The shadows are now stretching away from me here on the Patio.

A girl named Tanya tries to help Horses, Donkeys and Mules that no one wants anymore. Miss Susan mentioned "Obstacle Courses, so Mr. Steve told her about his sister Susan and her Pony "Dinky;" and how they jumped over barriers. I'll bet Dinky was a very smart Horse.

"SANTA BARBARA" MISSION "FRANCISCAN" PRIESTS

One time Daisy and I heard our boss tell Miss Susan how the Santa Barbara Mission is the only one of the twenty one "Alta" California Missions still run by the "Franciscan" Priests. My Encyclopedia says it was the tenth Mission established. I can smell Libby over there.

I guess, Father Serra started the first nine Missions up here but died in 1784, a year when the Revolutionary War was still going on back east. Santa Barbara Mission was set up in 1786 by Father Serra's "successor" named Father Fermin de Lasuén. He was a "Basque."

It says here Father Lasuén named Santa Barbara Mission after a Greek Saint whose head was cut off by her father because she refused to stop being a Christian. Daisy had told me about the tv show that mentioned the same thing. Fred, Ed and Ted are flying bye right now.

"FRAY" JUNIPERO SERRA FATHER FERMIN DE LASUÉN

(0000-0000) (1736-1803)

PHOTO BY STEVE CÓRDOVA PHOTO BY MARK CHURMS

The tv show called Father Lasuén the "Forgotten Friar" in comparison to Father Serra. He was the second "Presidente" of the Alta California Missions. My Encyclopedia says he was born on July 7th. I've mentioned a few times how our boss's birthday is July 9th.

Mr. Steve and his mom one time talked about how Father Serra, when he set up the first nine Missions; didn't really care about how a building looked, as long as it was "Functional." I guess he was a "strict utilitarian" like it says here. I can smell Theodora's Creosote bush.

I guess, Father Lasuén brought up some Artists from Mexico to build the Missions he was assigned to start. They created what is now called "California Mission Style." Our house, like many of Father Lasuén's Missions; has a red tile roof that Mr. Mike sometimes works on.

"CONVENTO " BUILDING ( ON MARBLE)

ARTWORK BY STELLA CÓRDOVA

Our boss and Mr. Ralph one time talked about Father Lasuén. The arches on the front of San Fernando Mission's long "Convento" building is an example of how the buildings he had built were way more "Eye-Pleasing" as they say. A Train just whistled over there to my left.

Yesterday, when I learned about that game called "Jai Jalai;" I wrote a little bit about the "Basque" people. They mainly live in the mountains between Spain and France. Father Lasuen had a few different influences Mr. Steve says, and some of it was because he was Basque.

Basques even have their own language. Sometimes, when people come to our house; they notice our red tile roof. Mr. Steve tells them those type of roofs keep the house cooler during the hot Summer; but in the cold Winter it stays colder. So you have bad with good as usual.

"CÓRDOVA" FOUNTAIN PARENTS /GRANDMA CÓRDOVA

PAINTING BY STELLA CÓRDOVA PHOTO BY STEVE CÓRDOVA

Father Lasuén was influenced by what they call "Mudéjar" design, like the shape of the "Córdova" fountain at the San Fernando Mission for example. My Encyclopedia says Mudéjar is the art made by Muslims who stayed in Spain after that "Reconquista." Dawn's barking.

Daisy says down in Sylmar at our boss's parent's house, above the couch in their living room; is a big painting his mom did of the Córdova fountain. I guess, Mudéjar can also be art by Christian Artists in "Post Reconquista" Spain. I can smell Blinky standing next to Dawn.

One time Daisy heard Mr. Dave tell our boss he used to have a Motorcycle Shop customer who was a "Chumash" Indian from the Santa Barbara Mission area. The Spanish called them "Barbareños." That guy knew a lot about the Alta California Missions and Father Lasuén.

S.F. MISSION BEDROOM ("MUDÉJAR")

PHOTO BY STEVE CÓRDOVA

Daisy heard Mr. Steve and his mom one time talking about how, whenever they did a tour of the San Fernando Mission; they would point out the shape of some of the different windows or doorways. They were cut out in the Mudéjar style of Spain. Andy's looking at me over here.

Mr. Dave knows about an Indian girl named "Juana Maria," who lived at Santa Barbara Mission in the final years of her life. She was what the Spanish called "Nicoleño," the last of her tribe from "Santa Nicolas" island. A small group of what look like Sparrows is flying bye.

I guess, in 1814 some Russian Fur Traders invaded Santa Nicolas island and killed most of the three hundred members of Juana Maria's tribe. They stole anything of value and took all of the surviving girls except Juana Maria. She probably hid and they didn't find her I guess.

JUANA MARIA (?-1853)

Mr. Dave saw a tv show about that girl Miss Juana which said she and four men survived the slaughter of their tribe. They lived out there but, then in 1835; some of the Mission Priests sent what they thought of as a "Rescue Party." Samson and Delilah are flying bye right now.

Daisy heard, as the Boat started to go back to the mainland from Santa Nicolas island; I guess Juan Maria dove back into the water and said she had forgotten her baby. This storm was starting so the Spanish Sailors decided to just leave her behind. I smell the baby Cholla.

Mr. Ralph knows about the Juana Maria story and thinks it's kind of funny how the Boat sent to rescue her and the other men was named "Peor de Nada." According to my Spanish Dictionary that means "Better than Nothing." Boy! What a bad name for a wooden Boat.

"CHANNEL" ISLANDS

Daisy says the legend is that Juan Maria was too late to save her baby, which got eaten by some wild Dogs I guess. Wow! That would be such a terrible a thing to have happen I think. So Juana Maria lived all alone way out there on Santa Nicolas island for about twenty years.

That girl Miss Juana must've been smart to have survived alone for that long Dais thinks. Mr. Dave said she even made a good house out of Whale bones, and wore clothes some made out of all Bird feathers. Boy! Those are things that prove she had to have been smart alright.

After eighteen years Juana Maria finally went back to the mainland with another Spanish Ship sent by Priests; sent by some other Padres in Santa Barbara. She was about fifty years old by then. Juana Maria lived at the Santa Barbara Mission and I guess is buried there.

ANDY AND HELEN

Oh! I just glanced up and see Andy and Helen over there on their favorite boulder. But even though they're both taking a break from guarding the new babies down there in the hole, I know they're still very alert. If Cher or Goliath show up they can get back there really fast.

Mr. Dave read that girl Miss Juana became Catholic, and is even buried at the cemetery in Santa Barbara. I mentioned before how Indians who converted to Christianity back in those days were called "Neophyte.s" Daisy says we're most likely also considered neophytes too.

I guess, because Juana Maria's language was not "Tongan" and was unique, at first no one could communicate with her. That's what Mr. Dave read. Andy and Helen's break is over so they ran back to their burrow, Helen going down in there and Andy stayed near the entrance.

"STEARNS WHARF" SANTA BARBARA "MIRAMAR" HOTEL

PHOTO BY CHRIS BELL

Mr. Steve and his mom always liked going to Santa Barbara. At the Mission "Gift Shop," named for Father Serra; was run for years by two nice "Sister in Law" ladies. One time Mr. Steve and his mom remembered going to the pier and staying at the "Miramar" Hotel.

From what Dais heard, Mr. Dave read this old early 19th century book called "Last of the Mohicans." It's about an Indian man back east who, like Miss Juana; was the last person alive in his tribe. From way down here on the Patio what looks like Pigeons are now flying bye.

Daisy says one time our boss and Mr. Dave talked about an Indian named "Ishi," who was the last person left in his tribe. My Encyclopedia says Ishi was from Northern California and, in 1911; suddenly showed up near the town of "Oroville." Benjamin the Cow Bird ran bye.

"ISHI" (c.1861-1916)

THE LAST OF HIS "YAHI" TRIBE

It says here, just like that girl Miss Juana; some of Ishi's group were killed. He was able to hide and stay away from civilization for a long time but then, when he was about fifty years old; he must've decided it was way too hard to survive. That's what Daisy thinks and I agree.

Ishi's name means "Man" in his "Yana" language. Mr. Dave read that Yana was the main or "parent" group for Ishi's "Yahi" band. I guess, some "Anthropologists" took Ishi to live in San Francisco and Daisy heard they even got him a good job being one of those Janitors.

Daisy heard that a few different films, and even some books too; have been made about Mr. Ishi's life. Max the Hummingbird just zoomed bye in front of the Sheds and I heard him coming from all the way over there near Libby's Corral. Boy! I feel so good sitting here on this Patio.

BOBBY CHACON

Daisy one time heard our boss and Mr. Ralph talking about Mr. Bobby, and how he was a "World" Champion twice; first in the 1970's and later in the 1980's. At the time of the first one he was a "Featherweight." In the second Championship he was at a higher Weight Division.

I guess Dais heard Mr. Ralph say for a few years Mr. Bobby and his wife Valerie, and their kids; lived at a Ranch in Oroville where that guy Ishi first came out of hiding. Mr. Bobby bought it partly because Valerie didn't like living in Los Angeles any more. I smell Andy over there.

Boy! It's too bad Mr. Bobby's wife Valerie killed herself. Dais says she wanted him to quit Boxing because, having lost foot speed; he was starting to get hit way too much for her. "He did take a lot of punishment in the last years of his career" Mr. Gary the Barber said one time.

Mr. Steve told Mr. Bobby his sister Susan was hired to be a "Set Decorator" for this movie called "Kickboxer." So she used a lot of Mr. Steve's Boxing pictures to put on a wall of what was supposed to be a Boxing Trainer's office. A Finch just ran bye holding a twig in its mouth.

MARK TWAIN (1835-1910)

I just thought of that guy Mark Twain, whose real name was actually Samuel Langhorne Clemons. He's associated with the "Mississippi River," where he was born and wrote about. But he later lived with his wife and kids in Connecticut, like my boss's sister and her two sons.

It says here Mark Twain and his brother named "Orion" grew up back there in the State of "Missouri," but came out here and for a time lived in "Virginia City," Nevada. Mr. Steve one time visited Virginia City. Benjamin the black Cow Bird just ran bye in front of the Sheds.

Daisy heard Mr. Steve tell his mom how, when he was in Virginia City; he visited this Gift Shop above Mark Twain's original office. It says here ran a Newspaper called the "Territorial Enterprise." A really smart lady at the Gift Shop told my boss a lot of interesting things.

"MISSISSIPPI RIVER "PADDLE WHEEL" STEAMBOAT

The lady at the Gift Shop said most people think Mark Twain got his "Pen Name" from being a Mississippi Riverboat Pilot. "Mark Twain" means the river is "two fathoms" deep. But it could mean buying two alcoholic drinks at once but putting them on credit she said.

Mr. Steve has been to "Sacramento," near where that gold was discovered back in 1848. Mark Twain tried to find gold near there, but in 1864 lived in "Calaveras County;" to the east of San Francisco. The lady told him it was there where Mark Twain really became a Writer.

I guess, Mark Twain was known for his "Deadpan" delivery. His first story was about a jumping Frog contest, a contest still held every year the lady said. She and my boss also talked about this guy named Theodore Judah, who was a "Surveyor" back in the 19th century.

THEODORE JUDAH (1826-1863)

My Encyclopedia says Theodore Judah figured out the best route for a Railroad across the "Sierra Nevada" mountains in Northern California. Daisy says he hiked around and did the hard work finding a way through the mountains. George Washington was a Surveyor too.

Hey God! Mr. Steve thinks it's sad how Theodore Judah did all of that work hiking in the mountains, then died before he could make money. I notice how he died in 1863, which was the third year of the American Civil War. I smell the baby Cholla cactus over there in the dirt.

In 1869, four years after the Civil War ended; that Railroad which connected east and west coasts was completed. The three companies who did it were the "Western Pacific" railroad, the "Central Pacific;" and the "Union Pacific" coming from the east coast. Dawn's barking.

"TRANSCONTINENTAL" RAILROAD

CHINESE WORKERS "PROMONTORY," UTAH / MAY 10, 1869

PHOTO BY ANDREW J. RUSSELL

Daisy saw this good tv show about the building of the "Transcontinental" railroad, which said Chinese "Laborers" built it going eastward; while it was poor Irish immigrants who built it coming toward us out here on the west coast. Some of them were killed in doing it I guess.

It says here the two groups met on May the 10th of 1869, in what was then the "Territory" of Utah. The caption below this picture of that famous event says how they had completed about nineteen hundred miles from east to west. I smell Blinky standing next to Dawn over there.

Pigpen the Gopher stuck his head out of the hole near the Mulberry tree, but then went back down when he smelled me over here sitting on the Patio. That reminds of "Pigpen," who was in that band the GRATEFUL DEAD. I can still smell the scent Pigpen left behind.

GRATEFUL DEAD

I wrote yesterday about the late 1970's GRATEFUL DEAD concert Mr. Steve saw on the U.C.S.B. Football field. Daisy heard our boss tell Mr. Doug in 1978 it was a really hot day but he and that girl Monica didn't mind walking around the campus. I can still smell Pigpen.

Daisy says our boss told Mr. Doug, who knows and has surfed in that area; it was a clear day so you could see those "Channel" islands offshore. This guy named Elvin Bishop "opened" up the GRATEFUL DEAD concert in Santa Barbara. Fred, Ed and Ted flew bye right now.

A "Reggae" band played at that GRATEFUL DEAD concert, and a piano player named Warren Zevon was booed. Our boss and Monica felt bad for him but he "seemed drunk, called the audience names; then stormed off" Mr. Steve said. He had a song about a Werewolf.

WARREN ZEVON (1947-2003)

Warren Zevon was from Los Angeles, and his song was called "Werewolves in London." I really want to hear it someday because Daisy says it has good howling singing and piano playing in it. Mr. Steve doesn't remember Warren Zevon playing it on that day back in 1978.

I've mentioned before how our boss is interested in the subject of "Werewolves," and likes the 1930's movies about them; which he was told Warren Zevon's song is based on. He was also told John McVie and Mick Fleetwood played on Werewolves in London. Heathcliff crowed.

Mr. Steve heard Warren Zevon, who wrote a song which mentioned Mr. Bobby; died young from lung cancer. Miss Monica noticed he smoked a lot. A "Cantonese" Chinese restaurant in London is mentioned in his song. "Ying's" in Sylmar also made Cantonese Chinese food too.

"AMERICAN WEREWOLF IN LONDON"

Daisy and Millie saw a scary movie made a few years after Warren Zevon's song called an "American Werewolf in London." Daisy thinks there must be a lot of Werewolves over there in England, especially in the city of London. Boy! I'd sure hate to be bitten by a Werewolf.

In the movie two American's ignore warnings to go outside at night, and even walk around in a field. They're attacked by a Werewolf who kills one of them and hurts the other guy. Dais says he survived but it turns out from then on he had to sometimes become a Werewolf too.

The scene of the man turning into a Wolf, when the Moon is full; is so scary from what Dais told me. When he changes form his bones and everything crack and make sounds as he becomes a Wolf. Daisy told me how it looks really painful to change from one form into another one.

LON CHANEY JR. (1906-1973)

Daisy says one of our boss's customers also likes "Horror" movies from the 1930's too. I guess his favorite is called the "Wolf Man," and a picture in this Encyclopedia shows the Actor who would turn into the Wolf. The caption below says how his name was Lon Chaney Jr.

Boy! You can really tell by these pictures next to each other how you totally change if you turn into a Wolf. Daisy saw a tv show that said Lon Chaney's father was also an Actor too, and is famous for one of those "Silent" movies called "Phantom of the Opera." Heathcliff crowed.

I've talked before about that movie Daisy saw where the hunchback lives in the big giant French Cathedral, and I guess it was Lon Chaney Sr. who played "The Hunchback of Notre Dame" in that silent movie version. I want to see the hunchback movies. I smell some Sage.

LON CHANEY SR. (1883-1930)

In seeing these pictures in this Encyclopedia I can see why Lon Chaney Sr. was called the "Man of a Thousand Faces." He was good at "applying" his own makeup for those movies. I've mentioned before how Mr. Steve's Niece Stephanie is trained in putting makeup on people.

Oh! This is interesting how it says here Lon Chaney Sr. "would have played" the part of "Dracula" instead of that guy Bela Lugosi, if he hadn't died at the age of only forty seven. His son, in the 1930's; played monsters when movies had sound. I can smell some Penstemon.

Lon Chaney Jr., just like Boris Karloff; played a mummy and in some of the Frankenstein movies too. Mr. Steve told Mr. Doug it must've been hard for him to have to live "in the shadow" or follow "in the footsteps" of such a famous father. A Train just whistled faintly to my left.

HANK WILLIAMS SR. / SON HANK WILLIAMS JR.

Daisy saw this good tv show about that guy Hank Williams Jr., which of course also had to mention his way more famous father. So, no matter how good you are; many people are going to naturally compare you to your dad. Andy's over there sniffing the air in guarding their hole.

Oh! I forgot to write a few more things about the GRATEFUL DEAD. Daisy heard their most loyal followers were called "Dead Heads." Mr. Steve remembers the day a few years ago when he heard about the GRATEFUL DEAD'S Guitarist, Jerry Garcia "Passing Away."

Our boss told Mr. Ralph one time how he thinks the GRATEFUL DEAD are "talented" Musicians, and likes how the "jam and improvise" during their concerts; but after about three hours he and that girl Monica wanted to go home. So they did. Daffy's quacking over there.

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CALIFORNIA "HELLS ANGELS"

From what Daisy heard, at the 1978 U.C.S.B. GRATEFUL DEAD concert on the Football field; Mr. Steve noticed the "Hell's Angels" red "Chopper" Motorcycle on the stage. During the day the Sun shone off of its chrome. Mr. Steve has a miniature Chopper model in the house.

Daisy says when young some people said Mr. Steve looked like Jerry Garcia. That was a time when both wore "Muttonchop" sideburns like that Civil War General Ambrose Burnside. He joked with Mr. Rick how he's starting to look like Jerry Garcia when he "gained weight."

I mentioned yesterday how back in the 1970's some bands, like the GRATEFUL DEAD and DOOBIE BROTHERS; used two Drummers. On that same Football field Mr. Steve also saw the ALLMAN BROTHERS, who had two Drummers. Blackbeard and Anne Bonny flew bye.

LITTLE FEET

During the Summer of 1978 Mr. Steve and his friends saw a few different concerts up in Santa Barbara. Our boss drove his first Chevelle to all of them Daisy heard, and he and Sandy saw a really good show by a band from Los Angeles called LITTLE FEAT. Dawn's barking.

LITTLE FEAT'S main Guitarist had been in Frank Zappa's band, but was kicked out for writing a song about drugs; which Frank Zappa was totally against. Our boss told Mr. Dave how LITTLE FEAT played a kind of "Jazz Fusion" and "Country Rock." I can smell Blinky.

Mr. Steve was told Jimmy Page of LED ZEPPELIN, and Eddie Van Halen; liked LITTLE FEAT. Their song "Oh Atlanta" reminded him of that 1971 trip to Atlanta, especially when he heard "Peach Street" mentioned. Mr. Steve has a vinyl record with that song on it Dais says.

GRATEFUL DEAD

Years later our boss was told many of the people at that GRATEFUL DEAD concert in 1978 had taken that drug called "L.S.D." Dais heard it slang name is "Acid," it's a really strong drug; and sometimes bad things happen if you take it. Andy's over there guarding their hole.

Mr. Steve and that girl Monica left that GRATEFUL DEAD concert before it was over. Our boss thinks one reason is because they were probably the only ones not on Acid. But he was able to leave the Parking Lot easier, and he and Monica had a nice talk on the way home.

For some reason I just thought about those wooden "Piers" Mr. Steve likes. One of them is up there in Santa Barbara, where that GRATEFUL DEAD concert was held. Instead of a long bridge over a River, a Pier is a bridge sticking out into water Dais says. Heathcliff crowed.

"MIRAMAR" HOTEL SANTA BARBARA "STEARNS WHARF"

PHOTO BY CHRIS BELL

One time our boss and his father remembered some of the Sant Barbara vacations their family went on back in the late 1960's and early 1970's. Mr. Steve enjoyed times he's walked on Piers, and a while back had a dream about the one in Santa Barbara. I smell Creosote.

Daisy says our boss once bought and sold some things from a lady who grew up in the Santa Barbara area. She told him how "Stearn's Wharf was first built way back in 1872, about five years before a Railroad came out to Santa Barbara. It was used for "Cargo" Ships.

The lady said the Santa Barbara Pier has been damaged a few times by storm, fires and even an earthquake in 1925. Dais heard that one of those long walls out in the Ocean, like the one in Israel at "Caesarea;" protects Santa Barbara's beaches. Bonnie and Clyde flew bye.

JANE AUSTEN (1775-1817)

ARTWORK BY CASSANDRA AUSTEN

Hey God! As You know already, someday Daisy and I would love to smell a beach near an Ocean. I've mentioned before how our boss really enjoys the "Atmosphere" of being a beach, especially walking on a Pier. He likes all of the different sights, sounds and smells there.

Daisy noticed one time on a tv show about that girl Jane Austen how it said back then, if a person in England got sick the Doctor's told them to go visit a beach. They said the "Sea Air" was very good for breathing in I guess. Ah! The air around here is so clear right now too.

Kind of near the U.C.S.B. campus, where Mr. Steve's sister Susan went to College; is a Pier called "Goleta." One time, Mr. Steve went there to fish with a guy named "Chris;" who said an "Artificial Reef" attracted many different types of Fish. Samson and Delilah are flying bye.

"GIDGET"

The city of "Ventura" is south of Santa Barbara, and Dais heard our boss has been to the Piers there. And, I guess further south are the "Malibu" and "Paradise Cove" Piers; which he's also walked on too. They made the surfing movies about the girl named "Gidget" near there.

Daisy told me there was also a tv show about that girl Gidget, and the Actress who played her later played the part of a Nun with a special hat that allowed her to fly around. Someday I want to see some of the good tv shows Daisy's seen. Blackbeard and Anne Bonny flew bye.

One time Mr. Steve and Miss Susan from work talked about the tv show called the "Brady Bunch." Mr. Steve has seen the guy who played the oldest brother in Santa Barbara, one time out on the Pier. I can now smell the new baby Cholla cactus growing over there in the dirt.

"SANTA MONICA" PIER ROLLING STONES

Mr. Steve's mom used to drive Mr. Steve, his brothers, sisters and friends; down to Santa Monica Beach. On the Radio he first heard the ROLLING STONES song "Jumping Jack on the Pier. Flash" while walking on the Pier there. His brother Rock used to fish off of that Pier.

I guess the famous Highway "Route 66," which went by us near "Victorville;" ended near Santa Monica Pier. This man once told our boss Monica Pier is the only West Coast Pier with an "Amusement Park" on it. Frida and Diego used now flew over Libby's Corral over there.

Daisy says our boss has been to Piers in "Venice" and "Manhattan Beach," but not to the one in "Hermosa Beach." He told Mr. Doug, who's surfed near there, at Manhattan Beach Pier you can pet a cute little "Leopard Shark. Speedy Gonzalez ran bye in front of the Sheds.

"LEOPARD" SHARK

Mr. Steve and Mr. Doug talked about how Leopard Sharks are small and live all along the "West Coast" from Mexico up to Oregon. Mark Ritter said in Australia they're called "Zebra" Sharks. They at times live in groups, sometimes even mixed in with other types of Sharks.

There are Piers at "Cabrillo Beach," and "Huntington Beach;" where Mr. Doug drove a "Duffy" Boat in the Harbor. You can at times see Catalina Island from Huntington Beach from what Mr. Doug and our boss talked about Daisy says. Cher the Cat just now jogged bye.

Both our boss and Mr. Doug have been to "Crystal" Pier down in San Diego. I guess it was built back in 1930, which was at the beginning of the "Great Depression." Bravo Company and their babies are using the right vertical slot on the side of the gate to go out into the desert.

"CRYSTAL" PIER (SAN DIEGO)

Mr. Steve's parents once met a couple their age who told them about the little houses built on Crystal Pier above the Pacific Ocean. Mr. Steve noticed them too, and thought it was such a good idea to have built houses like that. Boy! I'll bet those people make a lot of money.

When he and his mom had the Art Exhibit at San Juan Capistrano Mission our boss drove to this Pier in "San Clemente." Daisy says he and Mr. Doug talked about how San Clemente is a really beautiful coastal town. San Clemente is just Spanish for "Saint Clement" I guess.

This girl once told Mr. Steve San Clemente is called the "Spanish Village by the Sea," and there's a good "Surfing" Museum and "Cultural Center" called "Casa Romantica" there. That means "Romantic House" according to my Spanish Dictionary. Libby whinnied over there.

"HUNTINGTON" LIBRARY "DESCANSO" GARDENS

Daisy says that girl told our boss Casa Romantica has a garden, and artwork of inside the building. Mr. Steve told her about he and his mom's visits to the "Huntington" Library, and the "Descanso" Gardens; and gave her some pictures he's taken there. I smell Andy over there.

Mr. Steve, and that girl Nancy who I've mentioned before; one time saw a good 4th of July Fireworks show at the "Redondo Beach" Pier. Daisy heard our boss one time tell Miss Susan at work about the Fireworks show. She said she visited Redondo Beach with her parents once.

When he hears of the town of San Clemente Daisy heard, Mr. Steve cannot help but think about a Baseball Player named Roberto Clemente. He was from "Puerto Rico." and played for the Pittsburgh "Pirates." I've mentioned a few times how that's Mr. Rick's favorite team.

MR. RICK ROBERTO CLEMENTE (1934-1972)

"Puerto Rico" just means "Rich Port." Because Mr. Rick's family are originally from the city of "Pittsburgh," Mr. Rick likes their sports teams so he and our boss have seen, or watched on tv; some of the Pirates' Baseball games. So, they got to see Roberto Clemente play a lot.

Daisy and Millie heard our boss talking to Mr. Rick as they thought about how lucky they are to have seen Roberto Clemente play. A tv show Dais saw said he died at the age of only thirty eight. But he's in the "Hall of Fame," and got 3,000 hits; which is really hard to do I guess.

In Mr. Steve's "Subjective" opinion, Roberto Clemente was the best Player he saw play in person. And he and his brother Rock, and Mr. Rick too; saw Willie Mays and other really good Players. But, they now realize at the time they took seeing Roberto Clemente "for granted."

ROBERTO CLEMENTE (3000TH HIT / 1972)

PHOTO BY JERRY SISKIND

Hey God! Was it You who made it so that guy Roberto Clemente got his 3000th hit on the last day of the season? Daisy thinks You might have. He then died during the "Off Season" in a Plane crash, trying to take supplies to earthquake victims in the country of "Nicaragua."

Mr. Steve thinks so many good Baseball Players have "come out of" Puerto Rico mainly because of poverty. He, his brother Rock and their friends; saw many of the good Puerto Rican Players but think Roberto Clemente was the best. I just picked up the scent of Creosote.

Dais heard, in judging how good a Baseball Player is you go by five "Categories;" Running Speed, Fielding, Arm Strength, Hitting for Average, Hitting for Power. It's called being a "Five Tool Tool" Player. Mr. Steve thinks Roberto Clemente was that. Two Pigeons flew bye.

HANK AARON MICKEY MANTLE WILLIE MAYS

Our boss and Mr. Rick think, except in hitting power; Roberto Clemente was better than Hank Aaron, Mickey Mantle or Willie Mays. And, even in hitting power; they think "at times" it could be argued Roberto Clemente was their equal. Now the other two Pigeons flew bye.

Daisy heard, if you're an Athlete in a big city like Los Angeles or New York; you get way more attention. But if you play in "lesser markets" like Pittsburgh or Oakland, not only do you not get as much "publicity;" you're usually paid less too. They're called "Small Markets."

I guess in 1972 Roberto Clemente filled a Plane with supplies to take to Nicaragua, but they crashed in the ocean and no one ever found that Plane; or any of the bodies either Daisy says. Mr. Steve read Roberto Clemente's wife said he told her he was going to die young. WITH SONS ROBERTO CLEMENTE WITH FAMILY

Mr. Steve says Roberto Clemente's wife said that he told her, "God will tell you how long you're supposed to be here." A tv show Daisy and Millie saw said Roberto Clemente first played in the Major Leagues in 1955, the same year Mr. Steve was born. I smell Libby over there.

Roberto Clemente finished his eighteen year long career with a "Batting Average" of .317. For twelve seasons in a row he earned "Gold Gloves" for fielding. Mr. Steve says seeing him make "Practice" throws before a game was alone worth the "Price of Admission" as they say.

Our boss told his brother Sam seeing Roberto Clemente make routine "warm up" throws before a game was amazing. A Writer said he had a "canon-like" strong arm. Very few runners ever tried to "run on" on "challenge" his unbelievably accurate throwing arm Mr. Steve says.

ROBERTO CLEMENTE (1960'S)

Dais says our boss met a Puerto Rican lady from New York City, who said she "wasn't a sports fan;" but remembers her father's admiration of Roberto Clemente's "style and beauty." Fred, Ed and Ted are flying over Libby's Corral and are now flying over the back desert.

Mr. Steve saw Roberto Clemente catch a ball going away from the infield, wheel around; and "pirouetted and spun" before throwing out the Runner who couldn't believe what had just happened to him. Then Roberto Clemente just casually and calmly jogged off of the field.

Using what they call a "Fungo" bat, Mr. Steve still enjoys hitting grounders or fly balls to kids in getting ready for their Baseball game. Daisy says a Fungo bat is skinnier than the bat you use during the actual game itself. Our boss has a few different bats in his office she told me.

1969 ROBERTO CLEMENTE 1972

As kids Mr. Steve and his brother Rock collected those "Baseball Cards" I've mentioned before. Daisy heard our boss and his brother Sam talking about it one time. Mr. Steve told him how Roberto Clemente really didn't like it when people would call him the nickname "Bob."

Dais says Mr. Rick one time described Roberto Clemente waiting for the pitch as looking like a "coiled spring about to explode." I guess, back in 1969 our boss really wanted his Baseball card but couldn't get it, no matter how many packs of gum he bought. Heathcliff crowed.

In 1969 Mr. Steve was fourteen years old, in his final year at St. Ferdinands; Mr. Rick in 10th Grade at Alemany High. In games at Dodger Stadium Mr. Steve says he "envied" the "Ball Boy" who got to "Play Catch" with Roberto Clemente between innings. I smell Juniper.

MR. STEVE'S MOM

According to what Daisy heard our boss and Mr. Rick remembering, in 1969 it was really frustrating to keep on buying packs of Baseball cards without getting Roberto Clemente. And it was worse getting the same ones over and over. They had many what are called "Duplicates."

Mr. Steve's mom, in knowing just how frustrated Mr. Steve was about Roberto Clemente's Baseball card; secretly went to this neighborhood kid named "Robert." She found out, to said later to her "utter amazement;" he did have Roberto Clemente's card. She was so happy.

When Mr. Steve was out, his mom got his Baseball cards. She went to Robert, who didn't care about Roberto Clemente; so was happy to trade that single card for fifteen duplicates. At dinner that afternoon Mr. Steve says he was "astonished" when she surprised him with it. JACKIE ROBINSON (1919-1972)

I wrote before how that guy from "Pasadena" Jackie Robinson broke the racial "Color Barrier" in 1947, two years after World War II. That's when the "Brooklyn" Dodgers, and that man Branch Rickey; signed him to play for them. Two of the Pigeons are flew over the Sheds.

Daisy heard Roberto Clemente was one of the first "Latin" black Players, so also had to overcome not speaking English. The tv show said he, a "Hall of Fame" Player; was at first in the Dodgers "Minor League" organization. Now the other two Pigeons are flying bye too.

Roberto Clemente played for the Montreal "Royals" just like Jackie Robinson did before going up to the Dodgers. But, I guess the Dodgers "didn't think enough of him" so; the Pirates came in and signed him Mr. Steve thinks. Wow! That means the Dodgers could've had him.

ROBERTO CLEMENTE (U.S. MARINE RESERVES / 1958-1964)

Puerto Rico was one of the areas taken from Spain in the "Spanish American" war, and since then has been a U.S. "Territory;" the way New Mexico was up until 1912. Dais heard our and his father talk about Roberto Clemente being in the Marine "Reserves." I smell Sage.

Before the economic recession Mr. Steve had a customer in North Carolina, near a Marine base called "Camp LeJeune." He and the Parts Manager talked about it being where Marines go through "Basic Training." Mr. Steve's dad did his at "Camp Pendleton" near San Diego.

I guess, Roberto Clemente did "Boot Camp" at Camp LeJeune. A tv show Dais saw said the Pirates getting him was the "second biggest" bad decision any team ever made. The worst was when the Boston "Red Sox" sold that guy Babe Ruth to the Yankees for only $100,000.

GEORGE HERMAN "BABE" RUTH (1895-1948)

I've mentioned that guy "Babe" Ruth a few times in these first two books, and know he's on my book three outline too. In the 1920's, when many fans didn't like Baseball because of that big 1919 "Black Sox" scandal; his "Home Runs" brought them back. Heathcliff crowed.

As a Pitcher and Hitter, the Red Sox won four American League "Pennants" with Babe Ruth; his 1920's Yankees then became one of the greatest teams "Of all Time." Dais told me how "GOAT" stands for "Greatest Of All Time." I can smell the baby Cholla cactus over there.

Yesterday I wrote about the Chicago "Cubs," and mentioned that "Curse of the Bambino" when the Red Sox didn't win anything from 1918 through 2004. After selling Babe Ruth they had fourteen "Losing Seasons" right in a row. "Bambino" just means "baby" in Italian.

THE BEATLES

I've mentioned a few times already in these first two books how Mr. Steve thinks Babe Ruth, like the 1960's BEATLES; now symbolizes the 1920's "Zeitgeist" or "Spirit of the Times." A small flock of Birds way up there in the high afternoon sky is moving towards the north.

During Babe Ruth's "Heyday," World War I had ended, the world was coming out of the "Spanish" flu pandemic; and the American economy was "Roaring" as they say. So, Mr. Steve thinks; people were way more "optimistic" after many "darker" years. Heathcliff crowed.

Ah! I don't know why but, for some reason a cooler breeze that came in off of the desert makes me think of the tv show Daisy saw about "Antarctica." Oh what the heck! Even though I'm not scheduled to learn about Antarctica until tomorrow, I feel like doing it now too.

"ANTARCTICA"

Daisy told me, even though she has thick fur which gets thicker during the coldest days of Winter; it would not be good to have to live down there in Antarctica. It's at the very bottom of the Earth and is one of those "Continents" I've mentioned before. It's really, really cold!

This Encyclopedia describes Antarctica as being, "the southernmost and least populated of all the continents," of which it is the "fifth largest." Wow! It says here it's a "polar desert," and is the "coldest, driest and windiest" Continent on the Earth. Heathcliff's Hens are clucking.

The "South Pole" is located down in Antarctica. Wow! I notice on the map how it's totally surrounded by the bottoms of Africa, South America and Australia, and the "Atlantic," "Indian" and "Pacific" Oceans. But that freezing cold water is mainly called the "Southern" Ocean.

"KING" PENGUINS ("ANTARCTICA)

Wow! A picture shows thousands of those "Penguin" Birds. The caption says in Summer they go to Antarctica to have babies. Mr. Steve's mom and Nieces Stephanie, at one of those big Movie Theaters; saw a movie about Penguins. I'd like to smell a Movie Theater someday.

That one tv show said how Antarctica "holds the record" for the world's coldest "recorded measured temperature." The Penguins in Antarctica are called "King" Penguins because they're big in size. Dais says it's amazing how they don't fly in the air but seem to fly underwater.

The man on the tv show mentioned what it also says here in this one Encyclopedia too, how "seventy percent" of the Earth's "fresh" water is in Antarctica. I guess since "classic antiquity," like Aristotle for example; Greeks and Romans have mentioned something like Antarctica.

"ELEPHANT" SEAL ("ANTARCTICA")

PHOTO BY GRANT DIXON

Oh wow! I can tell by pictures in my Encyclopedia what Daisy told me is true. Another thing that "Migrates" down to Antarctica in Summer are "Elephant" Seals, which Daisy says are so huge. Actually, it's mainly all of the male "Bulls" who grow to be so gigantic I guess.

Boy! It says here boy Elephant Seals can grow to be over sixteen feet long, and weigh "up to" nine thousand pounds. Daisy told me fights we see, when boys compete for girls; is nothing compared to the bloody matches boy Elephant Seals have. They have some big sharp teeth.

When boy Elephant Seals fight they slam their huge heads hard into each other, and try to bite each other right on the throat or neck. Daisy told me how unbelievable it is and you better not be near them because their giant size alone could accidentally crush you. A Crow cawed.

GEOFFREY CHAUCER (c. 1343-1400)

It says here how, in the 14th century that British Writer "Chaucer" wrote in one of those "Treatise's" about this place that sounds like Antarctica. Oh! The name Antarctica comes from Latin, and would generally be interpreted to mean, "Opposite of North." A Lizard ran bye.

I guess, Antarctica people first went to Antarctica in the early 19th century, but it wasn't until one hundred years later when people began to "map and explore" it. In 1907 a British man named Ernest Shackleford led what was called the "Nimrod" expedition. Dawn's barking.

In the Old Testament's "Book of Genesis" Nimrod was a Mesopotamian King who was that guy "Noah's" Great Grandson. Oh wow! It was King Nimrod who tried to build that "Tower of Babel" I mentioned yesterday in my first book. I smell Blinky and Rosie next to Dawn.

ERNEST SHACKLETON (1888-1957)

It says here the Nimrod expedition was a "series of explorations" of Antarctica, and Daisy noticed they used the word "perilous" to describe them. That means extra dangerous where you could even die Daisy told me. And some of the men almost did die because of the cold I guess.

Wow! That guy Ernest Shackleton and his men, back in 1915; had their Ship get "trapped" in the freezing cold Antarctica ice. The ice ended up crushing the Ship into pieces Dais said, so the men had to "salvage" as much equipment as they could from the Ship. A Train whistled.

Dais says Mr. Steve, who lived in Sylmar with his wife Joan and their kids Dawn and Todd; studied the history of North and South Pole exploration. Mr. Steve was like Mr. Mike in being a really good Handyman. Our Mr. Steve got up and spoke at his San Fernando Mission funeral.

WORD WAR I

(AUGUST, 1914 / OCTOBER, 1918)

In 1915, when that guy Ernest Shackleton's Ship got trapped in the Antarctic ice; World War I was in its second year. My Encyclopedia says he and his men got "rescued" months later but not before having to "endure hardship and discomfort." Ugh! I'm so glad it's Spring.

Ernest Shackleton's Ship, which was "engulfed" by the "unrelenting" ice; was named the "Endurance." Sometimes Daisy and I wonder what it's like to sail on a Boat out on the Lake or an Ocean. But then I think about what I'd do if something went wrong and the Boat sank?

Boy God! Reading about what happened to those guys back in 1915 is making me recall some of those really cold nights out here this Winter. Thank You so much for supplying me with Elvira and the three blankets Mr. Chris go form me. Frida and Diego are flying to the east.

"NIMROD" EXPEDITION

(SHIP "ENDURANCE" / 1915)

PHOTO BY HULTON ARCHIVES

A good black and white picture shows the Ship that got stuck down there in the ice, and the caption says what the tv show said. To this day the Endurance has never been found, and "may never be" Mr. Steve thinks. But maybe "some new technology" will allow it he told his dad.

Dais remembered what it says here in this Encyclopedia too. In those Nimrod explorations Ernest Shackleton's men were the first persons to get to the "south magnetic pole," and also the "south geographic pole" in 1911 as well. A flock of Birds is flying toward the northeast.

Another person who explored Antarctica was an American "Naval Officer" named Richard E. Byrd. He's described here as also being a "pioneer aviator." His expeditions took place in the 1920's, 1930's and 1940's, and there were four of them I guess. A little Lizard just ran bye.

RICHARD E. BYRD (1888-1957)

Ooh! A picture shows that guy Richard Byrd, and the caption says how it was taken on the deck of a Ship during one of his expeditions. He looks so cold even though you can really tell he's wearing extra thick and warm clothes. I'd want clothes like that too if I lived in Antarctica.

Mr. Steve and his father one time talked about seeing that guy Audie Murphy's grave when they visited Washington D.C.'s "Arlington" National cemetery in 2008. Our boss told his dad he read Richard Byrd, who won a "Medal of Honor;" is buried there too. The air is so clear!

Hey God! Me having short hair, I don't think I'd like living in Antarctica. It gets pretty cold enough down here in Piñon Hills and that's why I look forward to the day when I sleep with Dais in the house on those nights. Ugh! I'm glad I have you Elvira, and all you good blankets too.

HENRY FORD (1863-1947)

Dais heard our boss tell his father he read Henry Ford, and his son "Edsel;" were friends of Richard Byrd. They even supported him with money by sponsoring some of his four exploring expeditions I guess. Thank You God for making this such another warm day to work on.

Wow! It says here in 1921 Richard Byrd "missed a Train" which saved his life. Had he made that trip he would've then been on one of those "Dirigible" type "Blimps," which crashed and killed almost everyone "on board." Another name for a blimp is an "Airship" I guess.

I just picked up Libby's unique scent, and right now I notice she's walking around slowly near the back fence of her Corral; next to Primavera Road. A few minutes ago a Truck went bye but now the dust it raised has floated back down to the ground. Boy! I really like Libby.

"HINDENBURG" DISASTER

(MAY 6, 1937 / "LAKEHURST," NEW JERSEY)

Wow! A picture shows that Airship "Hindenburg" burning. Daisy and Millie saw this tv show that said someone might've "Sabotaged" the Hindenburg. But, others think it was a just bad luck when lightning hit it; "igniting" the "Helium" which allowed dirigibles to float.

Daisy says our boss used to have a customer in Louisiana who knew a lot about dirigibles. He joked he was "jealous" when told Mr. Steve's father got to ride in the "Goodyear Blimp" one time. Boy! I don't think I would want to ride around up there in a blimp just floating.

The Parts Manager also knew about that girl Janis Joplin. He had relatives from her home town of "Port Arthur" in Texas, and once said he thought Janis Joplin represents the "Zeitgeist" or "Spirit of the Times" of the 1960's. Those were the days of the "Hippies" Daisy says.

HIGH SCHOOL JANIS JOPLIN 1960'S

(1943-1970)

PHOTO BY DAVID GAHR

Someday I want to hear that girl Janice Joplin sing some songs. Daisy told me our boss thinks she was a really "talented" Singer, who had a kind of "unique soulful" voice; and was "influenced" by Blues music. Mr. Steve still has some old Janis Joplin vinyl records I guess.

Janice Joplin died young, and Dais says our boss thinks she probably "partied" way too much. One time he, Mark Ritter and some friends; went to a place called "Barney's Beanery." I guess Janis Joplin, and also Jim Morrison of the DOORS; used to go there too sometimes.

Daisy heard Mr. Dave one time describe Barney's Beanery as being like a "Truck Stop" type of restaurant. Boy! I really do think a restaurant for Dogs and Cats might be a good idea and make money. The idea of going to a place where your food is cooked for you is great!

JIM MORRISON BARNEY'S BEANERY JANIS JOPLIN

I guess, on the night she died from drugs Janice Joplin went to Barney's Beanery; and also that Nightclub called the "Troubadour." Mr. Steve has been to the Troubadour a few times from what Dais heard. He and Mr. Dave talked about the bands they've seen play there.

Daisy heard that some people jokingly called Barney's Beanery's three areas a "Greasy Spoon Roadhouse." It has some multi-colored "Booths" and "License Plates" on the walls. In my good English Dictionary it says how a booth is just a, "A small area or Enclosure."

A Barney's Beanery "Waitress" said Janis Joplin hit Jim Morrison of the DOORS over the head with a whiskey bottle. If a boy brings your food he's a "Waiter" Daisy says. If they do a good job you have to pay the Waiter or Waitress extra because they're not paid very much.

CLARK GABLE RITA HAYWORTH MARLON BRANDO

Some famous Actors, like Clark Gable, Rita Hayworth and Marlon Brando have eaten at Barney's Beanery over the years. The Waitress said that "Route 66" Road used to go right by Barney's Beanery. A field of those "Poinsettia" flowers at one time surrounded the building.

At Barney's Beanery Mr. Steve ate some chili and played "Pool," which some call "Pocket Billiards" Dais says. Even though he doesn't like the taste of "Beer;" he drank one. In Pool you use a long stick to hit a white ball, that then knocks colored and numbered balls into holes.

Playing pool at Barney's Beanery our boss got on a "Hot Streak," and I'll bet it was like me being "In a Zone" catching food in my mouth. He told Miss Susan from work how on that night he was "visualizing" well. Mr. Steve used to like playing another game called "Ping Pong."

KING "MIDAS" EDITH HAMILTON (1867-1963)

Daisy says our boss told Mr. Doug, on that night at Barney's Beanery when he was doing so good at playing Pool; Mark Ritter joked about him having the "Midas Touch." I guess that's a saying that comes from an ancient Greek story. I guess Edith Hamilton wrote about it.

My Encyclopedia says in the story King "Midas" helps the God "Dionysus's father so he grants the King a "Wish." He wishes to have everything he touches turn to gold, just like those "Alchemists" I've written about tried to do. Fred, Ed and Ted just now flew over the house.

I guess King Midas liked turning things to gold, until one time he accidentally turned his own daughter to gold. Daisy says that story's "Lesson" is, "Beware what you ask for, as you just might get it in the form of a curse." Hey! That's what Sister Rita Joseph used to say too.

"TENNIS"

Daisy told me about this one other game called "Ping Pong," which our boss used to like playing. Even though he's "Near-Sighted," he also enjoyed "Throwing Darts." But he told Mr. Doug, there are some days when he's "terrible" and loses badly at any game he's playing.

I guess Ping Pong is a "Smaller in Scale" version of outdoor "Tennis," but is played on a table rather than a "Court;" and Players hit a small plastic ball instead of a ball made of rubber and wool. In both games Players hit the ball over a net stretched across the playing area.

Mr. Steve one time told his mom he at times misses playing Tennis. He used to play with his girlfriend Sandy's sister "Suzy," and for a time took his Niece Samantha for Tennis lessons in Sylmar. Daisy says in a hall closet are things used to play sports, like Tennis "Rackets."

ARISTOTLE (384-322 B.C.)

Wow! It says here that guy Aristotle, who was Alexander the Great's Tutor; said King Midas starved to death because he kept turning his food into gold. One time our boss and Mr. Cliff talked about that King Midas story. Fred, Ed and Ted are flying over Libby's Corral.

Daisy says Mr. Cliff also told our boss about his hometown of "Gary," Indiana; which is the same city Michael Jackson's family is from. Mr. Cliff said Gary is one of those "Industrial" steel towns I've mentioned before. The atmosphere was often "gray and smoky" he said.

Mr. Cliff, who was wounded during the Vietnam War in the "Battle of Khe Sanh;" joked that Gary was not 1960's San Francisco. Daisy says she can tell, like that guy Frank Zappa; Mr. Cliff doesn't like those "Hippies" who believed in "Flower People." A Train just whistled.

"HIPPIES" (1960'S)

Daisy heard a 1960's song called "If You're Going to San Francisco," which I guess says to wear some "flowers in your hair." Our boss and Mr. Cliff talked about that band BLACK SABBATH. They're from the English city of "Birmingham" which is like Gary, Indiana.

Mr. Cliff joked that he and his family, probably like the guys in BLACK SABBATH; "did not see too many flowers" during the 1960's. Our boss told Mr. Cliff Mr. Rick's family are from "Pittsburgh; also an Industrial steel town with an "uncheerful" environment. I smell Sage.

As a teenager, I guess Mr. Cliff worked in one of those big "Steel Mills" I've mentioned a few times. BLACK SABATH'S Guitarist accidentally cut tips of his fingers off in a Steel Mill. That man Charles O. Finley, who owned the Oakland A's; also worked in a Gary Steel Mill.

STEEL "FOUNDRY"

My Dictionary says a "Foundry" is a place, often a big "Factory;" where metal is "cast." That means when the metal is so burning hot it's soft, so can then be poured into those "Molds" I've written about. Ugh! I don't think I would like working in a place like a Steel Mill.

The cities of Gary, Birmingham and Pittsburgh; can be "Gloomy" places because of all the gray smoke coming out of the factories. I've mentioned before how Mr. Cliff, in 1968 during the Vietnam War; was hit in the neck by a jagged piece of hot metal "Shrapnel." I smell Sage.

One morning Daisy and I heard our boss and Mr. Cliff talk about this 1940's Boxer named Tony Zale, who was also from Gary. Because of his "toughness and courage," Mr. Steve's father says he liked him a lot. Being from Gary; Tony Zale's nickname became the "Man of Steel."

TONY ZALE (1913-1997)

Mr. Ralph, who knows a lot about the history of Boxing; says the three fights between Tony Zale and Rocky Graziano were some of the best matches ever. They really didn't like each other and all the fights were "vicious" Mr. Ralph read. Frida and Diego just now flew bye.

I've mentioned that book the "Pictorial History of Boxing" by Nat Fleicher. Daisy says our boss showed Mr. Cliff the section on the "Trilogy" of 1940's Graziano-Zale "Middleweight" championship fights. Mr. Steve's father, and his friends; listened to those fights on the Radio.

My Encyclopedia describes Tony Zale as being "able to take tremendous punishment." I guess, he was a great "Body Puncher" who "wore down opponents." That guy Superman, who came to Earth from another Planet; was also called the "Man of Steel" Dais heard one time.

"VIETNAM" WAR (1960'S)

Mr. Steve graduated from Sylmar High School in 1973, and thinks he came "pretty close" to having to go fight in the Vietnam War. He still has his "Draft Card" in a plastic bag. Speedy Gonzalez just now zoomed through the wider right vertical slot on the side of the back gate.

I remember our boss telling Mr. Cliff his dad used to have nightmares about the Korean War. I guess Mr. Cliff still has bad dreams about Vietnam, and called it "Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome." In Mr. Steve's father's day it was called "Shell Shock" or "Combat Fatigue."

A few years ago our boss bought and sold things to a guy who also fought in the Vietnam War. He said during that war he listened to the DOORS, KINKS and Jimi Hendrix. Dais says that man, who also liked "Country" music; lived on "Catalina" Island for a few years.

"SANTA CATALINA" ISLAND ("AVALON")

Dais heard our boss tell the man who fought in Vietnam about the times he's been over to Catalina. One time, in 1996 he thinks; he represented Mr. Rick's company on one of those "Job Walks." It was for a job "Going to Bid" on the west, or "other" side of Catalina Island.

On the way sailing to the Job Walk Mr. Steve saw a guy he knew who was representing his Mechanical Contracting company. Daisy heard our boss tell Mr. Rick the guy lived in that city of "Downey" which I wrote about yesterday. Some Ducks are quacking but Daffy's louder.

I guess, from what Dais heard; that Job Walk over on Catalina was on the side of the island where almost no one lives. That town of "Avalon" is on the east side. The walk was to gather information needed to "Draw Up" and "Submit a Bid" to do a "Pipe Job" in a harbor.

THE CARPENTERS THE BLASTERS (DAVE ALVIN)

PHOTO BY STEVE CÓRDOVA

I wrote yesterday about some Musicians from Downey, like those Christian brother and sister in the CARPENTERS for instance. Daisy heard our boss and Mr. Dave talking about how "Weird" Al Yankovic, and the BLASTERS too; are also from Downey. I smell some Sage.

The man also going to do the Job Walk in that little harbor on the west side of Catalina island knew about music I guess. But he didn't know one of METALLICA'S Guitarists is from Downey originally. Fannie and Freddie, talking to each other; are moving toward the east.

Dais heard our boss tell Mr. Dave the man from Downey said, in 1966 with Jimmy Page; a neighbor saw the YARDBIRDS play a concert at that round Casino in Avalon. Mr. Dave says he sure wishes he could have seen that show. Boy! I'd really like to see a concert someday.

THE YARDBIRDS LED ZEPPELIN

Besides all the good songs, one reason our boss and Mr. Dave like LED ZEPPELIN is the drums are not "Buried in the Mix" as they say. And on songs like "When the Levee Breaks" the drums are "Out Front" instead of sounding like they were in the distance. Dawn's barking.

Mr. Steve told his Niece Samantha how he still has a few vinyl records of the YARDBIRDS and LED ZEPPELIN too. And he also has some of those C.D.'s I've mentioned before, by LED ZEPPELIN. I can smell Blinky and old Rosie over there standing right next to Blinky.

For a little while Daisy heard, LED ZEPPELIN was called the NEW YARDBIRDS. But, a few of the former YARDBIRDS didn't like it so; they just went ahead and changed their name to avoid any arguments. That's what Daisy heard our boss and Mr. Rich talk about one time.

IRON BUTTERFLY QUIET RIOT

Our boss was told the name LED ZEPPELIN is kind of a joke name, which might've been suggested by the WHO'S Drummer Keith Moon. It "Suggests" two "Contradictory" things, like IRON BUTTERFLY or QUIET RIOT. A thing that needs to be light made of heavy material.

In 1968 a band from "San Diego," IRON BUTTERFLY; did a song called "In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida." Dais heard our boss and his brother Rock talk about how in 1968 they were going to St. Ferdinand's. Some think that song influenced later "Hard Rock" and "Heavy Metal."

Mr. Dave called In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida "psychedelic" or "acid" Rock. Mr. Steve had the IRON BUTTERFLY album where it was all of side two. It was about twenty minutes long, and had one of the first "Drum Solos" our boss and Mr. Dave had ever heard on a Rock song.

"GARDEN OF EDEN"

Dais heard, In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida is just another way of saying "In the Garden of Eden." She says Mr. Dave said it's a "love song" between those guys Adam and Eve. Our boss told Mr. Dave his parents, and Nuns at St. Ferdinand's too, "didn't quite get" In-A-Gadd-Da-Vida.

Wow! A good painting shows, in that Garden of Eden; a Lion sitting right next to a Lamb and not even trying to kill and eat it. Boy! I notice how, in that garden; there's a lot of fruit on the trees and colorful flowers growing. I see how they had Peacocks in the Garden of Eden.

I want to hear LED ZEPPELIN'S song "Celebration Day." Daisy thinks I'd like it seeing as how I like to celebrate so much. The name LED ZEPPELIN makes me remember how in 1863 President Lincoln said his "Gettysburg Address" speech "went over like a lead blanket."

JIMMY PAGE

Daisy says our boss was told how, in concert; Jimmy Page uses a "Bow" like the ones used to play cellos and violins. I guess he does it on the "Introduction" to "Immigrant Song," and it's even called "LA Drone." That song has such "eery-sounding" singing in it Dais thinks.

Our boss told Mr. Dave he once knew this guy who tried to learn how to use a violin bow to play his electric guitar. He found out it's not as easy as it looks when someone like Jimmy Page does it. It's like when people try to play behind their backs the way Stevie Ray Vaughn did.

Oh what the heck! Even though I'm not scheduled to learn about the history of the violin until tomorrow, I kind of just feel like doing it now too. Daisy and Millie saw this good tv show about the history of the "Stringed" instruments. Andy's over there guarding their burrow.

"KEMANCHEH" "HUQIN"

Daisy says one time this man from the country of "Iran" told Mr. Steve about a musical instrument called a "Kemancheh." This one Encyclopedia says, in 9th century "Persia" it had "three strings;" and was played by "using a bow." I smell Bonnie and Clyde's babies.

The man from Iran, or what used to be "Persia;" also told our boss about a Chinese "two-stringed instrument called a "Huqin." He said that kemancheh" would be translated as being "Little Bow," and "Armenians" and "Kurds" also use kemancheh's. Heathcliff crowed.

It says here the first "string instrument played with a bow" in Europe is from the 1100's, was "introduced" from the "Middle East;" and was called a "Rebec." It was followed during the late Middle Ages by the "Vielle." Samson and Delilah are flying over Libby's Corral.

EVOLUTION OF VIOLIN FROM 10TH CENTURY A.D.

A good chart shows the "evolution" of violin type musical instruments. At the beginning of the Middle Ages violins had just four strings, while the modern Italian violin has five or six. I guess, from what it says here, the first Kemancheh's and Huqin's are from about 800 B.C.

I don't know why but, I just thought about that Canadian band BACHMAN TURNER OVERDRIVE; or "B.T.O." for short. Daisy heard that there were three "Bachman" brothers in the band. Their Bassist, whose last name was "Turner;" sang in a "gruff and gravelly" voice.

Randy Bachman wrote the songs, played guitar and sang; sometimes with what sounded like a person "Stuttering." Before he was in B.T.O. he'd been in a 1960's band called the GUESS WHO. Hey! The Singer in the WHO also stuttered in that one song called "My Generation."

THE GUESS WHO BACHMAN TURNER OVERDRIVE

Mr. Steve used to have a customer from Canada who said he heard Randy Bachman left the GUESS WHO at the "height of their success." Many thought he was making a big mistake, but it turned out okay Daisy heard; because he did even better with his own new band.

To see their reaction; our boss has played the GUESS WHO'S song "American Woman" song for Drummers. Randy Bachman plays good guitar Dais says, but the unusual drum beat is what Mr. Steve wants them to notice. Mr. Dave had never noticed it and was impressed.

A while back this lady told our boss Randy Bachman "converted" to Mormonism when he married his wife. He left, or was kicked out of the GUESS WHO; because he does not drink or take drugs. Many Mormons are "Family-Oriented," and most are honest Mr. Steve thinks.

LONGSHIP VIKINGS RAIDING

Someday I want to hear that song "Immigrant Song," which Daisy heard is about Vikings invading England. Mr. Steve was told it was written while LED ZEPPELIN was in "Iceland," where some of the Vikings established that "Colony" I've written about. Dawn's barking.

"Greenland" sounds like a better place to live than Iceland. I just thought about those big scary Thunderstorm's from last Summer, which reminds me how "Thor" was the Viking God of "Thunder and Lightning." I tremble during storms but Daisy and our boss calm me down.

Daisy jokes no one beats "Mother Nature" or "Father Time," and Vikings knew it too. My Encyclopedia says a King "challenged" Thor to do "Three Tasks. First, he gave Thor a cup of beer but Thor couldn't drink it all because it was really just this giant Ocean in disguise.

"THOR"

I guess, Thor's second Task was to lift a Cat's paw but it was really a giant heavy Snake disguised as a Cat; so he couldn't even budge it. The third Task was outwrestle a small old lady, who "embodied old age or time; which no one can beat. I can smell little Blinky over there.

All of a sudden I just thought of that guy Gustav Holst, who influenced bands like BLACK SABBATH and LED ZEPPELIN. Daisy heard LED ZEPPELIN used, or "Sampled;" a part of Holst's composition "Mars" in their song "Friends." Max zoomed bye in front of the Sheds.

Oh! This is a good time to write about LED ZEPPELIN'S song called "Kashmir." I was supposed to write about it yesterday but missed it. Daisy says one time Mr. Mark told our boss Kashmir was "sampled" by a "Hip-Hop" band because of it's "exotic rhythm and feel."

INDIAN SUBCONTIENT INDIA / PAKISTAN

("KASHMIR" IN ORANGE) ("CHANGING OF THE GUARD")

I'm looking at a map of India, which shows the "Kashmir" region at the very northern part of that "Indian Subcontinent." It's colored in orange on the map, and India, Pakistan and China have "claims" to it. A lady from India told our boss Kashmir is "a lot of mountains."

Mr. Steve's father thinks the India, Pakistan border, with all three countries having some nuclear weapons; could be where the "first nuclear war" is fought. Oh wow! I love the hats the Soldiers get to wear at the nightly "changing of the guard" ceremony. I want one like that!

The lady told our boss what it says here too, how the name Kashmir "might" come from the "Sanskrit" language. She said the name "Kásmira" has "something to do with water." The shadows are all really starting to lean more and more away from me over here on the Patio.

LED ZEPPELIN MOROCCO

One time Mr. Dave told our boss he read the lyrics for LED ZEPPELIN'S song Kashmir were actually written by Robert Plant the Singer when he was in "Morocco." That's the area of northwest Africa, at the very far western end of that huge "Sahara" desert. I smell Sage.

I can't wait to someday hear that song Kashmir. Daisy noticed how Robert Plant sings about the "yellow desert," and also mentions his "mama" and says "I've been flying." Speedy Gonzalez just now ran through the right vertical gate slot to go out into the back desert.

Daisy says Mr. Dave thinks LED ZEPPELIN'S two most "Progressive Rock" songs are Kashmir and also that other one "Stairway to Heaven." I really want to hear that song too, as well as all of those other LED ZEPPELIN songs Daisy's told me about. Heathcliff crowed.

"SECRET SQUIRREL" / "MOROCCO MOLE" / "DOUBLE Q"

Mentioning the country of Morocco makes me think of that cartoon Daisy told me about. It's about a smart "Secret Agent" Squirrel whose Assistant is named "Morocco Mole." He wears one of those "Fez" hats and of course Dais likes it because it's red. I like Heathcliff's voice.

Daisy told me how Millie liked those "Secret Squirrel" cartoons. They're from the 1960's and, like the tv show "Get Smart;" are based on the "James Bond" books and movies. I guess, Secret Squirrel, "Agent 0000;" even has a boss named "Double Q" instead of just plain "Q."

Andy over there reminds me how Secret Squirrel has James Bond type" Gadgets," like a cane machine gun. The spy gadgets "backfire" so Morocco Mole helps him. Secret Squirrel and Morocco Mole call their boss Double Q "Chief," the way Dais is starting to call Mr. Steve.

"JAMES BOND" "GET SMART"

One time our boss and Mr. Phillip talked about Ian Flemming's "007" books. Because he grew up over in Wales Mr. Phillip only saw the tv show Get Smart later, and thought they were "very clever." Mr. Steve told him about those "Walther PPK" guns according to Daisy.

I guess Morocco Mole is one of those "Sidekicks" I've mentioned before, and in helping his boss Secret Squirrel fight crime and evil he mainly drives him around. Secret Squirrel, under his hat and coat; has many astounding spy things. Daisy says his hat is also a really good mask.

Oh! I just looked up "Mole" in my Encyclopedia and the picture is so amazing. Dais and Millie watched a tv show about Moles, which are like Gophers in having adapted to living under the ground. Ah! A nice cool breeze just brought in all of the smells out there in the desert.

MOLE

Boy! Now I understand what Dais was talking about when she said Moles have no need for eyes so theirs are tiny, and their really powerful front legs have evolved to dig. Mr. Steve met a lady from Germany who knew about the Moles over in Europe. The chimes are ringing.

Daisy says the lady told our boss Farmers don't like Moles, who it says here mainly eat those Earthworms. They're "solitary" or live alone, and Mr. Phillip says in England people call them "Mouldywarps." I wonder if Moles have distinctive strong smells like our Gophers?

The lady said in Germany and three Scandinavian countries Moles have different names, like "Moulwurf;" and all have to do with "dirt tossing." "Moul" is dirt or soil, while "Wurf " means to throw something. You can see by the photo that Moles have big noses for smelling.

WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE KING HENRY VIII

(1564-1616) (1491-1547)

THE CHANDROS PORTRAI HANS HOLBEIN THEYOUNGER

One time our boss and Mr. Ralph talked about that Secret Squirrel cartoon. Mr. Steve has heard Moles are all over the world but "maybe" not in Morocco's sand. Daisy told me how Millie liked the black glasses and blue coat Morocco Mole always wears. I want a blue Fez!

Mr. Ralph read the old saying to "Make a Mountain Out of a Mole Hill," or "exaggerate a situation;" was "coined" during Henry VIII's mid-16th century "Tudor" period. During his daughter Queen Elizabeth I's reign Shakespeare "referred" to Moles. Heathcliff crowed.

A few years ago Mr. Steve heard this kid and his band playing LED ZEPPELIN'S song Kashmir. Our boss told Mr. Dave their "cover" version "sounded pretty good," with keyboards in it like the way John Paul Jones used to do for LED ZEPPELIN. I smell Andy over there.

DIAMOND HEAD DRAGPIPE

I don't know why but for some reason I just now thought of that 1980's song called "Am I Evil." Daisy told me it was originally done by one of those "New Wave of Heavy Metal" English bands called DIAMOND HEAD. Our boss and Mr. Rich talked about that song one time.

Dais says Mr. Dave thinks the "Intro" to Am I Evil is so good, and Mr. Steve told him how it's a Hard Rock version of Holst's Mars. Our boss one time told Mr. Rich his band DRAGPIPE should have "covered" that song. A Train just whistled faintly way out there in the desert.

Mr. Steve has heard METALLICA'S cover of DIAMOND HEAD'S song Am I Evil, and I guess likes both versions equally. Someday I really want to hear that song, which Dais thinks is "really catchy." And I also want to hear some songs by that other band called BUDGIE.

METALLICA

Mr. Dave saw an episode of "The Metal Show" when METALLICA'S Drummer was the guest. He said METALLICA "covered" Am I Evil? but "conveniently didn't mention" it wasn't their song. Gustav Holst's Mars really creates a "Sense of Anticipation" Daisy thinks.

I've mentioned before how Mr. Steve likes songs whose beginning section creates that sense of anticipation. That's why he likes some Progressive Rock songs, like "Roundabout" by YES; or RUSH'S "Tom Sawyer." That's one thing I also like in GENESIS'S song "Musical Box."

Daisy told me about a METALLICA song called "For Whom the Bells Toll." It also has a good opening, and Mr. Steve thinks must've been inspired by Ernest Hemingway's book about the Spanish Civil War. Daisy says the introduction part of a book is called the "Preface."

JOHAN SEBASTIAN BACH (1685-1750) IAN ANDERSON (JETHRO TULL)

ARTWORK BY RISCHGITZ

All of a sudden I'm hearing the flute in that song "The Third Hoorah!" I'm really looking forward to someday hearing JETHRO TULL'S "Bourée," which Daisy heard was their version of that one German "Baroque" Composer Bach's song. Antonio Vivaldi influenced Bach.

This Encyclopedia says Bourée was a late 17th and early 18th century "dancing style." I guess, Bach's parents died when he was ten; but had taught him to earn a living through music. His wife died having their seventh child, only four of which survived. Libby just whinnied.

Wow! Bach's second wife had thirteen kids, and six survived. He was a "Kappelmeister," or "Music Director." In his lifetime he was known as a good Musician, but in the 19th century his song writing ability was "recognized." Like Vivaldi, he was buried in a "Pauper's" grave.

"SWITCHED ON BACH" (1972) Yesterday I wrote about those "Moog Synthesizers," and that album called "Switched on Bach;" which Mr. Steve still has a copy of on vinyl record. That's where Bach's Baroque songs were played with a more modern electronic keyboard sound. Libby's scent just floated in.

I've mentioned before how a lot of different bands began using synthesizers in their music, like even the WHO for instance; in the early 1970's. Someday I want to hear their song "Baba O'Reilly, which Daisy says begins with a good synthesizer introduction. Heathcliff crowed.

Mr. Dave told our boss he read, in the late 1960's that band the MONKEES were the first band to use a really "primitive" synthesizer on an album. Boy! The MONKEES must've been so talented because, not only did they make good songs; they even had their own tv show too.

THE MONKEES 1965 "GTO" Daisy told me about that special Car the MONKEES got to drive around in. Our boss, and Mr. Jim down there in Sylmar; built models of that Car when they were kids. It's one of those "Custom" Cars like the ones that guy "Big Daddy" Roth used to build back in those days.

The "Monkeemobile" was a fixed up 1966 "Pontiac GTO." Mr. Cliff, who had a 1965 GTO when young; one time told our boss about the "body style" difference between the 1965 and 1966 models. Mr. Steve did one of his line drawings of the guitar-shaped MONKEES' logo.

Mr. Dave read how one time, in the mid-1960's; the MONKEES Drummer showed an early synthesizer to the BEATLES' John Lennon. He was interested in it I guess, but was only able to make a few "weird noises" with it. Fred , Ed and Ted are all flying over Libby's Corral. EMERSON, LAKE AND PALMER

A band that "Popularized" using a synthesizer, in the 1970's; was that group EMERSON, EMERSON, LAKE AND PALMER. Mr. Dave said a synthesizer is "smaller, cheaper and more reliable than electronic keyboard instruments that came before it. Libby's walking around.

I guess in the 1970's those synthesizers became so popular even bands who usually didn't use keyboards, like the ROLLING STONES for example; used them on a few songs. Daisy says the WHO'S Pete Townsend used "ARP" synthesizers on "Who's Next." Heathcliff crowed.

One time Mr. Rich told our boss how a "Transistor" was better than "Vacuum Tubes" for use on electronic musical instruments. And my Dictionary says a Transistor is a "compact device that controls current flow." Boy! It's starting to get darker and darker around here.

JETHRO TULL ("PASSION PLAY")

Oh! I'm hearing JETHRO TULL'S song "The Third Hoorrah!," which is now making me think of that JETHRO TULL concert I've mentioned before. That girl Angela had tickets and knew our boss had a Car. Two orange boy Finches are over there fighting about something.

In our boss's first Chevelle, the one his dad bought for him from Mr. Rick; Mr. Steve and Angela drove to Inglewood to see that JETHRO TULL concert. It turned out that 1973 concert was really good Dais heard. I've mentioned it a few times already in these first two books.

Hey Lord! That concert was named "A Passion Play," just liked they called Your death back in the "Middle Ages." Our boss told Miss Susan at work JETHRO TULL created a great "sense of anticipation" in the audience to start that concert. The Finches stopped fighting.

"AQUALUNG" (1971)

Our boss told Miss Susan in 1973 he and Angela, especially her; knew JETHRO TULL'S music and she liked their version of Bach's "Bourée." Mr. Steve still has a vinyl record of their album "Aqualung." Back then he copied the "Old English" lettering on the album cover.

In 1973 there was a big screen behind the stage, with the album cover projected onto it; an upside down "Ballerina" Daisy heard. But suddenly the bright lights went out; and the twenty thousand people in attendance muttered; then went totally silent. Heathcliff just crowed.

A small red dot appeared up on the screen, started to blink, and with every pulse the "Blip" sound got louder; and the red dot got bigger and bigger. Angela held on tight to Mr. Steve's arm as the blip evolved from dripping water to a "Throbbing" beating heart. I smell Mesquite.

"A PASSION PLAY (1973)

One time Daisy heard our boss's mom use the phrase, "You could hear a ping drop;" and that's the way it was at the beginning of that JETHRO TULL concert. Everyone knew when the whole screen blipped into all red something would happen. Samson and Delilah flew bye.

On the album cover the upside down Ballerina's eyes were open, and she looks like one of those "Mannequins." Some people in the audience "Gasped" when the entire screen blipped red because the Ballerina's eyes "Blinked." Angela held on even tighter than before I guess.

Then, in slow motion; the camera "Panned Back" for one of those "Wide Angle Shots" I've mentioned before. The Ballerina stood up, and began running toward the camera; a big pane of glass or mirror appearing Daisy says. Oh! Two of the Pigeons are up there on the Patio roof.

PIGEONS ON PATIO ROOF

Dais heard, at the beginning of the JETHRO TULL concert; when that Ballerina jumped and crashed through the mirror some of the audience cringed. I guess, shards of glass seemed to be flying all over the place; lights exploded up on the stage; and the concert then got started.

As JETHRO TULL "Hit the Stage" the crowd was cheering, which began a good concert. They did new songs, but also the "Hits" like "Locomotive Breath;" which in parts really sounds just like a Train chugging along Daisy told me. Oh! A Train whistled over there to my right.

JETHRO TULL have a song about a girl named "Mary" who's "Cross Eyed." A decade later, in the 1980's; that song was "Covered" by IRON MAIDEN Mr. Steve was told. The two Pigeons just took off, and are now flying right over the Sheds; going out into the back desert. SPARKS

Mr. Steve and that girl Angela were impressed at the concert JETHRO TULL did on that night back in 1973. Our boss thought JEHRO TULL was going to be really big but, just like with that band SPARKS from here in Los Angeles; they didn't. I can smell that Arborvitae tree.

I've mentioned before how the band who "Opened Up" that JETHRO TULL concert was STEELEY SPAN, who Mr. Steve now really likes. Both he and Angela thought their Middle Age sounding British "Folk" music was perfect for setting up JETHRO TULL. Daffy's quacking.

Oh! All of a sudden I'm hearing that STEELEY SPAN song "Jigs," which is making me start to like the sound of mandolin and banjo. I guess Mr. Steve thinks STEELEY SPAN'S girl Singer who plays spoons on Jigs, besides being talented; is very pretty. I feel like dancing!

STEELEYE SPAN

Boy! Hearing Jigs right now is really making me feel like dancing. There's no singing on that song, but STEELEYE SPAN'S other song "Gaudette" has only singing; with not even one musical instrument at all. It's one of those "Acapella" songs I've mentioned a few times.

Dais told me STEELEYE SPAN have a song about King Henry VIII, and another about a Black Cow. The singing in Gaudette is all in Latin, and that girl Singer's voice is so pretty and beautiful Dais says. I can smell Bonnie and Clyde's babies sleeping up there in their nest.

Mr. Dave told our boss he once read about BLACK SABBATH'S Guitarist Tony Iommi being on that one British tv show "Top of the Pops" with JETHRO TULL. But, I guess all he did was take part in one of those fake "Lip Synching" songs. Libby just whinnied over there.

JETHRO TULL ("TOP OF THE POPS")

Our boss told Mr. Dave he's glad Tony Iommi didn't stay in JETHRO TULL because then there would've been no BLACK SABBATH. He says JETHRO TULL'S Guitarist back in 1973 was really good too. Our boss Mr. Steve was in the 12th Grade at Sylmar High in that year.

Mr. Steve likes it when bands play Classical music to create the atmosphere of anticipation before a concert. Daisy and Millie one time saw a "Documentary" about David Bowie's band the SPIDERS FROM MARS' last concert. A little Wren with a twig in its mouth just ran bye.

I guess, that SPIDERS FROM MARS concert was in the city of "London," and also took place in 1973. Before the band came out on stage this tape of Beethoven's "9th" Symphony was played. Daisy says she could tell Mr. Steve liked hearing that as the beginning of a concert.

SPIDERS FROM MARS METALLICA

Tomorrow I'm scheduled to write about a song called "The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly." Daisy heard how METALLICA play a girl singing from that song to start all of their concerts. I really want to see the Video, and hear METALLICA'S song too; about that Sandman guy.

I mentioned earlier how our boss took pictures of the SPIDERS' Guitarist Mick Ronson at the "Palace" in Hollywood. He went with Miss Harriet on one of her assignments. I just noticed Goliath right now using the thin left vertical gate slot to go out into desert behind the Sheds.

Dais says, in the concert at the Palace the Singer in the band Mick Ronson was in was this guy named Ian Hunter. Back in the early 1970's he was in another English band called MOTT THE HOOPLE. Both the SPIDERS and MOTT THE HOOPLE were "Glam" bands.

IAN HUNTER GUNS N' ROSES

PHOTO BY STEVE CÓRDOVA

Daisy heard our boss tell Mr. Dave how, on that one night at the Palace GUNS N' ROSES' Singer and Guitarist came out for a song. Back in those days Photographers used "Film," and Mr. Steve had one "Roll" left but it was not "Loaded" in his camera. It was in his "Bag."

When GUNS N' ROSES suddenly came out on stage Mr. Steve went to get the roll from his camera bag. But, unfortunately; it was then he realized the drunk guy who bumped into him a few times had accidentally knocked the roll out and it went under the stage. I smell Sage.

Now, in "Digital" format, a Photographer can take as many pictures as he or she wants to. Later you can simply erase of "Delete" anything you don't want. But in the early 1990's, when the usually low-paid Photographer paid to "Develop" the film; they had to be "Selective."

THE "PALACE"

Mr. Steve went to get his last roll of film, but then noticed it was gone. He looked around but knew it had probably been kicked by all the people standing near the stage. At first he was really mad at the drunk guy, but then realized it was his own fault for "not being prepared."

Daisy says Mr. Dave has also been to the Palace, which he described as being a "smaller version of the Palladium;" with no seats but just a dance floor. Hey! What if someone started a Dance Hall for Dogs? It might just turn out to be a good business to make some money!

A few years ago our boss met a guy from Ireland who told him that Guitarist Mick Ronson had died. He also said how, after the SPIDERS FROM MARS ended; for "a little while" Mick Ronson played in Bob Dylan's band. Donald and Daisy sound happy quacking together.

LUDWIG VAN BEETHOVEN (1770-1827) ABBA

All of a sudden I just thought of that guy Beethoven. It's too bad he had kind of a sad life from what Daisy heard our boss say. Over there in Germany at the end of the 18th century, he was one of seven kids in his family; but I guess only he and two younger brothers survived.

I've mentioned how that young girl described Beethoven's song "Fúr Elise" as being kind of a "happy sad song." So, Mr. Steve played her that ABBA song "S.O.S;" wanting to see what her reaction would be. As he suspected, she said it gave her the same "sentimental" feeling.

I guess, Beethoven wrote some love songs, but girls thought he was too ugly; sometimes I guess he was like Albert Einstein in not combing his hair. He was often low on money, ended up going deaf; but overcame it by adapting. Mr. Dave thinks he heard music "in his head."

DAVID BOWIE (SPIDERS FROM MARS) KEVIN DUBROW PHOTO BY MICK ROCK

Our boss and Sandy, in the 1970's; went to a backyard party in Van Nuys. QUIET RIOT'S Singer Kevin Dubrow was there. There was this good Stereo system, and they played really loud the SPIDERS' song "Suffragette City;" and AEROSMITH'S album "Toys in the Attic."

Mr. Steve thinks David Bowie was smart to quit being the "Ziggy Stardust" character so he wouldn't become "Typecaste." He didn't want to be a "Parody" or "Caricature" of himself, and probably thought the SPIDERS gimmick but had "Run its Course." Heathcliff crowed.

Dais says our boss really likes that SPIDERS' song "Man Who Sold the World," which he thinks is most likely about that guy Judas Ascariot who may've betrayed You Lord. Mr. Steve also liked it a lot when NIRVANA played that song on their "Unplugged" performance. DEEP PURPLE

Our boss told Mr. Dave he remembers how, at that barbecue in Van Nuys; they also played DEEP PURPLE'S album's "In Rock" and "Machine Head." People were so impressed when they played the song "Child in Time" Daisy heard. Blackbeard and Anne Bonny flew bye.

I look forward to someday hearing DEEP PURPLE songs. Daisy says Mr. Steve, besides liking the musicianship on their early 1970's albums; also really likes the way the band arranged the structure of those old songs. They're now considered to be early "Heavy Metal" songs.

Dais told me about that other band RAINBOW, which Guitarist Ritchie Blackmore started after he left DEEP PURPLE. They did songs about "Swords and Sorcerers," the one she likes is is about a man who lives on a silver mountain. They also have a a song called "Stargazer."

RAINBOW

PHOTO BY METAL BLOGS.COM

Mr. Dave really likes how Ritchie Blackmore, especially in RAINBOW; was influenced by Classical music. They did a song called "Difficult to Cure," which is a "Tribute" to Beethoven's "9th" Symphony. A small flock of Birds is flying bye way up there in the high blue sky.

Daisy likes the RAINBOW song "Since You've been Gone," and says the guitar playing on that song Stargazer sounds kind of Arabic. That guy Ronnie James Dio was RAINBOW'S first Singer Dais heard. I mentioned yesterday how "Dio" later sang for BLACK SABBATH.

I guess, Ritchie Blackmore named his second band for that "Rainbow Bar and Grille" in Hollywood. Mr. Steve told his Niece Stephanie, who's a talented Cook; he ate good "Chicken Strips" there. I've mentioned how Steph's boyfriend Mr. Rich is also a very good cook too.

"RAINBOW" RESTAIRANT / "ROXY" THEATER

I've written before about how, back in the late 1980's and early 1990's; Mr. Steve often went with Miss Harriet on her different review assignments. Some of them were for shows at the "Roxy" Theater, which is right next door to the "Rainbow." Frida and Diego just flew bye.

Dais says our boss told his Niece Stephanie Ritchie Blackmore used to eat at the Rainbow, and that's where he got the name of his band. He told her how over the years he and others have enjoyed just walking all around in "West Hollywood." A Train whistled faintly to my left.

Another Musician originally from England but now lives here in Los Angeles is that guy "Lemmy," MÖTORHEAD'S Bassist and Singer. I guess, he lives within walking distance from the Rainbow so goes there a lot; often to play "Video Poker." Ah! I smell some Mesquite.

"LEMMY" KILMISTER

Daisy told me about that MÖTORHEAD song "Ace of Spades." Our boss told his bother Rock about the time he introduced himself to Lemmy at the Rainbow, and shook his hand. He was friendly and was the one who suggested the Chicken Strips because that's what he liked.

Mr. Steve told Lemmy he liked some songs by his former band HAWKWIND. And when he mentioned how his brother Rock used that name as a nickname as a Camp Counselor at a Boys Camp in Griffith Park, he thinks he said, "A good band that." Lemmy has a thick accent.

I think if I ever do put together a Dog band, I'd try to be influenced by all the different types of music that our boss likes; like Classical. Daisy heard him and his brother Rock talk one time talk about how HAWKWIND was influenced by early PINK FLOYD. Heathcliff crowed.

YNGWIE MALMSTEIN

Another good Guitarist who's influenced by Classical music is Yngwie Malmstein from Sweden. I've never heard any of his songs, but Daisy told me he plays really, really fast on the guitar. Sweden, where some Vikings came from; is where that band ABBA are from too.

"Yngwie" admired Ritchie Blackmore's playing so much he took the time to learn every note from DEEP PURPLE'S live album as a kid. That's what Mr. Steve was told one time, by a "Volvo" customer; who was also originally from Sweden too. I can hear Dawn barking.

Our boss told Mr. Dave how, one time as guest on "The Metal Show;" Yngwie was asked if he ever played something so complicated he couldn't remember what he'd done. He chuckled, and admitted he's done that alright. The Keyboard Player in his band plays fast too Dais says.

NICCOLÒ PAGANINI (1782-1840)

I guess Yngwie's family liked Bach and this 19th century Italian Violinist named Niccolò Paganini. "Paganini" is known for playing really fast like Yngwie Dais said. Our boss told Mr. Dave he hears Paganini in the organ and guitar solos of DEEP PURPLE'S "Highway Star."

I've mentioned before how one time Mr. Steve got to take pictures of RAINBOW's Singer Ronnie James Dio. That concert was in the late 1980's at the Forum in Inglewood. Goliath just crawled out into the back desert through the left vertical gate slot, with Andy watching him.

During the period when Ronnie James Dio did that concert at the Forum Mr. Mark sold his wife "Wendy," his "Business Manager; advertising for things at the Forum. I've said a few times how he, Mr. Steve and Miss Helen all sold, among others things; "Advertising Packages."

RITCHIE BLACKMORE WITH WIFE CANDICE

Dais says our boss thinks that girl Wendy Dio sounds like a smart person. A few years ago this guy told our boss how Ritchie Blackmore doesn't play Rock music anymore. I guess, he met a girl and they play music which sounds like it could be from "Renaissance" times Daisy says.

I just thought about that Recording Studio "Sound City" in Van Nuys, where "Dio" made his 1982 album "Holy Diver." In the late 1990's Mr. Steve worked for that Flower Company in San Fernando. In 1997 he made a flower delivery to Sound City, so curious to see inside.

Many good albums have been made at Sound City, like some of FLEETWOOD MAC'S best ones for example. I can't wait to someday hear FLEETWOOD MAC, because Daisy thinks I'd really like some of their songs. That guy Tom Petty made some albums there Dais heard.

FLEETWOOD MAC TOM PETTY / HEARTBREAKERS PHOTO BY RICHARD CREAMER PHOTO BY ED CARAEFF

Daisy and Millie one time heard our boss tell Mr. Dave how it was impressive to see all of the many "Gold Records" Sound City in Van Nuys had on the walls. That guy Tom Petty, and his band the HEARTBREAKERS; made some albums at Sound City. Heathcliff crowed.

Sound City is where Neil Young recorded some songs, and so did Johnny Cash from what Daisy heard. Even though it was small in size Sound City's "Mixing Board," for recording on tape; was one of the best in the whole world. Some of Heathcliff's Hens are clucking away.

Mr. Steve heard NIRVANA'S Drummer Dave Grohl, now the FOO FIGHTERS Singer and Guitarist; bought that mixing board when Sound City went out of business. Daisy heard Sound City recorded drums well. NIRVANA'S famous 1993 album was recorded at Sound City.

"GALPIN" FORD

I've mentioned before how Mr. Dave, before the economic recession; did the same job our boss, and Miss Babette, Susan and Karin do. One customer Mr. Steve lost during this current recession is called "Galpin" Ford. Dais heard that it's in Van Nuys, near to Sound City.

Mr. Steve's father knows Mr. Boeckman, the owner of Galpin Ford. They've both been to many Democratic Party functions or events over the many years. Often those occasions had to do with the history of the post war San Fernando Valley, which both men played a part in.

One time our boss and Mr. Rich talked about that guy Ed "Big Daddy" Roth. I guess, Galpin Ford has this collection of Cars; some made by Ed Roth. I've mentioned a few times over the last two days how Mr. Rich, who's also a good "Pinstriper; admires Mr. Ed's artwork.

ED "BIG DADDY" ROTH (1932-2001)

I've written about how, as a kid Mr. Steve rode his bike to the "San Fernando Drag Strip;" and one time met that guy Ed Roth. Mr. Steve, and his friend Neil; were at first intimidated by how big he was. He was born in the same year as Mr. Steve's father was, but already died.

Mr. Steve built a model of a "Custom Car" designed and built by Big Daddy Roth. It was called "Canned Heat," just like the name of that band. Oh! All of a sudden I'm hearing their song "Goin up the Country" in my mind, which makes me feel happy to be here on Elvira.

Daisy and Millie heard our boss and Mr. Rich, who played guitar in that Heavy Metal band from New Jersey DRAGPIPE; talk about Big Daddy Roth. They both like his eight "Goals" in life. One was "Be on Time," another "Play it Straight; and a third was "Thank for Help."

THE BAND DRAGPIPE MR. RICH

Hey God! Big Daddy Roth said to "listen to You, ask You for strength and guidance;" and "Pray, Read and Study." Boy! That sounds like what Sister Rita Joseph said to do too. I always think of Mr. Rich when I see the good welded wrought iron Dragon he made for us as a gift.

Another goal Big Daddy Roth said everyone should try to follow is, "Define your God given talent and then us it." Rudy just ran through the right vertical slot on the side of the gate to go out into the back field. There are some wispy white clouds spreading out up in the sky.

Besides getting to see Sound City, another thing Mr. Steve did in 1997 was help his flower company boss write text for an advertisement. It "Ran" on the "Howard Stern Radio Show." Howard Stern, like Miss Emily; grew up in that area of New York City called "Long Island."

HOWARD STERN

Mr. Steve thinks Howard Stern's family, like Miss Emily and Miss Harriet, may be from a family of those immigrant "Ashkenazi" eastern Europe Jews. I've written about how at the turn of the century many Jews were escaping persecution. They came through "Ellis Island."

Daisy heard how Howard Stern made the advertisement for the flower company better by changing a few small things. Mr. Steve wrote "No mix ups on delivery," Howard Stern said "no screwups;" which made it sound more like the way he talked. Two of the Pigeons flew bye.

I just thought about how, back in 1977 Mr. Steve and his brother Rock saw the "Statue of Liberty" in New York Harbor. I've mentioned how Miss Emily, before working at the U.C.L.A. Athletic Department; helped raise money to "refurbish" that statue. Dawn's barking.

PEOPLE "LOOKING FOR WORK" IN HIGH DESERT

Over the last two days I've mentioned a few times how, since late 2008; we've been one of those "Economic Recessions." So a lot of people up here where we live are having a harder time trying to make money. Daisy heard our boss tell his father how there are "signs everywhere."

Mr. Randy mentioned that one morning how, many people in our area are having those "Garage Sales;" some every single day. Lately, to raise money; some groups like the "4H Club" or Serrano High School Cheerleaders have "Car Washes" in Phelan. Andy's looking at me.

I used to be so afraid of water coming out of hoses but, now that I know what it is I kind of like when Mr. Steve washes our Cars on the cement slab in front of the garage. Daisy and I play in the "spray." I always pretend to be scared but actually I just really like jumping around.

DAISY / MAGGIE CÓRDOVA

When Mr. Steve washes our Cars sometimes he suddenly squirts me with water, and I run away fast. Daisy looks forward to letting our boss soak her in water on really hot days, and now so do I because it makes me feel so good. Fred, Ed and Ted are all flying out into the desert.

Looking at our steel water bucket over there next to the sliding glass door going into this dining room makes me appreciate water. Daisy is so right God! She thinks we should thank You for making it so our Planet has a lot of water so more things can live and multiply down here.

I guess, many people who live near us are having a harder time making money, so some are even doing things like selling food or firewood; right on the street. We heard Mr. Randy say a lot of his neighbors are "barely making it," or "just scraping by." Heathcliff crowed over there.

PIÑON HILLS POST OFFICE

I've mentioned before how unlike in a city, there is no "Mail Delivery" where we live up here in this part of the desert; so we have a "Box" at the Post Office. Daisy's been to that Post Office before, and someday I'm hoping to see; and especially smell it too. Boy! I can't wait!

One morning last Summer, as our boss watered the Mulberry tree over there; Mr. Randy mentioned how lately there's been a man in a white Van parked near the Oost Office entrance. I guess he's a "Carpet Cleaner" trying to get work. Mr. Steve says, "You can tell he's not lazy."

Mr. Randy said, if no one hires that man in the morning; he drives over to the Phelan Post Office. As that guy Satchel Paige used to say, "A man's got to do what a man's got to do." I've mentioned how Mr. Steve's father, and Mr. Rick too; sometimes say "Whatever it takes."

ISAAC NEWTON (1642-1766)

Boy! It's too bad some smart person like that guy Isaac Newton never created a tree to grow money on. Besides being a Scientist, he also studied "Alchemy;" which tried to turn lead into gold. Boy! Looking that that picture of Isaac Newton makes me want to get a wig.

I just thought of that guy King Midas, who got what he had wished for, being able to turn anything he touched into gold; only to find out it was a "Curse" when he accidentally turned his own daughter into gold. Two Pigeons are flying over Libby's Corral, moving toward the east.

Daisy heard our boss and Mr. Grant one time talking about how the U.S. Government, to keep us from going into one of those "Depressions;" is now "printing money out of thin air." Mr. Steve father joked it just sounds better to call it "Quantitative Easing." Daffy's quacking.

POST-WORLD WAR I ("WEIMAR" GERMANY)

I've written before about how, after losing the First World War; the "Weimar" German government tried to get away with printing more money too. The caption below a picture says it shows men carrying thousands of "almost worthless paper notes. Daffy has a strong voice.

I just thought of how in the early 1920's, the German people had to use wheelbarrows to carry money around; because of the "Inflation" caused by the printing of too much money. Mr. Steve's father thinks that could happen here in the U.S. too someday. I can smell a Lizard.

Sometimes at night, out there on Primavera Road; some poor people sleep in "Recreational Vehicles." They have nowhere to go so our boss doesn't mind, "just as long as they don't dump anything in the dirt." They always leave early in the morning before most people even notice.

MR. RANDY

One time our boss told Mr. Randy about the time a couple was out there on the road in front of our house arguing. Her Car was parked on the side of the road, with his Truck behind it. Daisy and I, as well as Dawn, Blinky and Rosie too; were all really barking at them.

As Mr. Steve walked out to the front gate the couple were so busy yelling at each other they didn't even notice him until he yell, "Hey! What's going on?" They turned and then the guy said, "Oh! We were just leaving." The girl ran, jumped into her Car; and sped off.

The guy got in his Truck and chased the Car. As Mr. Steve was walking toward them he heard the guy yell, "You didn't tell me about those credit cards! As they drove away you could see three little kids sitting in the girl's back seat. Aha! I see a Lizard over there in the dirt.

HIGH DESERT LIZARD

I've mentioned how Sister Rita Joseph told her class the difference between "Sympathy" and "Empathy." Sympathy is feeling sorry for someone, empathy is when you understand their situation because you've experienced the same thing. You've "Walked in their shoes."

I just thought of "Blackie," who's buried in our graveyard on the north side of the cement slab. I empathized with him when he got dumped out there on the road in front of our house. I guess Mr. Steve has given or lent money to people he's sympathized and empathized with.

Daisy told me about that LED ZEPPELIN song “Dazed and Confused,” which is exactly what Blackie looked like running back and forth out there on the road. We were all barking at him, and he you could tell he couldn't decide which direction to run. The Lizard ran away.

LED ZEPPELIN

I can't wait to someday hear LED ZEPPELIN songs. Daisy says she thinks of their song "Friends" in seeing abandoned Dogs who have none, so we should be grateful. Besides having Hard Rock songs, LED ZEPPELIN do softer "Celtic," or "folkish" music too I guess.

When Mr. Steve drives down to Sylmar he now sees many more people from countries like Mexico selling things like "Tamales" on the side of the road. Mr. Ralph told him some of them are also from El Salvador, Honduras and Guatemala too. It's getting darker fast right now.

Daisy heard our boss tell his mom how he sometimes buys tamales from a girl who parks near the "Four Points" intersection, where that big Swap Meet is located. That's close to where his brother Sam's family live in Littlerock. Andy's over there guarding the burrow entrance.

"ANTELOPE VALLEY" SWAP MEET (PALMDALE)

I've mentioned before how over the years Mr. Steve has bought and sold things at Swap Meets. One time he and Mr. Grant spent a Sunday walking around the one near to his brother Sam's house. Max zoomed bye and is now zipping out into the desert behind the Sheds.

Our boss and his mom talked about "Street Vendors" selling a sweet-flavored "Shaved" ice called "Raspado." My Spanish Dictionary says "raspar" means "to scrape." Daisy thinks, before they squirt the liquid flavoring onto the ice; the ice is first scraped off a block of ice.

Another noticeable change lately is how so many people ride Motorcycles up and down the road in front of our property. That's manly because gas is more expensive now than it was just a few years ago. I can now smell the clump of Joshua trees over there near Libby's Corral.

"VESPA" SCOOTERS (ROME, ITALY)

One time Mr. Steve and his father talked about how, in 1985 in Italy and Israel; there were a lot of people riding those "Vespa Scooters." Daisy told me that scooters are sort of like small Motorcycles. She said a few years ago this young kid used to ride a "Vespa" past our house.

Daisy heard our boss's friend Mark Ritter who died knew about Vespa's, and so does Mr. Doug down there in Sylmar now. I've mentioned a few times how Mr. Doug also knows about the mechanics of French "Citroen" Cars too, and sometimes still works on them. I smell Sage.

In 1985 Italy's economy was bad, gas was expensive, and that's why so many people rode Vespa's. The Italian currency the was the "Lira" the, which was before the "Euro" now used; and it was "Fluctuating Wildly" as they say. Heathcliff's Hens are now clucking over there.

WESTERN "WAILING" WALL (JERUSALEM, ISRAEL)

Hey God! All of a sudden, for some reason I just thought about when Mr. Steve and the Tour Group got to go to that big wall over there in Israel. If we could go back in time Daisy and I would want to see either one of Jerusalem's two Jewish Temple's. A Crow cawed faintly.

If Dais and I were ever to be so lucky as to be able to go to Jerusalem God, You know we'd definitely stick a paper with a wish on it in one of the cracks between the blocks of what's left of King Herod's "Second Temple. I'd ask You to please let me stay here on these two acres.

Mr. Steve's father, on the Bus going north from "Tel Aviv" up to "Haifa;" talked about the Israeli economy and how people in Israel also rode Vespa's. Daisy says Millie liked the cute little wagon that kid at times pulled on his Vespa. If I had a Vespa that's what I would want too.

ROME JERUSALEM

PHOTO BY NIKREATES

Daisy heard our boss talking with his mom one time about how over the years he's done "informal" slide presentations for people of the 1985 trip to Italy and Israel. Some have noticed how there are only small Cars in the images. Fred, Ed and Ted just flew over the house.

I guess, a "Slide Projector" is an ingenious machine that lets you see the picture, in a big size; on a screen or even a wall. Daisy says it's one of the most amazing things she's ever seen, and knows I would probably think the same thing. Boy! I can't wait to see that alright.

Boy Lord! Dais and I both think our boss is so lucky because he got to see that "Jordan" River where Your cousin John baptized You. That would be so great! Bravo Company is right now using both of the vertical gate slots to go out there into the desert behind the Sheds.

"JORDAN RIVER "CAESAREA MARITIMA"

PHOTO BY STEVE CÓRDOVA ARTWORK BY STEPHEN BORNSTEIN

Daisy says if she could borrow Mr. Peabody's time machine she'd want to see that Harbor called "Caesarea." I mentioned yesterday how Caesarea was a "Man Made" Harbor on Israel's coastline. That guy King Herod used Roman engineering, and "Concrete;" to build it.

Hey Lord! Daisy and I would both really like see, and smell; the "Sea of Galilee" where You walked right on the water. Mr. Steve's Tour Group took a boat ride on it and then visited that "Kibbutz" I wrote about in my first book. That's where they ate "St. Peter's" Fish.

Mr. Steve and his mom thought those St. Peter's Fish were small and bony, so only ate one just to say they did it. In Israel Mr. Steve and his sisters rode those Camels at "Jericho," which I've mentioned before is one of the oldest cities in the world. Heathcliff crowed over there.

"JERICHO" ("BOOK OF JOSHUA")

ARWORK BY MARSHALL MORGAN ARTWORK BY BIBLE ART LIBRARY

If we could time travel Dais and I would also want to see when Joshua and the Israelites captured Jericho. They marched around the city playing those Ram's Horn trumpets and also carrying that "Ark of the Covenant" I've written about. Donald and Daisy are quacking.

Hey God! Daisy says a few years ago our boss met that older Jewish lady who told him in Hebrew Your name would be pronounced either "Yahweh" or "Yahveh." She also said another names for You is "Yehovah" or "Y'hovah." In the Old Testament You're also "Elohim" too.

Daisy thinks it's so amazing God, after You got mad at the ancient Jews for worshiping that golden Cow statue; how You had them wander in the "Sinai" desert for those forty years. But then under Joshua they entered the "Promised Land." To bad Moses wasn't there.

"SEA OF GALILEE"

Hey Lord! Dais and I would like to have been there when You walked on Sea of Galilee's water. We would've been like Your Apostle Peter, who trusted You enough to go out there onto the water too. Mr. Steve's Tour Group took that one Boat ride on the Sea of Galilee.

Mr. Steve and his mom one time remembered the time they walked around the area near their Hotel in "Tiberius," on the western coast of the Sea of Galilee. Hey St. Peter! I'd also like to see your house in "Capernaum," on the Sea of Galilee's north shore. Heathcliff crowed.

Dais says Mr. Steve's father remembers how, in 1985 in Italy there was high inflation. He was amused when our boss showed him a currency note from 2008, which was "Issued" by the African country of "Zimbabwe." During "Colonialism" Zimbabwe was called "Rhodesia."

1923 GERMAN NOTE 2008 ZIMBABWE NOTE

The note from Zimbabwe, because of the "Hyper Inflation" that happened there; is for one hundred trillion dollars. Daisy says it's really not worth that high amount, which is too bad because then we would be so rich. Blackbeard and Anne are flying toward the northeast.

Mr. Grant gave our boss the 1923 "Weimar" German Republic note. It became it became almost worthless after World War I. But American Banks loaned Germans money, which helped the German economy. Hitler said they were "bad loans," and he turned out to be right.

I had the idea that, since the U.S. government is printing so much money, it would be way cheaper to just give each American a million dollars. But Dais thinks it might make people lazy, and tempt the other six billion people on Earth try to break in to our country. I smell Sage.

THREE DOG NIGHT

All of a sudden I just thought about how cold it was this Winter. Daisy and Millie saw a tv show about a band called THREE DOG NIGHT, who I guess have three talented Singers to go along with a good band. Mr. Dave told our boss he thinks their Drummer is really good.

Dais heard on cold nights, for the "Body Heat;" sometimes people sleep next to one Dog. On even colder nights he or she sleeps with two Dogs around them, and when it's really, really freezing cold then three Dogs sleep with the person. And that's called a "Three Dog Night."

During this last Winter, on a really cold day; this kid named "Patrick" came over to our house. He's an Auto Mechanic and comes to your house. I guess, for a few years Patrick and a few of his friends too; were all "Firefighters who made what they call "Really good Money."

"REX" THE TRUCK

Unlike his friends who bought Boats, Jet Ski's and things like that; I guess Patrick saved his money. So, when they got "Laid Off" he used some of his money to buy a Van and tools; and is now a "Mobile" Auto Mechanic. Patrick worked on our Truck Rex when he came over.

When the recession hit in 2009 Patrick's buddies, up there near the main Highway, tried to sell Boats and things they still owed money on. Some, like Ulysses S. Grant; had to move back in with their parents. One already had a family so it was kind of embarrassing Dais heard.

Daisy heard our boss tell his father about that one kid having to move back to his parents house, and his dad said what he has often said, "Well, whatever it takes." I've mentioned before how Mr. Rick also says that too. Mr. Steve jokes that should be their gravestone "Epitaph."

BASIC WORKING OF A "CARBURETOR"

Old vehicles like Rex have this device on their motors called "Carburetor's," which mix "Fuel and Air" to make the Car run. In order to give Patrick practice in working on Cars with carburetors, Mr. Steve paid him to "Rebuild" the one on Rex. Frida and Diego flew bye.

All of a sudden, for some reason I just thought about that guy Jimi Hendrix. One time our boss and Mr. Mark talked about how, when they asked Jimi Hendrix which Guitarists he liked; he said Terry Kath of CHICAGO and ZZ TOP'S Billy Gibbons. I smell Andy over there.

Dais heard, like Jimi Hendrix;, Terry Kath died too young. This man on a tv show she and Millie saw said he accidentally shot himself with one of those handguns I've mentioned before. I guess, Jimi Hendrix told people he thought Terry Kath was a better Guitarist than he was.

TERRY KATH ZZ TOP

Over the years our boss has shown people a 1970 Video of Terry Kath's guitar solo at a place called "Tanglewood." When Mr. Dave saw it, he said he was "blown away;" especially by the "Wah Wah" pedal. Daisy says CHICAGO were playing this song called "25 or 6 to 4."

According to Dais that song 25 or 6 to 4 has "Horns" on it, which I've mentioned before is some of her favorite instruments. She really likes Bobby Keys saxophone solo on the ROLLING STONES' song "Brown Sugar." Jimi Hendrix also complimented CHICAGO's horns too.

Hawaii, where Mr. Mark, Kim and their sons Taj and Dylan live; only became a State in 1959. Mr. Steve was four then, his brother Rock only two. Like New Mexico and Arizona, it had been one of those "Territories" until then. Two of the Pigeons are flying over Libby's Corral. "HAWAII"

I've mentioned before how "Hawaii" means "homeland" in Polynesian, and how the first Polynesians arrived there in about 800 A.D. That British guy Captain James Cook visited those islands in 1778. The Revolutionary War against England was going on in that same year.

This Encyclopedia says Hawaii was a "Kingdom" from 1810 through 1893, and for many years the people had been "dedicated to warfare." Their "Koa" Warriors would die to acquire "Mana," or "spiritual power." Before the British their weapons were stone and "Koa" wood.

Hey Holy Spirit! Mana sounds kind of like You, because it's described here as being "life force;" or "life essence." The Chinese concept of "Chi" kind of sounds like Mana. It says here how Koa Warriors thought the best way to gain Mana was to "kill their enemies in war."

"MAGIC" JOHNSON LARRY BIRD

PHOTOS BY STEVE CÓRDOVA

I've mentioned before how our boss and Mr. Mark met in 1984, when they with Miss Helen worked for the different sports teams who played at the Forum. They were Salesmen, but Mr. Steve also took pictures across the street at the at the Forum too. Heathcliff crowed.

In the 1980's the Basketball Lakers, Kings Hockey and Lazer's indoor Soccer teams used purple as their primary color; with white and yellow as secondary colors. Jimi Hendrix did that song "Purple Haze." Mr. Mark likes that guy Prince, who's associated with the color purple.

Daisy heard our boss and Mr. Mark one time talk about how, in 1968 when that man Jack Kent Cooke built the Forum and owned the teams; he insisted purple be called "Forum Blue." I guess he even made the Announcers like Chick Hearn call it that. Andy's sniffing the air.

JACK KENT COOKE (1912-1997) THE "FORUM" PHOTO BY STEVE CÓRDOVA In 1978 that guy Jerry Buss bought the Forum, and Lakers and Kings; from Jack Kent Cooke. He called the team's primary color purple and, unlike Jack Kent Cooke; didn't demand the Forum be called the "Fabulous" Forum. Samson and Delilah flew over the Sheds.

Over the years Mr. Steve has met people who worked for Jack Kent Cooke, either at the Forum or from when he owned the "Daily News" Newspaper. All disliked him, and used words like "Tyrant." Mr. Steve went to Alemany High with this guy named "Tom" Dais heard.

I guess Mr. Tom, an "Award Winning" Photographer; was never complimented but says he was "loudly criticized" for small mistakes. Jack Kent Cooke said people were lazy so had to be motivated only through fear. I wonder if he ever read Machiavelli's book "The Prince?"

CHICK HEARN MIKE TYSON THE LENNON'S

PHOTOS BY STEVE CÓRDOVA

On the night at the Forum when Mr. Steve at ringside sat next to and took pictures of Mike Tyson, a "Stroh's" Boxing Tournament was going on. Up in the "Colonnade" someone yelled "Tyson" so people below turned to look. People up there began to point at Mike Tyson.

Tyson was sitting up there in what are called the "Cheap" seats. At the Forum, the lower section is the "Loge;" the "Colonnade" up above and farther away. Jerry Buss, who was three seats away from Mr. Steve; waved for "Tyson" to come down. I smell Andy over there.

Mike Tyson saw a Newspaper ad for the Forum Boxing Card. He told Mr. Steve he rode a Cab over to Inglewood, bought a ticket in the parking lot from one of those "Ticket Scalpers;" the then went inside. When he came down they put him right next to our boss I guess.

MIKE TYSON

I've written about Mr. Steve sitting next to Mike Tyson on a night when he was taking pictures of the Boxing matches. They talked and, unlike his "Image" of being so mean; Mike Tyson was a really nice person. He signed autographs but our boss prefers to shake hands.

Daisy one time explained to me what she thought a "Paparazzi" Photographer was. I've mentioned before how our boss didn't want to be considered one of those because that means you take people's picture without getting their permission. Fred, Ed and Ted just now flew bye.

Mr. Steve has taken pictures of "Celebrities," or famous people. But he always introduced himself first and asked if it was okay to take their picture. Only twice did the person say no, but he still got to shake their hand anyway. "Happily posed photos just look better" he jokes.

"HULK" HOGAN THE "IRON SHEIK"

PHOTOS BY STEVE CÓRDOVA

On that night Mr. Steve took pictures of the Wrestlers at the Forum, earlier in the evening he asked Cyndy Lauper's Manager if he could take her picture later. He said "It's up to her." I really want to see a real Wrestling match in a ring. Donald and Daisy are both quacking.

Daisy told me our boss was sitting in the dressing room tunnel at the Forum when this guy named "Jimmy" nudged him, and nodded toward the far end of the tunnel. Cyndy Lauper was standing with her Manager and a girl Wrestler. I guess that guy Jimmy said, "Go get her."

Mr. Steve stood up and walked down the tunnel. As he got closer he heard Cyndy Lauper ask her Manager, "Who's that?;" to which he responded, "He's cool." She smiled as our boss walked up to her, introduced himself in shaking her hand; and asked to take a picture.

CYNDY LAUPER

PHOTO BY STEVE CÓRDOVA

Cyndy Lauper was very friendly and posed for a picture. Mr. Steve had walked up and down that long tunnel a few times before that, but on that occasion it sure seemed a lot longer. If Cyndy Lauper had said no the walk back would've "been even longer" he told Mr. Randy.

Dais says if Cyndy Lauper had been a mean person our boss's walk back down the tunnel would have been "like a Dog with it's tail between its legs." I have a tail but Daisy doesn't so it's kind of hard to tell when she's embarrassed. The four Pigeons just flew over Libby's Corral.

Miss Harriet one time got a job working for a Magazine called "American Fitness," so got permission for Mr. Steve to go with her. They went to this West L.A. Elementary School for an event in the Gym, held by the "Governor's Council on Physical Fitness." Heathcliff crowed.

ARNOLD SCHWARTZENEGER / GOVERNOR PETE WILSON

PHOTO BY STEVE CÓRDOVA

That guy Arnold Schwartzenegger is usually an Actor, but Daisy heard in 1992 he was the head of the Governor's Council on Physical Fitness under Governor Wilson. Mr. Steve went up to him, introduced he and Miss Harriet; and shook his hand. Andy's now looking at me.

I guess Mr. Steve told Arnold Schwartzenegger why he and Miss Harriet were there, and if they could later take pictures. He said "No problem." During the event Mr. Arnold even called Governor Wilson over to pose for Mr. Steve. Mr. Steve's parents met Governor Wilson.

Dais says when our boss asked Mike Tyson if they could later take pictures up in the ring he said, "I'll take whatever pictures you want as long as you get one with me and the old man." By that he meant Jimmy Lennon Sr. who I've written about before. Heathcliff just crowed.

MIKE TYSON / THE LENNONS

PHOTO BY STEVE CÓRDOVA

As I've said before in these first two books Mr. Steve did end up taking a picture of Jimmy Lennon Sr. and Jr. with Mike Tyson. And I guess it's been published a few times. Samson and Delilah are flying over Libby's Corral and are both moving together toward the east.

Daisy heard our boss and Mr. Gary the Barber, who's a Boxing Historian; talk about how Mike Tyson knows a lot about the history of the sport too. He's even studied film of the greatest Fighters. Wow! I'd better hurry up and finish this book because it's getting harder to see.

Mr. Steve thinks, until his death, Jimmy Lennon Sr. was probably the most, famous "Ring Announcer" in Boxing history. Many people who hear his voice recognize it immediately; even if they aren't even Boxing fans according to what Dais heard one time. Heathcliff is crowing.

JIMMY LENNON JR.

PHOTO BY STEVE CÓRDOVA

I've written before how both our boss and his dad think Jimmy Lennon Jr. is a good Ring Announcer in "His own Right" as they say. But as I've said, because his father was who he was in history; he "doesn't get enough credit" Mr. Steve believes. I sure like Heathcliff's voice.

Jimmy Lennon Jr. is a good Ring Announcer too but how can he ever "Measure Up" when his father was the best in history? He's in a difficult position because his dad was what they call an "Institution." It's like being a Broadcaster with Vin Scully or Chick Hearn your dad.

To "a lesser extent" our boss tells people, he's been in Jimmy Lennon's position in that his father did all those things down there in Northeast San Fernando Valley. That one "Olive View" Hospital was going to be torn down after the 1971 Sylmar earthquake. Andy's looking at me.

"OLIVE VIEW" HOSPITAL

If it hadn't been for Mr. Steve's dad, and others like his best friend Bill Garcia and his boss the Supervisor Mike Antonovich; there would not be a Hospital in Sylmar. I just thought of that lady in San Fernando whose Dog "Alcindor" may've save her life. Dawn's now barking.

Because her Great Dane Dog was acting up on the morning of the 1971 earthquake, the lady had to call in late to work. She was a Nurse at the Olive View Hospital, and the "Wing" where she most likely would've been in fell over and some people were killed. I smell some Creosote.

I just thought about how some of the 1960's black Athletes, like Lew Alcindor for example; changed or "adopted" Muslim names. Muhammad Ali was another one. I've mentioned before how that guy Lew Alcindor is now "Kareem-Abdul-Jabbar." Leo and Cleo flew just flew bye.

LEW ALCINDOR KAREEM-ABDUL) JABBAR

One time our boss and Mr. Mark talked about the 1980's when they worked at the Forum, so got to see Kareem Jabbar play a few times. Daisy says he's really tall so plays "Center." Mr. Steve one time saw him at a Bank on Wilshire Boulevard but didn't want to bother him.

Daisy says that guy "Kareem" retired from Basketball but still at times talks on tv. He, like our boss's father; thinks September the 17th should be made one of those "National" Holidays I've written about. That's because that's the date of what they call "Constitution Day."

Our boss thinks Mr. Kareem knows, as "Flawed" as it was and still is; the Founding Fathers started an "Experiment" in people "Governing Themselves." It still could fail. He's like Mr. Steve in telling kids to learn "Math and Science" because "those are the jobs of the future."

"CONSTITUTIONAL" CONVENTION BENJAMIN FRANKLIN (PHILADELPIA /1787) (1706-1790) PAINTING BY HOWARD CHANDLER CHRISTY PAINTING BY EDMON DE HARO

I've learned in history "Authoritarianism" is the norm, not "Democracy." So some think the "U.S. Constitution" is one of the "greatest political documents ever written." In Greek the words "demos" and "kratos" mean "people" and "power" according to my Dictionary.

As I've said a few times over the last two days, after that 1787 Constitutional Convention the lady asked Ben Franklin, "So Doctor, what do we have, a republic or a monarchy?" He then said back to her, "A republic madam, if you can keep it." We're just an "Experiment."

I'm still thinking about that guy Jimmy Lennon Jr. and being the son of a famous man. Daisy says one time this man down there in Sylmar said to our boss, "If you're half the man your father is you'll do great." When he said that Mr. Steve was surprised but proud to hear it.

AS BOY JOHN LENNON (1940-1980) AUNT MIMI

Daisy says Jimmy Lennon and his father are not related to the BEATLES' John Lennon from over there in England. But they are related to the "Lennon Sister's who sang on all of those 1950's and 1960's "Lawrence Welk" Shows I've written about. It's getting kind of dark.

A tv show Daisy and Millie saw about the BEATLES said John Lennon was born in 1940, the year Nazi Germany was using Blitzkrieg tactics to conquer most of Europe. That was also year of the "Battle of Britain" and later the "Blitz." And his city of Liverpool was bombed.

I guess, the tv show said John Lennon's father left the family to go fight in World War II and for about the next twenty years John Lennon was raised by his mom and her sisters. He said they were "five strong women." But his mom was killed when she got hit by a Car Dais says.

LENNON SISTERS PALLADIUM LAWRENCE WELK

I've mentioned how some of Lawrence Welk's tv shows were filmed at the "Hollywood Palladium." And some were filmed at the round Casino out there on "Catalina" Island. Daisy says one time he and his mom remembered how the four grandparents loved that show.

Daisy says the LENNON SISTERS' voices complemented each other, their "harmonies" were like a female version of the BEE GEES she thinks. Mr. Steve still has some very pleasant memories of watching the Lawrence Welk Show with his Grandparents in New Mexico.

Mr. Steve was told the LENNON SISTERS first appearance on the Lawrence Welk Show was in 1955, the year he was born. He and his mom one time remembered how much all four of the Grandparents enjoyed the sound of an accordion. Frida and Diego are flying bye. VENICE MISS HARRIET

I guess the LENNON SISTERS were not the only Musicians in their family. Daisy says one time Miss Harriet got an assignment to review a band from "West L.A." called "VENICE, some of whose members were relatives of the LENNON SISTERS. A Train just whistled faintly.

I'm still thinking of that Boxer Mike Tyson, who a tv show described as being "ferocious." Daisy says that tv show had highlights of all the times he "swarmed over and overwhelmed his opponent like a rampaging Panzer Tank." He knocked other Fighters "Out Cold" Dais says.

Dais says Mike Tyson at times seems kind of mean, but on that one night he sat next to our boss was very friendly and nice. He had a soft handshake when, "if he'd really wanted to break your hand" he could've Mr. Steve jokes. That Train whistled again out there in the desert.

MIKE TYSON / EVANDER HOLYFIELD

(LAS VEGAS, NEVADA / JUNE 28,1997)

Dais told me the tv show talked about when Mike Tyson f ought Evander Holyfield. Most of the time in his fights Mike Tyson was not only way stronger than his opponent, but he was also faster too. But not in that fight so Mike Tyson even bit Evander Holyfield's ear. Oh wow!

Only for a million dollars would she fight Mike Tyson Dais says. When Mr. Steve's father boxed in the Marines he jokes "In Belen I was good but in the Marines not so much." In a fight one time the other Marine Boxer purposely head butted him which broke his nose I guess.

In these first two books I've mentioned how Mr. Steve's father did his "Basic Training," or "Boot Camp;" at that place "Camp Pendleton." Mr. Steve and dad have talked about the times they've visited Camp Pendleton over the years. Boy! I love smelling everything right now. "CAMP PENDLETON" ("OCEANSIDE")

Daisy thinks they call Basic Training "Boot Camp" because everyone has to wear boots to do things during that time. They also had to tell Mr. Steve's father what to do and not do when he got over to South Korea to fight in the war. The four Pigeons flew over Libby's Corral.

When Mr. Steve's father broke his nose Boxing in the Marines because his opponent cheated and fought "dirty," he "retaliated" by kicking him "In the Groin." That morning when Mr. Randy used the word "nuts" Daisy explained to me about boy Dogs and making babies.

Mr. Steve's father never got his nose fixed so, over the years; the cracks filled in with what they call "Calcium." His nose had to be rebroken in order to fix it and that was not easy but, at least now he can breathe better through his nose. Boy! It would be bad not to smell things.

MIKE TYSON

Daisy and Millie saw a good tv show about Mike Tyson and she says he usually knocks his opponents out. Our boss told Mr. Ralph he's about five feet ten or eleven, a little shorter than himself. Birds are flying toward the northeast way up there in the quickly darkening sky.

According to my outline the next thing to write about is that Boxer Rocky Marciano, who fought in the 1950's. Like Mike Tyson, he was a short, right-handed Heavyweight so fought in a "swarming" style. With short arms, both had to get "On the Inside" to land hard punches.

I wrote earlier how Mike Tyson's style was like the German "Blitzkrieg" at the start of World War II. Rocky Marciano was one of the hardest punchers in history but Mike Tyson was also faster and quicker than his opponents too. That really made him hard to beat Dais says. ROCKY MARCIANO (1923-1969) / "JERSEY" JOE WOLCOTT (1914-1994)

(PHILADELPHIA / 1952)

PHOTO BY HERB SCHARFMAN

Oh wow! No wonder Mr. Gary the Barber in San Fernando described being hit by Rocky Marciano as "going to sleep." Three images of Rocky Marciano show him landing a right hand punch on this other guy named "Jersey" Joe Walcott. His face is totally distorted by it.

Whew! That guy Jersey Joe Wolcott's contorted face sort of looks like one of those French "Gargoyles" I've mentioned before. I guess he's from the State of "New Jersey" just like Mr. Rich down there in Sylmar. Heathcliff crowed and I can hear some of his Hens cackling.

Daisy heard our boss, before the economic recession; had this customer near the town of "Brockton," Massachusetts. That's where Rocky Marciano was from, which Mr. Steve and that Parts Manager talked about a few times. The shadows are really leaning away from me.

ROCKY MARCIANO / ROLAND LA STARZA

(1953 / "POLO GROUNDS" / N.Y.C.)

A picture shows Rocky Marciano about to land a really hard punch on this guy named Roland La Starza. Mr. Rick's descendants came through "Ellis Island" right before the turn of the 20th century. So they were Italian-Americans just like Rocky Marciano's family too.

Mr. Rick's father admired and was proud of Rocky Marciano Dais heard. I guess, Roland La Starza was the only opponent Rocky Marciano ever disliked and "wanted to punish." Rocky Marciano really didn't like arrogance, and thought Roland La Starza "talked too much."

This Encyclopedia says Rocky Marciano "injured the bones, muscles and nerves" in both of Roland La Starza's arms. He blocked so many punches his arms got "heavy" and he couldn't hold them up. That's when he Rocky Marciano "destroyed him" as Mr. Gary said one time.

HIGH DESERT SUNSET

It's getting darker and darker but I'm getting closer to the end of this book two outline. I still have more to write about Rocky Marciano. Daisy says the tv show about Mike Tyson said Rocky Marciano in 1951 fought that guy Joe Louis one time. Finley and Fanny flew bye.

One time our boss and Mr. Gary talked about Rocky Marciano totally knocking out Joe Louis. Daisy told me how the man on the tv show described Joe Louis in 1951 as being "past his prime," and "washed up;" but he really "needed the money." The shadows are longer now.

Losing to Rocky Marciano turned out to be Joe Louis's final fight of his career. He later said he had never faced anyone who "hit so hard." Rocky Marciano felt bad having to knock him out, even crying afterwar but Joe Louis told him not to feel bad about "doing his job."

ROCKY MARCIANO / JOE LOUIS

(1951 / "MADISON SQUAR GARDENS" / N.Y.C.)

Three pictures show Rocky Marciano throwing punches at Joe Louis. In the first one you can see how Rocky Marciano is about to deliver a hard right hand on an obviously already hurt and stunned Joe Louis. Ah! Max and 99 just now zoomed bye right in front of the Sheds.

Joe Louis, who I'll learn a lot more about tomorrow; was one of the greatest Heavyweight champions in history during the 1930's Great Depression years. In World War II he was in the Army. He donated money and even held "Exhibition's to raise money for the "War Effort."

Gary the Barber said Joe Louis "donated" his what they call "Purses" to the Government during the Second World War. Daisy told me that just means his pay. Tomorrow I'll learn more about his two world famous fights against this one German Boxer named Max Schmeling.

LOUIS / SCHMELING (1938) HENRY ARMSTRONG (1912-1988)

Mr. Steve's father, Gary the Barber and also Mr. Ralph think one reason that Mike Tyson dominated the Heavyweight Division for so long was he "Idolized" Henry Armstrong. During the 1930's, "Simultaneously;" held three world titles. That means three "Weight Divisions."

Henry Armstrong fought in what Mr. Gary called a "swarming" style, the way Mike Tyson did. Because he was "as strong or stronger" than his opponents, but also "faster and quicker" too; Boxers who faced Mike Tyson were "at a disadvantage." It was like a "Blitzkrieg."

Dais heard Mr. Ralph say one time he thought Mike Tyson was a "bigger version" of Henry Armstrong, "but with crushing and devastating power." Two Pigeons flew bye, which reminds me of how Mike Tyson raises Pigeons. Boy! Thank You so much God for making Pigeons.

MIKE TYSON (PIGEONS)

Mike Tyson was a "Juvenile Delinquent" as a kid growing up in New York City, and did some bad things Dais heard. Mr. Steve met a "Belgian" man who told him one time some bigger kids killed Mike Tyson's Pigeons in front of him. Oh! I'll bet that made him really angry.

Mr. Ralph heard Mike Tyson, to "keep him out of trouble;" was taken out of N.Y.C. and put to work learning to be a Boxer. Daisy heard his "Trainer" was this one old man named Cus D'Amato, who I guess taught him what to do. Some Robins are singing out in the desert.

A "big advantage" Mike Tyson had was, his "Manager" Jim Jacobs owned a collection of Boxing films Mr. Gary said. So after training during the day Mike Tyson could study the films at night. There were "very few" fighters back then who were "so fortunate" Mr. Ralph said.

CUS D'AMAOT / JIM JACOBS / MIKE TYSON

I guess, from what Dais heard Mr. Gary say one time; that man Cus D'Amato was "like a father" to Mike Tyson in the early 1980's; when he was just a teenager. Mike Tyson became the youngest Heavyweight Champion in history. Hearing those Robins makes me feel good.

The Belgian man was from "Queens," where our boss and his brother Rock stayed back in 1977. He said since the 1950's his family have done "Pigeon-Keeping" up on the roof of the place they lived. Being around Pigeons is "therapeutic" according to what Dais heard him say.

But now, because of that "Gentrification" process I've talked about, the Belgian man said there are "fewer and fewer" people in N.Y.C. able to raise Pigeons on roof tops in "Coop" cages. It takes a "lot of work" to raise Pigeons he said but "it's worth it. A Train whistled faintly.

"ON THE WATERFRONT" MARLON BRANDO "THE GODFATHER"

Daisy and Millie saw this old 1950's movie called "On the Waterfront," where that guy Marlon Brando played an ex-Boxer who raises Pigeons in N.Y.C. I've mentioned before how he also played the Godfather in the movie. I just thought of that guy Machiavelli right now.

The Belgian man said sometimes your Pigeons come home from flying around and bring back other Pigeons called "Strays," and the rule is you get to keep the new Pigeons. He told our boss his father really liked that old movie On the Waterfront. I like smelling the Twins.

I guess one time Marlon Brando called Mr. Steve's dad to talk about using Vitamin "B-1 Thiamine" as an "Insect Repellent." According to what Dais heard, Marlon Brando owned his own island way out there in the "South Pacific." Boy! He must've really been so rich!

JACK, MANNY, MOE

I'm looking at the Sheds and, as I've mentioned a few times; can see how they're raised off the ground a few feet. In case of a “Flash Flood” they're elevated, and our Chief told Mr. Randy he hopes we don't a flood because insurance "doesn't cover it." The Twins smell so good.

Daisy and I love when Jackrabbits or Quail run under the Sheds, as then our fun game of "Cat and Mouse" begins. I circle round and round barking, to “flush” them out so we can chase them. Ah! A nice cool evening breeze came in from the desert and is making the chimes ring.

Standing off to the side, Daisy hopes I can get whoever's under the Shed “Make a Break” for it. When younger, Daisy liked to dig for Gophers and Ground Squirrels; but now tries to save energy for more important things. Hey Holy Spirit! I hope it's You I feel inside of me now.

BADGER-COYOTE "COOPERATING" TOGETHER

Over the last three days I've talked about "Symbiotic" relationships which are "Mutually Beneficial." And the one which seemed to have impressed our boss was how sometimes Badgers will work as a team with a Coyote so they can both eat. Dawn's barking and I smell Blinky.

Mr. Steve joked with Mr. Randy one time how Daisy looked like a Badger that final time she dug. Dirt was flying out like a stream and she became even more determined to dig the more she did it. Mr. Steve came out yelling "Bad Daisy!" because she was digging near Moe.

Daisy still has strong legs, and I should know because I'm the one who wrestles with her. That's why I really do think we should try to find that gold mine up on the mountain behind the Post Office and maybe we could help did it out. Boy! Blinky has such an attractive scent.

LANDSLIDE BEHIND POST OFFICE PIÑON HILLS POST OFFICE

Boy! What if it turns out all the rumors of the Franciscan Priests hiding the gold mine by creating that landslide are true? Daisy might be able find it if she could smell gold first and our boss does have some gold coins. I'd help her too because it would be so worth it for us all.

Oh! Maybe our boss could even hire that man who told him he has a "Backhoe" Tractor. It would help him because he has a wife and two kids but said he hasn't had enough work lately. That one Dragonfly zoomed bye and I heard it coming from the direction of Libby's Corral.

It's an impressive thing to see Daisy dig! Dirt flies out behind her in a steady and powerful stream which our boss told Mr. Randy looked like “sawdust flying from a Buzzsaw.” Once I saw how mad Mr. Steve got at Daisy I really don't want to dig holes down into the dirt anymore.

RHINOCEROUS

I just thought of how, after she finishes going to the bathroom; Daisy has the habit of then kicking dirt backward with her hind legs. I guess African Rhinocerous do that, as does Cher the Cat too. I might start doing that too because more and more it seems like a good idea.

Daisy pointed out to me that time how Mr. Grant's blind Dog Miggie also tried to cover up where she went to the bathroom. Everyone is weird in some ways, and Daisy admits most Dogs want to "broadcast" and "advertise" you're in someone's "territory." Heathcliff crowed.

I remember when Daisy told me she and I are lucky because we don't need to "mark" our land as much as other things do. We have our great fence around our two acres which will tell strangers you're going into someone's area. Heathcliff's Hens are clucking over there.

DAISY CÓRDOVA

Also like a Rhinoceros, Daisy's near-sighted so squints a lot; but her good hearing more than makes up for it. Like a Rhinoceros, if Daisy picks up a scent she doesn't recognize and one ear tilts forward; you better start running. Daisy taught me about staying “Down Wind.”

That last time she felt like Digging Daisy was determined to dig out that Gopher. She was making a tunnel and didn't notice she was "Undermining " Moe so, by the time our boss saw it she had already "excavated" a big hole. He caught her in the “Nick of Time” as they say.

Daisy had so focused on digging and got “Carried Away” and the way she almost seemed to be in one of those "Altered States" surprised me. I had never seen her do something like that. Ah! A nice breeze just brought in the scent of the Twin Joshua trees and is ringing the chimes.

SYSTEM OF A DOWN

One time our boss and Mr. Dave talked about that good Hard Rock Armenian band from "Glendale" SYSTEM OF A DOWN. Mr. Steve told him when he lived down there in Sylmar he always hired "H&R Block" to prepare his taxes. Boy! It's getting darker and darker now.

Dais heard an Armenian man named "Ara" worked on our boss's taxes. He also lived in Glendale. In the 1980's and early 1990's Mr. Steve and Miss Harriet got "1099" forms from the Magazines they worked for. Dais says that means they were "Independent Contractors."

Because he thought Mr. Steve knew about music in the mid-1990's Mr. Ara, who was an older man; gave him a cassette tape of SYSTEM OF A DOWN and asked him his opinion of it. Mr. Steve later told him he thought S.O.A.D. "were really good." I can smell Arborvitae.

WORLD WAR I

("ARMENIAN GENOCIDE" / 1915-1916)

All of a sudden I just thought about the "Armenian Genocide" that happened during the First Word War. A picture in my Encyclopedia shows two Turkish Soldiers standing in what the caption calls "unburied Armenians." Oh! I wonder if any Animals ate those Armenians?

SYSTEM OF A DOWN try to "bring attention to" the Armenian Genocide from what Mr. Dave and our boss talked about one time. I've mentioned how S.O.A.D.'S Singer went to College at "Cal State Northridge" like Mr. Steve's family. Boy! I hope there's never a Dog genocide.

In the mid-1980's when he worked for the "San Fernando Sun," that lady Miss Thelma had our boss use a "Press Release" to write a short story. If Miss Harriet had been in the office she might've done it but no Writers were there. Miss Thelma knew Mr. Steve could do it.

SYSTEM OF A DOWN

The story Mr. Steve wrote for Miss Thelma was to announce the opening of an "Assisted Living Facility" in Mission Hills. It's near Alemany's old campus; and above the "Holy Cross" Hospital. It's for Armenians and S.O.A.D.'S Singer's father is there Daisy and Millie heard.

Dais says one time this girl Mr. Steve knew, who worked at that Armenian "Retirement Home;" called and asked, "Who is SYSTEM OF A DOWN? He told her so she said S.O.A.D.'S dad lived there. A flock of Birds way up there in the darkening sky is moving toward the east.

Mr. Rich, who plays guitar; was told S.O.A.D.'S Guitarist was influenced by SLAYER'S Thrash Metal. Our boss thinks at times S.O.A.D. sound to him like "Middle Eastern" influenced Hard Rock, and has wondered if they liked "Cat" Stevens? Arborvitae smells so good.

"THE BLUES BROTHERS" (1981)

I kind of laugh when I think about how focused Daisy was that time trying to dig out that Gopher. She and Millie saw a funny movie where these two brothers try to raise money for their Orphanage so it won't close. Hey God! They even said they were "on a mission" for You.

The way Dais was furiously digging that time it almost seemed like she was on mission to get that Gopher. Daisy heard Mr. Steve's brother Rock in Texas, at a photography event; met Dan Akroyd who was one of the Actors in the "Blues Brothers." Heathcliff just crowed.

When Daisy was tunneling it was like she was in one of those "Spells." One time our boss and Mr. Rich talked about S.O.A.D.'S albums "Hypnotized" and "Mesmerized," which is how Daisy was acting. Mr. Steve joked with his mom about her trying to dig her way to China.

"THE BLUES BROTHERS"

Someday I really want to see that movie The Blues Brothers. Daisy says it's mainly about how the two brothers who dress the same "Reform" an old band they used to be in to help their Catholic Orphanage. But along the way they get people mad at them, like Nazi's in Chicago.

Mr. Steve's father thought it was funny in The Blues Brothers when this Nightclub owner says, "We play every kind of music here, Country and Western." Daisy says the two brothers are able to convince their old Musicians to make another band again. Heathcliff crowed.

In The Blues Brothers the Catholic Nun who ran the Orphanage was nice. But Dais says she hit the brothers with a long pointer if they joked around. Our boss and Mr. Rick remember how at St. Ferdinand's and then Alemany High "Corporal" punishment was still allowed.

BOOKER T & THE MG'S

I've mentioned before how Mr. Steve likes that band BOOKER T & THE MG'S, and so does Mr. Mark too I guess. Daisy heard them talking about The Blues Brothers movie, and how two Musicians in the band were in BOOKER T & THE MG'S. I like Heathcliff's voice.

Our boss and Mr. Mark both like Booker T's organ playing on "Time is Tight." I want to someday hear their song about the green onions, which Daisy told me Millie liked. Heathcliff's Hens are cackling and sound happy, probably because it's a new year. Thank Everyone!

When Dais was digging that time I stood there in total amazement, as I couldn't believe what I was seeing. Somehow, I had this bad feeling in the pit of my stomach that our boss would not be happy; and I was right. He came out here and kept on saying, “Bad Daisy! Bad Daisy!”

HIGH DESERT SUNSET

Hey God! Like Daisy, I sometimes prefer to believe "Everything happens for a Reason" as they say. That way we can more easily accept life's difficulties and "Ups and Downs." Sister Rita Joseph used to tell her class about life's many "peaks and valleys" and "highs and lows."

As our boss used his favorite shovel with the turquoise duct tape to in fill Daisy's tunnel near the Shed he scolded her and gave her one of those “Tongue Lashings!” Now, both Daisy and I know for sure that it's “verboten” (German for “forbidden”) to dig near the three Sheds.

But, that doesn't mean we can't still play our game; when something tries to hide from us under one of the Sheds. I just love our game and feel so fortunate to have Daisy around to be my friend and Teacher. Together we make a good team in guarding these fenced in two acres.

CHIEF TECUMSEH (c. 1768-1813)

PAINTING BY W.B. TURNER

Dais and Millie saw a tv show where the man said that guy Chief Tecumseh once said, “A single twig breaks, but the bundle of twigs is stronger!” Daisy and I are like a bundle of two. As she says, if we "fight smart;" we can hold off any invaders until our Chief can take over.

I just thought about how in Sun Tzu's old book "The Art of War" he says one had to try to "take advantage of your strengths while lessening your weaknesses." In other words our boss says, you have to "Know Thyself" as it said up on the wall at Delphi. A Train whistled.

Mr. Steve and his father think one reason the U.S. lost the Vietnam War, which Mr. Steve almost had to fight in; was because of that smart North Vietnamese General Yõ Nguyên Giáp who I've mentioned. He read Sun Tzu. He knew the strengths and weaknesses of both sides.

YÕ NGUYÊN GIÁP (1911-2013)

General Giáp knew the North Vietnamese and "Viet Cong" could not beat the U.S. in a "conventional" war; so fought a smart "Hit and Run Guerilla" wars instead. He knew Sun Tzu wrote, "All warfare is based on deception." A small flock of Birds is flying to the east.

You might say General Giap was, "given lemons so made lemonade;" or "played the hand he was dealt" as Mr. Steve's father might say. I've mentioned how "Guerrilla" comes from the Spanish word "guerra" or "war." It was first used in Spain when Napoléon invaded.

I guess those early 19th century Spanish guerrilla fighters used hit and run tactics and never met the French in a "Set Piece" land battle. And, like in the Vietnam War a century later; my Encyclopedia says they "frustrated and outlasted" Napoléon. It was a "War of Attrition."

"HOOT" OWL

With it now getting darker and me hearing Dawn over there barking, for some reason I just thought about the first time I ever saw one of those Owls who live around here. Actually, I heard them when I was homeless but never saw one until last Summer. I really like Dawn.

I remember that night when I was out here sleeping on Elvira, and Dais was in the house sleeping next to our boss's bed. All of a sudden, seemingly out of nowhere; this big Owl came in and landed on the Patio floor. It totally scared me and I "Jumped a Mile" as they say.

When I barked the Owl flew away and over top of the Sheds, and a minute later Daisy and Mr. Steve came out into the Patio. But I got a good look at the Owl because the Moon was almost full that night. Daisy says one time a baby Owl accidentally got stuck inside of our garage. BROWN DESERT BAT

I always have to stay alert just in case Daisy calls on me, because you never know when something might come up. I remember that one night when I smelled an unfamiliar odor, and it turned out to be that big, ugly, brown Bat. It had pointy teeth sticking out and screeched!

On that night I actually smelled the Bat in my sleep, but woke up fast. When I looked up from Elvira and saw that Bat near the Patio roof I almost had a heart attack, but stayed calm; and just barked for backup. Daisy was proud of me for not panicking but I was scared.

Mr. Steve came out here and used his flashlight to make the Bat fly away. He "felt sorry" for the Bat because it was "gray and thin" like Rosie, which "probably" meant it "couldn't find enough food." I was so amazed the first time our boss turned on the Patio lights out here.

"RADAR"

Mentioning Bats makes me think about "Radar" being used in 1940 during the "Battle of Britain." That was when the British were able to prevent Hitler from actually invading England and taking over. Heathcliff just crowed and his voice makes me feel so grateful to be alive.

Boy! Dais is right in thinking it's so amazing how Bats evolved to have their own personal radar systems. But they send out sound waves instead of electrical impulses or things like that. Oh! Blackbeard is chasing a boy Crow and Anne is trailing behind them but yelling loud too.

I've said a few times how, by feeling the reflected sound a Bat can tell how far ahead, and how big something is to its front. Mr. Dave read South American Bats can even pick up sounds plants make, and Bats intercept flying Bugs to eat in total darkness. It's getting darker now.

DANIEL KISH

Oh! I just remembered that I forgot to write about this man named Daniel Kish earlier today when I first talked about Radar. Daisy says a lady told our boss he's from down there in Los Angeles and is totally blind. I can smell the Arborvitae bush's just to my left front.

The lady told Mr. Steve that guy Daniel Kish had his eyes removed as a baby because of cancer. As a toddler he climbed out of his crib and crawled around exploring his family's back yard. Mr. Steve's brother Rock used to climb out of his crib too from what Daisy heard.

I guess Daniel Kish, like a Bat or Radar or Sonar; gets around by making clicking sounds which reflects back to him. He uses what's called "Echo Location" or "Sensory Substitution" to "see through his ears" the lady said. He even rides a bike and draws correctly what he feels.

SUNFLOWERS NEW MEXICO SPRING FLOWERS

PHOTO BY DAVE KOZIOL

Daisy and Millie heard our boss and Mr. Dave talking about how Bats are like Humming Birds and Bees in having "Symbiotic," or "Mutually Beneficial;" relationships with flowers. Mr. Dave takes pictures of the Spring flowers. He likes Mr. Steve's Mission photos of flowers.

Bats, Hummingbirds and Bees fly in and eat flower "Nectar," and "Pollen" then sticks to their bodies. When they go over to another flower the pollen on them then gets deposited on the second flower, which allows them to have baby flowers. Daisy's good at explaining things.

Mr. Steve's father met a man who told him, during World War II; he U.S. considered using Bats "fitted with delayed reaction incendiary charges." I guess, the Japanese houses were made of wood. The Bats would "Roost" in them and burn when the charges were "ignited" he said.

B-29 "SUPER FORTRESS" TOKYO "FIRE" BOMBED

(MARCH 9, 10,1945)

That man told Mr. Steve's father "Bat Bombs" were never used because those big B-29 Bombers "came on line." So, that allowed the Americans to just bomb Japan with "Fire Bombs" instead. Oh wow! A good painting of the burning city of "Tokyo" shows what happened.

My Encyclopedia says, on the night of March 9 and 10; Tokyo was "firebombed" in the "single most destructive bombing raid in all of human history." Boy! Looking at the painting makes me feel so grateful we're not in a war here in Piñon Hills. That would be so bad!

Over a "sixteen square mile" area of Tokyo one hundred thousand people were killed, with more than a million "made homeless." Wow! That's even more than later in 1945 when those two Nuclear bombs were dropped. Heathcliff crowed and I hear his Hens cackling happily.

GRANDMA / GRANDPA TRUJILLO

Writing about Bats is making me think of that "Halloween" holiday, which Grandma Trujillo was born on. I'm really looking forward to the day when I can hear that "Shock Rock" music I've written about before. Daisy thinks I'd like that Christian guy Alice Cooper.

One time our boss and Mr. Rich talked about Shock Rock bands, and how they rely on what's called "Theatrical Pomposity." Some of the Musicians are more "Entertainers" who use a scary "Personal Persona" to shock people. Two Crows are fighting behind the Sheds.

Daisy told me about this one band called SLIPKNOT who all wear scary Halloween-like costumes in their concerts. Our boss and Mr. Rich discussed how SLIPKNOT use a lot of drums and percussion in some of their songs. A Train just whistled faintly over there to my left.

SLIPKNOT "SOUND CITY" GWAR

Our boss and Mr. Rich talked about how SLIPKNOT made an album at that Van Nuys Recording Studio I've written about called "Sound City." That's where Ronnie James Dio, Tom Petty and NIRVANA made albums too. The two Crows are really yelling at each other now.

In the late 1980's Mr. Steve saw another Shock Rock or "Horror" band called GWAR at the "Hollywood Palladium." He told Mr. Rich his friend "Tom," who went with him; thought their music was "okay" but the costumes seemed "too corny." Darn! A Fly just went bye.

So far in the first two days of this year there are few Flies, which is great because of how much Daisy and I hate them. Someday I'll hear that Alice Cooper song Mr. Steve likes "Halo of Flies." Dais says it also has "time and dynamic" changes like GENESIS'S "Musical Box." ALICE COOPER BAND WHITE ZOMBIE

Mr. Rich, from "New Jersey" and DRAGPIPE'S Guitarist; knows about a New York City group called WHITE ZOMBIE who's Singer is Rob Zombie. Mr. Rich describes their songs as "Groove Metal." Zombies are dead who come to life and the band does look like that I guess.

Before the economic recession Mr. Dave had a Motorcycle Shop customer who was from that country of "Haiti." He used terms like "living dead" and "walking corpse" to describe how in "Voodoo" magic you can "reanimate" a dead person. Oh wow! That would be so scary!

Dais says Mr. Dave likes 1950's "Zombie" movies. Boy! I wonder if there really is such a thing as a Zombie because, Daisy says if it's true and they attacked our land our bites wouldn't even hurt them as they can feel no pain. Jimi Hendrix has a song about Voodoo I guess.

DRACULA ZOMBIE

According to what Mr. Dave said, that band WHITE ZOMBIE got its name from a 1932 Bela Lugosi Horror movie. I've mentioned before how that guy Bela Lugosi is famous for being "Dracula," who can turn into a Bat whenever he wants. Mr. Steve's dad was born in 1932.

Mr. Dave told our boss that 1932 movie is now considered to be the "first zombie movie." His Motorcycle Shop customer from Haiti knew a lot about those 1950's movies, which Mr. Steve says he "never really cared for that much." He prefers Horror movies from the 1930's.

I feel a lot more courageous with Daisy next to me. If it turns out Zombies are real and we have to fight them I know Daisy would say to "take each other's back," like the ancient Greeks used to do in combat. I've mentioned before how the Greek Soldiers were called "Hoplites."

MR. PHILLIP THE ZOMBIES

Daisy heard our boss talking to Mr. Phillip about this 1960's band they liked called the ZOMBIES, which Mr. Phillip described as "psychedelic pop." Mr. Dave said that they're song "She's Not There" has "jazzy elements." They don't look at all like Zombies Daisy told me.

Mr. Phillip was living back in Wales in 1964, when that ZOMBIES song She' Not There came out. A few years ago Dais says Mr. Steve met a lady who told him the singing on that song is done in a "folksy close harmony" style. I can smell Bonnie and Clyde's babies up there.

Daisy likes the 1968 ZOMBIE'S song "Time of the Season," and heard Mr. Phillip say the "breathing percussion sound" reminds him of PINK FLOYD of that period. Dais likes the bass and says that lady mentioned its "call and response" vocals. Mr. Steve was thirteen in 1968.

"SCREAMING LORD" SUTCH (1940-1999)

When I earlier wrote about Shock Rock I forgot to mention this guy from England called "Screaming Lord Sutch." I guess, he had a "Horror-Themed" band in the early 1960's; even before those other guys Arthur Brown and Alice Cooper. It's getting darker and darker.

Mr. Dave heard "Lord Sutch," who not only was a Singer but also a Politician too; ended up killing himself like Ernest Hemingway and Kurt Cobaine. Guitarists like Ritchie Blackmore, Jimmy Page and Jeff Beck played in his band the SAVAGES. Two Crows are fighting.

Noel Redding and Mitch Mitchell, later in Jimi Hendrix's band; played in the SAVAGES. And so did Drummers Charlie Watts, Keith Moon and John Bonham too. I've mentioned before how that one guy Mitch Mitchell and our boss Mr. Steve were both born on July the 9th. "SCREAMING" JAY HAWKINS "SPINAL TAP"

Mr. Dave and our boss talked about the 1950's "Screaming" Jay Hawkins, and wondered if Lord Sutch was influenced by him? I guess, one time Lord Sutch got stuck inside of a coffin he was supposed to emerge from when the lid somehow got stuck shut. Heathcliff crowed.

Daisy says Mr. Dave mentioned that funny movie "Spinal Tap," and he and our boss both laughed at what he called Lord Sutch's "technical difficulties." I can't wait to someday see that movie Spinal Tap just because Mr. Steve thinks it's so funny. And so does Mr. Dave too.

According to what Mr. Dave said, in 1963 when our boss was eight; Lord Sutch had a song about that one guy "Jack the Ripper." It was "covered" by that other band WHITE STRIPES. I've mentioned a few times before how Jack White was born on July the 9th like our boss.

HIGH DESERT SUNSET

There are some Finches chirping out in the desert. That makes me think about how Mr. Dave told our boss in Taos near he and Miss Julianne's house there's a flock of Finches who go to the top of a tall tree to "perch." It's getting darker but there's still a little bit of sunlight left.

I remember that morning last Summer when Mr. Randy said a group of Finches "roost" on a power line near he and his mom's house. In looking at my book two outline I can see I only have a few things more to write about today in this second book. Heathcliff crowed again.

Over the last two days I've talked about how, back in ancient Greece people lived in those independent country-like "City-States." So, both Athens and Sparta were similar to the later City-States in 16th century Renaissance Italy; like Rome and Florence. I can smell Andy.

LEONARD DA VINCI (1452-1519) ROTATING TURRET TANK

ARTWORK BY LEONARDO DA VINCI

All of a sudden I just thought about that guy Leonardo da Vinci and how, even though he was a good Painter; he was also a designer of futuristic weapons to kill people. He worked for a few Italian "Patrons," and later the French King Francis I. Andy's looking in this direction.

I've mentioned a few times how in the 1500's Italian City-States had their own armies and fought each other all the time. It was the same in ancient Greece at the time of Socrates, Plato and Aristotle, when Sparta used to fight Athens. Heathcliff crowed and his Hens are clucking.

Ancient Athens is where the idea of "Democracy" started, even though females had few rights and Athenians "held" Slaves. Boy! I really wonder if we, as "Pets;" would be considered Slaves? A lot of Birds are zooming around out in the back desert looking for their dinner.

"SPARTAN" WARRIORS

ARTWORK BY PETER CONNOLLY

While ancient Athens was more democratic, Sparta "on the other hand," was what this Encyclopedia calls a "Warrior Culture." From the time a Spartan boy was born he was raised to be a tough Warrior. I can smell Bravo Company out there in the field behind the Sheds.

Daisy and Millie saw this good tv show which said, when a Spartan baby was born it was "thoroughly examined;" and if there were any deformities they were killed. This was especially true for males. "In effect" our boss told Miss Susan at work, "children belonged to" Sparta.

It says here, "from infancy until the age of seven" a Spartan boy lived with his mom. But it was thought the "softening female influence" was bad for raising a strong Warrior, so love was totally "discouraged." I guess, the word "spartan" has now come to mean "simple living."

SPARTAN WARRIORS

ARTWORK BY HISTORY SKILLS

The tv show said "Spartan" is associated with "self-denial" and "discipline, traits of the Spartan Warriors. From seven through twenty Spartan boys lived a "harsh and rigorous" life of training. I noticed how Mr. Steve has a miniature metal Hoplite helmet in the living room.

I guess Spartan boys learned to fight with "weapons or fists," had to "endure pain;" and be able to "survive on his wits" as it says here. Spartan girls also were expected to be tough too Dais says. Boys went barefoot to condition their feet for pain, and the older boys beat them.

The German Nazis were going to do what the ancient Greek Spartans did in "Breeding" generations of Warriors. They wanted a "balance" of "active aggression" with "voluntary self restraint." Boy! Thank You God for all of the Spring evening things I'm smelling right now.

SPARTAN MOTHER

PAINTING BY JEAN-JACQUES-FRANCOIS LE BARBIER

I wrote yesterday how in Sparta when a mother "sent her son off to war" she handed him his shield saying, "E tan e epi tas;" Greek for "With this shield or on it." Dais heard Mr. Steve's mom knows about this painting of that in my Encyclopedia. Fred, Ed and Ted flew bye.

Dais says the Spartan mother was letting her son know, if he won the battle then he could came back holding his shield proudly. But, if they lost the big battle; he was "expected to die" so his body would come back carried on it. In a way it was that old saying "Kill or be Killed."

The man on the tv show said, had Hitler's Nazi's won World War II; they intended to try to "emulate" the Spartans in "breeding generations of warriors." But thank goodness Dais thinks, they lost so that never happened. I see Andy over there scanning around and sniffing the air.

"HITLERJUGEND"

The tv show talked about those German boys in the 1930's who were like our Boy Scouts. But the "Hitler Youth, or "Hitlerjugend;" were trained for warfare. A picture shows two of them carrying those "Panzerfaust" rocket launchers in 1945 while defending the city of Berlin.

I'm looking at the last photo of Adolph Hitler, which shows him encouraging a boy in the Hitler Youth. The Russians were "closing in on" Berlin, and that boy was going to "willingly if necessary give up his life for his Führer." Samson and Delilah are flying toward the east.

Dais told me the man on the tv show compared the Spartans to later Japanese "Samurai" Warriors, and also the 19th century "Lakota" Sioux Horsemen. All Warriors had to "live by" one of those strict "Codes of Conduct" I've written about. It's getting dimmer and dimmer.

"LAKOTA" "SAMURAI"

PAINTING BY BOB CORONATO

It says here "loyalty to ones comrades in combat" was one of the most important things for all the Spartan, Samurai and Lakota Warriors. I've written about that Japanese "Bushido" code over the last two days. Bravo Company's scent just floated in on a nice evening breeze.

According to what the tv show said, Spartan, Samurai and Lakota Warriors had three things they believed in. The first, like Viking Warriors going up to "Valhalla;" was wanting to die in a way which "brought honor." Heathcliff crowed over there and I hear his girls.

Spartan, Samurai and Lakota Warriors thought the "highest duty" was to "protect their people," and the best way to survive combat was to "train and condition well" before the battle was even fought. Dais heard Mr. Ralph say "good sports coaches" tell their teams that too.

FV103 "SPARTAN"

PHOTO BY MILITARY TODAY.COM

Mr. Steve met an English man who knew about ancient Greece, and had read things by that lady Edith Hamilton. He said the name "Spartan" has been used over the years for a few different vehicles. And one is a military "armored personnel carrier" called the "FV103."

Daisy heard our boss tell his father the man from England said the FV103 is one of those "Tracked" vehicles I've written about. One time he and Miss Babette at work talked about how there are a few U.S. cities called "Sparta," a customer of hers being one. I smell Mesquite.

That man said the FV103, which can be "refitted" in an "anti-tank" version; holds seven so is used to "deliver" some of those "Special Forces." The Spartan has been used since 1978, and I guess in 2009 it was improved a lot. Mr. Steve was in College at C.S.U.N. in 1978.

MR. PEABODY / SHERMAN "BATTLE OF THERMOPYLAE (480 B.C.)

Dais thinks, if our boss could borrow Mr. Peabody's time machine; he'd go back to see the "Battle of Thermopylae." That was when those three hundred Spartans under "Leonidas," and their allies; died blocking that narrow mountain pass from the Persians. Heathcliff crowed.

The Spartan Soldiers gave up their lives to gain time or "Breathing Space" for the Greek City-States behind them. They "bought" three days for those they protected to "mobilize," but "In the End" were killed. But they "Went down Fighting" and killed a lot of Persians too.

If there's ever an invader into our two fenced in two acres Dais and I will have to be brave like those three hundred Spartans, who held up and delayed the huge Persian army under that other guy King Xerxes. Boy! Hearing Heathcliff's Hens right now is making me feel so good.

"THE THREE HUNDRED SPARTANS" "300 SPARTANS" (1962) (2006)

Daisy and Millie heard our boss talking with Mr. Dave about the Battle of Thermopylae, and how there have been a few movies made about what happened in 480 B.C. One was from 1962 where they wore "inauthentic" Roman helmets Mr. Steve noticed. Heathcliff crowed.

A few years ago Mr. Steve bought, and then resold; a sword just like the ones the Spartans used. It was only one of those replicas but still was "really nice" he told Mr. Dave one time. If it weren't "too expensive" Mr. Steve would buy a Greek or Roman Shield Dais heard him say.

From what Daisy's heard, back in 480 B.C. a Greek man showed the Persians a way to get behind the three hundred Spartans at Thermopylae. Mr. Steve's father, who likes to play Chess; said they were "flanked into checkmate." The Spartans just decided to die together I guess.

LANDING IN MEXICO HERNAN CÓRTEZ MEETING MONTEZUMA (1485-1547)

All of a sudden I just thought of that guy Hernan Córtez who conquered the Aztecs in the early 16th century. I've mentioned how, when he and his Spanish Soldiers arrived on Mexico's east coast back in 1519; he sank all of his Ships. Oh! Dawn's doing her sad howl over there.

Córtez did not want any of his men to change their mind about what they were about to do so, in a way it was like the Spartans at Thermopylae. In effect Daisy says, he was telling those Conquistadores that there was "no turning back." I can smell Dawn, Blinky and Rosie.

I've written before how, in 1836 at the "Battle of the Alamo;" William Barrett Travis said it was "Victory of Death." And back in 49 B.C. Julius Caesar told his Roman Soldiers they would cross that "Rubicon" River so the "Die was Cast." That made him one of those "Rogues."

2014 NISSAN "ROGUE"

I just thought of that Car called a "Rogue," which Daisy heard is made by that Japanese company. This Encyclopedia says in 1519 the Cuban Governor gave Córtez only permission to "Explore," but he ignored that order. That's another reason why he sank all of his Ships.

Córtez was a rogue in "going beyond" what he was legally entitled to do, but he ended up conquering the whole Aztec Empire. My Dictionary defines a "rogue" as being, "A scoundrel or mischievous fellow." Oh! Rudy just jogged bye holding a dead Garter Snake in his mouth.

During the American Revolutionary in 1776 War George Washington said it was "victory or death" at the "Battle of Trenton." He took a gamble crossing a River in Winter, but caught those German mercenary Soldiers totally by surprise. Oh! Dawn's sad howling over there.

"BATTLE OF TRENTON" "BATTLE OF THE ALAMO"

(1776 / CROSSING "DELAWARE" RIVER) (MARCH 6, 1836 / FINAL ASSAULT)

PAINTING BY EMANUEL LEUTZE

I'm looking at that one famous painting of George Washington and his men crossing the Delaware River back in 1776. You can really tell it's freezing cold. Daisy and Millie heard Mr. Steve tell Miss Babette his parents, when visiting New York City; have seen that painting.

Texas broke away from Mexico in 1836, to become its own country for nine years. But the "Texians" under William Barret Travis, Jim Bowie and Davy Crockett were all killed by that guy Santa Anna at the "Alamo" to pay for that independence. Two of the Pigeons flew bye.

Someday I really want to see that 1960 John Wayne movie about the Alamo. It's one of our boss's favorite movies I guess. Daisy heard Mr. Steve and his mom talk about when Uncle Marty and Aunt Josephine's family lived for a time in "San Antonio," where the Alamo is located.

LATE AFTERNOON SUNSET

PHOTO BY MARK PEACOCK

It's getting darker so I have to hurry up and finish this second book. I still have more to write about Sparta. Daisy says the tv show said, when a male turned twenty he was "assigned" a wife so they could right away start having babies to make some new Warriors for Sparta.

The tv show mentioned the story of a Spartan boy who caught a Fox, but hid it under his cloak so the older boys wouldn't see it. Rather than give away he was hiding a Fox, the boy had the discipline not to yell when the Fox bit and clawed him under his cloak. Heathcliff crowed.

Boy! Dais says, even though that Spartan boy endured the pain without the older boys ever finding out about the Fox; he died from his bad injuries. That story was meant to tell the other boys it was the "highest character trait" how he was able to endure pain without complaining.

ANCIENT GREECE

I remember that morning last Summer when the nice man came over to our house. He turned out to be from Greece, and told our boss Sparta is "in between" the mountain ranges of "Parnon" and "Taygetos." Mr. Steve told that man. as a kid; he drew the Spartan's logo.

The man told our boss how Sparta's "upside down V" is the Greek letter "L," which just stands for the region Sparta is located in called "Laconia." My Encyclopedia says it's "Lakedai Mðnion" in the Greek language. I smell the Twins out there in the desert behind the Sheds.

Like the 16th century Italian City-States, the ancient Greek City-States also fought each other a lot. "Truces" were "declared" for those Olympic Games. And sometimes "cooperative alliances" were made to fight "common enemies" like the Persians in 480 B.C. for example.

HERODOTUS (484-424 B.C.)

The ancient Greek Historian Herodotus wrote about those "Persian Wars." The Battle of Thermopylae was in the second one. Daisy heard Mr. Steve's father talk about how "terrain," or a "narrow pass to defend;" can be a "force multiplier" against a much bigger army.

My Encyclopedia says, when King Xerxes and his giant Persian army invaded Greece in 480 B.C.; King Leonidas led a total of seven thousand Greek Hoplites. They were to "intercept" them and "stall for time" at Thermopylae. There are a lot of Birds chirping right now.

It says here the "Persian Empire" was "founded" by "Cyrus the Great" in 550 B.C., and Thermopylae was not the first time Persia had invaded Greece. Ten years before, in 490 B.C.; King "Darius" tried to conquer Greece. The famous "Battle of Marathon" happened then. "BATTLE OF MARATHON"

("FIRST PERSIAN WAR" / 490 B.C.)

ARTWORK BY PETER CONNOLLY

I just thought about the First Persian War's "Battle of Marathon," and how that guy ran twenty six miles back to Athens to announce a Greek win. But too bad he died right after saying "Nike," or "Victory." A nice cool evening breeze just floated in from the eastern desert.

Mr. Steve's brothers Rock and Sam ran in those Marathon races, and as I wrote before; it was our boss and Miss Harriet who drove them home afterwards. The distance from our house to Littlerock where his brother Sam's family lives is twenty seven miles. I smell Joshua trees.

Boy! That guy "Hannibal" invaded ancient Rome by marching an army, with Elephants; over the the tall "Alps" mountains in Winter; which caught the Romans totally by surprise. In Italy he then beat the Romans in a few battles. Daisy says some Elephants fell off of cliffs.

CROSSING THE ALPS HANNIBAL BARCA WAR ELEPHANTS

(247-183 B.C.)

Like Greece and Persia were big "Rivals," later Rome and Carthage were the same. In book one I forgot to write a few things about that "Battle of Cannae," but Daisy told me to just add it in today somewhere. So I'll do it now and then write about the "Battle of the Alamo."

In my first book I mentioned how Students at "West Point" military academy study the 215 B.C. Battle of Cannae. In that battle Hannibal "Annihilated" a Roman army of over seventy thousand by using that "Double Envelopment" tactic I've written about. Heathcliff crowed.

Daisy says Mr. Steve's father studied "Cannae," which took place in 215 B.C. And so did Frederick the Great, and that guy General Schwartzcoff in that 1991 "Persian Gulf" War. A Roman Writer said sixty thousand Roman Soldiers were slaughtered at Cannae.

HOMER LEA (1876-1912)

Over the last two days I've mentioned that little hunchback Homer Lea, who wrote those two books about military history. Daisy says he thought Hannibal was just as good of a "Field Commander" as Alexander the Great or Napoléon too. All four Pigeons are flying bye.

Homer Lea, who went to College up there at "Stanford;" studied Double Envelopment, where you try to create one of those "Killing Zones." This one Encyclopedia says, in 215 B.C.; Hannibal's "front ranks" stuck out as if "exposed and vulnerable." Heathcliff just crowed.

I guess at Cannae the Romans rushed in to "engage," Hannibal's Soldiers told to fight but slowly back up like a bending rubber band. The Romans, thinking they were winning and their enemy was retreating; kept pushing forward. I smell the baby Cholla cactus over there.

"BATTLE OF CANNAE"

("SECONC PUNIC WAR" / 215 B.C.)

ARTWORK BY FRANK MILLER

I love diagrams, like the one here that shows how the Roman lines in red pushed against Hannibal's men in gray. Hannibal's front lines, acting as a "lure" like in fishing; slowly pulled or "sucked" the Romans in, "giving ground" in the center. A Train just whistled faintly.

Once the Romans were "bottled up" and "surrounded" Hannibal's "wing units," some on Horses; then came in to "collapse" on the Roman Warriors trapped inside. A Killing Zone was created in the center. Boy! And in those days you had to stab an enemy to end their lives.

Genghis Khan's 13th century Mongols conquered a huge empire, and used Hannibal's idea of Double Envelopment; only on their Ponies. I wrote yesterday how they were like 19th century "Comanche" Indians who could shoot backwards while galloping on a Horse. I smell Libby.

NAPOLÉON BONAPARTE I (1769-1821)

PAINTING BY JACQUES-LOUIS DAVID PAINTING BY ERNEST MEISSONIER

I don't know why but I suddenly just thought of that guy Napoléon, who took advantage of the "French Revolutions" chaos to become France's leader. He won a lot of battles and knew about the Battle of Cannae. But in 1812 his invasion of Russia turned out to be a disaster.

This one Encyclopedia describes Napoléon's "failed" attempt to conquer Russia as being "catastrophic." His "Grand Armee" of four hundred thousand men beat the Russians in some battles early in the Russian campaign but eventually lost the war. Heathcliff just crowed.

Wow! Only twenty thousand of Napoléon's army "escaped" back to France. That's why it's surprising a century later Hitler made the same exact mistake of "miscalculating" attacking Russia. And in both cases extremely cold Winters were also big "factors" in their defeats.

LATE AFTERNOON

It's getting darker and darker fast but, like yesterday at this time; I only have a few things left to write about. And then we can have dinner which will be so great because I'm hungry. On my outline I see I have to write more about that famous "Battle of the Alamo" from 1836.

As I've said before, the area now the State of "Texas" was first part of Spain's New World Empire until 1821. Then, when Mexico "broke away" from Spain in 1821; it was in the Mexican "State" of "Coahuilla." But many wanted to be their own individual Mexican "Province."

The Federal Government down in Mexico City decided to "enforce its authority" in 1835, but the white "Texians" and Hispanic "Tejanos" in "Tejas" didn't like it. That's what a tv show Dais and Millie saw said. All four of the Pigeons just flew over Libby Corral to go east.

"BATTLE OF THE ALAMO"

("SAN ANTONIO DE BÉXAR" / "SIEGE"-FEB. 23-MARCH 6, 1836)

It says here, in 1835 many of the people in Texas "defied" the Mexican Government. So, the following year is when General Santa Anna marched an army of over four thousand men up into Texas. There are many Birds zooming around in every direction behind the Sheds.

When Santa Anna's army got to Texas they found about two hundred Texians and Tejanos inside the "fortified" walls of that old "run down" 18th century Franciscan Mission near to San Antonio. They right away surrounded the "Alamo," which in Spanish means "Cottonwood."

Santa Anna then "imposed" one of those "Sieges" I've written about. It was during this period when William Barrett Travis wrote his letter to Sam Houston saying "victory or death." Sam Houston thought he should just "abandon" that old Mission as being "indefensible."

ANTONIO LÓPEZ DE SANTA ANNA (1794-1876) PAINTING BY PAUL L' OUVRIER

Boy! It's hard to believe that guy Mr. Santa Anna, in "post Spain" Mexico; was "in and out of power" eleven times. My Encyclopedia says, since 1821 there had been two main Mexican "political" parties; Santa Anna "at one time or another leading both." He looks arrogant.

Down in Mexico there had been one of those civil wars going on, the Centralists" wanting to "rule" with all power "concentrated" in a single "strong government." It says here how the "Federalists" thought the Provinces, or States; should "govern themselves. Sage smells good.

By 1830 the "over twenty five thousand" white people living in Texas "outnumbered" the Hispanic or Latino people. But, according to what Dais heard Mr. Ralph and our boss talk about one time; many of the Hispanic people were Federalist thinking too. Heathcliff crowed.

MEXICO / AMERICAN SOUTHWEST "EL CAMINO REAL" / "THE KING'S ROAD")

You can really see on this map of that road from Mexico City all the way up to Texas and New Mexico how far it was. What is now the "American Southwest" is described here as being "remote." I've written before about that other "Camino Real" up here in Alta California.

By the 1830's the Centralists had won the civil war in Mexico. Daisy says Mr. Ralph, and our boss's father too; think if the Federalists had won it's possible Texas might not have wanted to rebel. But they did, and Santa Anna's Centralist government wanted to "assert authority."

Mr. Ralph I guess joked about how, many of the white people living in Texas in the 1830's were "illegal aliens;" who didn't have permission to live there. So their culture was slowly kind of "Taking Over" so to speak. Ah! The late evening air is so fresh and clear again today.

YOUNGER SANTA ANNA

PAINTING BY MANUEL PARIS

Boy! In looking at a painting of what the caption describes as a "younger" Santa Anna, I really love his fancy uniform. If I ever get to have a uniform, I think I'd want it to be royal blue; and definitely have some of those shoulder epaulettes. Heathcliff just crowed over there.

In book one I wrote a lot about the "Mexican War," which happened ten years after the Battle of the Alamo. Santa Anna was in "Exile" in Cuba but came back into Mexico to fight the Americans. I've mentioned before how Santa Anna had one of his legs shot off in a battle.

Our boss's father joked, in 1836 Santa Anna "needed to be" Conservative so was; and at other times "when necessary" he "became" Liberal. But either way, he'd was a "Dictator." He believed in democracy "only to the extent that it suited his purposes" Mr. Steve's dad said.

MOSES AUSTIN STEPHEN F. AUSTIN

(1761-1821) (1793-1836)

I just looked up this man named Moses Austin, who was an American "businessman and pioneer." He was born before the Revolutionary War, in the State of "Virginia;" but moved his family to "Missouri" where Mr. Bob the Parts Manager's family lives. Daffy's quacking.

When in 1819 the American economy "collapsed," Moses Austin moved his family down to Spanish "Arkansas." He bought land where the city of "Little Rock" is located. I've mentioned "Littlerock" to the west of here in Piñon Hills, where our boss's brother Sam's family lives.

Moses Austin's family was left "penniless" in 1819. He got permission from the Spanish to move his and other white families to "Tejas," but died so his son Stephen F. Austin ended taking three hundred families down there to Texas. Stephen Austin is called the "Father of Texas."

STEVIE RAY VAUGHAN (1954-1990)

PHOTO BY DAVID PLASTIK

Our boss and his brother Rock talked about Texas's State Capitol of "Austin," named for that guy Stephen F. Austin. I guess Stevie Ray Vaughan was from "Dallas," near "Arlington where Mr. Steve's brother lives with his sons; but moved to Austin. Heathcliff just crowed.

Daisy heard Mr. Steve's brother say there are a few things in Texas named after Stephen Austin. That's why, what George Washington is to the U.S.; Stephen F. Austin is to Texas. It says in this one Encyclopedia he was like Mr. Steve and never got married or had any children.

I wonder if Mr. Steve knows that Stephen Austin's final words before dying were, "The independence of Texas is recognized. Don't you see it in the papers?" If not he'll like how it was me who found it here in this Encyclopedia. I can hear Heathcliff's Hens over there cackling.

WILLIAM WING LORING (1818-1886)

Yesterday I wrote about William Wing Loring, who was from St. Augustine, Florida and was a 19th century Soldier for fifty years. Mr. Steve told his Niece Steph she and Loring share December the 4th as a birthday. Loring lost his arm during the Mexican War in 1847.

I guess at eighteen in 1836, Loring ran away from home to go fight in Texas; but his dad chased him down and took him back to Florida. Loring survived the Civil War then, with the recommendation of General Sherman; worked for the "Khedive" of Egypt. I smell Sage.

If Mr. Steve had Mr. Peabody's time machine he'd go meet Mr. William, who he studied in College at C.S.U.N. Before the Civil War he escorted settlers out here to the west coast. He was in Texas when the war broke out in 1861, so resigned his commission to go fight for the South.

MR. RALPH / SON RORY

According to what Dais has heard, Mr. Ralph knows a lot about the 1836 war between the people in Texas and Mexico. Mr. Steve also lent his book on Sam Houston and Santa Anna. Right now there are so many nice evening scents and smells floating all over the place.

In order to be allowed to migrate to Texas the white immigrants, all Protestants; had to convert to Catholicism. The people with Stephen Austin arrived in 1825, and at first everything went well; until 1835 when they wanted more "political autonomy." Santa Anna said no.

As I've said a few times in these first two books, for a long time California, Texas and New Mexico were hard to govern from down there in Mexico City. But in 1836 Santa Anna was going to try to do it "By Force" if necessary, which it was. Blackbeard and Anne are flying bye.

"THE ALAMO" MOVIE (1960)

Someday I'll see the 1960 John Wayne movie about what happened in Texas in 1836. Mr. Steve and his parents liked it, especially the parts that showed people riding Horses. Our boss was only five years old in 1960, the year his family moved out here to California "for good."

Daisy heard Mr. Ralph say in 1836 that guy Santa Anna wanted to put "what he thought of as rebels in their place." Oh! I just noticed how the siege of the Alamo began on February the 23rd, Mr. Steve's father's birthday. A Train whistled faintly way out there in the desert.

For thirteen days Santa Anna bombarded the Alamo. Inside the main leaders were those guys William Barrett Travis, Jim Bowie and Davy Crockett. Mr. Steve thinks Travis thought his job, or "primary purpose;" was to "buy more time" for Sam Houston to "raise an army."

BOWIE / CROCKETT / TRAVIS "THE ALAMO" SANTA ANNA (1960)

Oh! It says here what Mr. Ralph told our boss, how some people think the flag flying over the Alamo in 1836 might've been the one "adopted" by the Texans. It looked like a Mexican flag but instead of the Eagle and Snake logo had the date 1824 on it. I want to see that movie.

I guess in 1824, after Mexico had broken away from Spain three years earlier; the people passed their "Constitution." That's why the Texans put 1824 on their own flag, or "bandera" in Spanish. Daisy told me in his office our boss Mr. Steve has a miniature 1824 Alamo flag.

Dais heard our boss and Mr. Ralph talk about how, when the Mexican army got to Texas; Santa Anna was in "a bad mood." His men had marched all way up from Mexico City and were tired. A flock of Birds is flying together toward the northeast and it's getting darker now.

WM. B. TRAVIS JIM BOWIE DAVY CROCKETT

(1809-1836) (1796-1836) (1786-1836)

PAINTINGS IN TEXAS STATE LIBRARY

Among the almost two hundred men defending the Alamo back in 1836 was that guy Jim Bowie, who the Singer David Bowie took his name from. I guess, "early in the siege;" he got sick with "typhoid." Daisy heard Mr. Steve talking with his father about a scene from the movie.

The scene shows a column of Mexican Horsemen galloping up to the Alamo. Daisy says our boss and his dad both noticed right away what good Horsemen they were, and admired how "beautiful" running Horses can look. Libby's walking around slowly over in her Corral.

In the scene, below the Alamo wall; a Mexican Officer unfurls and reads out Santa Anna's "terms of surrender" to Bowie, Travis and Davy Crockett up on the wall. But Travis says no by using a cigar to light a fuse, shooting off a cannon. The Horses are scared so the men leave.

ROCKY JR. / ROCK / JACOB

STEPHANIE / RICH / CRISTINA

Daisy says our boss told his Niece Stephanie about his trip to Texas in 1993, when her dad took him to giant indoor rodeo called "Gilleys."

On that same trip to Texas Mr. Steve bought a good book about Davy Crockett, which Mr. Ralph borrowed. I guess, Davy Crockett was from that State of "Tennessee." The book said he probably never even wore a "Racoon" skin hat, and always referred to himself as "David."

Before he went to Texas Davy Crockett had been one of those "Congressmen" in the House of Representatives back there in Washington D.C. But, he really didn't like the way President Andrew Jackson treated Native-American people. I wrote about the "Trail of Tears."

DIAGRAM OF THE "ALAMO" MISSION

("SAN ANTONIO DE BÉXAR")

A good picture shows how the old 18th century Catholic Mission looked when the Battle of the Alamo took place back in 1836. The north side is on the left side of the image and you can see how the Franciscan Padres built it between two Rivers. Samson and Delilah flew bye.

I guess, Davy Crockett was "voted out of office" in Tennessee so, told his family he'd go "scout out" Texas; to see if they could get land there. I now better understand why Mr. Steve and his dad enjoy studying maps, diagrams and things like that. A Train whistled faintly.

Daisy heard our boss and his father talk about how, when Travis shot off that cannon it made Santa Anna angry. So, he ordered the siege, and every day the walls were damaged; and every night were repaired. It was like that "Ho Chi Minh" trail during the Vietnam War.

UNIFORMS MEXICAN TROOPS FINAL ASSAULT / MARCH 6, 1836 (INFANTRY / CAVALRY FRONT LEFT) (1836) (MINIATURE "FIGURINES")

This painting shows the Mexican uniforms worn by Santa Anna's army in 1836, and I see how one is only wearing sandals. Mr. Ralph said one time how some of Santa Anna's men were poor "conscripted" Indians. That means they were forced to be in the army Daisy heard.

One of the miniature models destroyed in the 1971 Sylmar earthquake was of a Mexican "Dragoon," who rode a Horse and even carried a spear. In the picture of the Mexican army the guy in the front row wearing a helmet is one of those Dragoons. Frida and Diego flew bye.

I guess, when William Barrett Travis fired that cannon Santa Anna got really mad; so had a red "Blood" flag flown over the town of "San Antonio de Béxar." Daisy says that means "No Quarter" or mercy. I guess only thirty two men showed up as reinforcements at the Alamo.

FINAL ASSAULT ON THE ALAMO

("SAN ANTONIO DE BÉXAR" /MARCH 6, 1836 / 5:30 A.M.)

From what it says here, and Dais told me she heard; after those thirteen days of shelling the Alamo Santa Anna ordered an assault. His Soldiers "assembled" in the dark of morning, or about 5:30; and many shouted "Viva Santa Anna!" That means "Long Live Santa Anna!"

Santa Anna told all his Buglers to play "Deguello," a song signaling there was to be "No Mercy;" or prisoners taken. Santa Anna hit the Alamo from three sides, for ninety minutes the defenders "held out" with "stiff resistance." Dais thinks ZZ TOP have a Degeullo song.

On that final morning Santa Anna lost about six hundred men, his troops finally able to put up ladders and climb over and "breach" the north wall. I guess, Travis died when shot in the head, Jim Bowie was bayonetted on his sick bed. But he killed a few of them too Daisy says.

"STORMING" NORTH WALL FINAL ASSAULT "LAST DITCH" STAND

(7:00 A.M. / MARCH 6, 1836)

PAINTING BY PERCY MORAN

Once the Mexican Soldiers were able to "flood" or "swarm" over that north wall all the surviving defenders retreated, and were chased back to some "barracks" for their "final stand." But all were killed. It says here they had "sacrificed in blood" for the "sake of Texas."

Wow! After the battle Santa Anna had the Texian bodies piled up and burned. But as a "favor" to an Officer he allowed that man's brother, who he considered a rebel; a "Christian" burial. He also allowed a few women and children, and Travis's Slave "Joe;" to leave.

Boy! In some ways those guys in the Alamo were like the three hundred Spartans at the pass at Thermopylae. They "bought time" for that other guy Sam Houston to put together an army. Cher just went jogging bye and she's got a dead Mouse hanging out of her mouth.

DAVY CROCKETT AT THE ALAMO

PAINTING BY ROBERT JENKINS ONDERDONK

Our boss and his dad one time talked about how there are questions as to how, and when" Davy Crockett died at the Alamo. Some say he "went down fighting," either up on the walls or near the barracks near the Chapel. Hiding inside that Chapel were women and children.

In 1955, the year Mr. Steve was born; a diary was discovered in Mexico. It had written by one of Santa Anna's Colonels named Enrique de la Peña. That girl Miss Maria, who I've said a few times has worked for years for Mr. Steve's family; also has the last name of Peña too.

Daisy heard Mr. Ralph knows someone who read the "De la Peña" diary in Spanish. In it he says Davy Crocket was captured but ordered "put to death" by Santa Anna using sabers. In his office our boss has this sword similar to the ones used in the early 19th century I guess.

SAM HOUSTON (1783-1863)

I'm looking at a picture of that other guy Sam Houston, and notice how it was printed using one of those oval-shaped masks Mr. Steve has used in Dark Rooms. I wrote how he had a Dark Room at his house on Hagar Street. He also worked in one for the San Fernando Sun.

After the Alamo Santa Anna "pursued" Sam Houston, and at a place called "Goliad" he "massacred" four hundred Texians, "thereby sowing the seeds of revenge." A man from Texas told our boss vultures and coyotes ate the pile of bodies. Ah! The evening air is so fresh.

Santa Anna then chased Sam Houston's army but "amazingly" Mr. Steve says, "at rest in camp;" was totally "caught by surprise" at the "Battle of San Jacinto" in April of 1836. I guess the Texians "turned" and "routed" the Mexican Army. A little Lizard ran bye right now.

"BATTLE OF SAN JACINTO"

(APRIL 21, 1836)

PAINTING BY E.M ("BUCK" SCHIWETZ)

Wow! It says here, as they attacked and killed the Mexican Soldiers at San Jacinto; Sam Houston's "rag tag" Texian forces yelled "Remember the Alamo" and "Remember Goliad." In that "one-sided" battle some of the "fleeing" men drowned in the Lake. Heathcliff crowed.

It says here, like the Spartans in 480 B.C.; all of those who died at the Alamo "symbolize" a "heroic struggle against impossible odds." But at San Jacinto the "tables were turned" and many Mexicans were slaughtered. I've mentioned how "soldato" is "soldier" in Spanish.

Our boss told Mr. Ralph, on their trip to St. Augustine where Loring was from; he and Mr. Armando visited "Matanza" Bay where in 1565 the Spanish killed "Protestant Huguenots." And, as I've said a few times already in my books; the word "matanza" means "slaughter."

MR. STEVE'S PARENTS

PHOTO BY RODERICK CÓRDOVA

Mr. Steve's father has read about what happened in 1836 at the Battle of San Jacinto, and how Santa Anna made the really huge "tactical error" of "dividing his army." He was chasing Sam Houston and he and his men were "exhausted" it says here. Heathcliff just crowed.

Daisy heard our boss's dad say "it's one thing to rest a field army, but quite another to not have had sufficient sentries patrolling a perimeter" in 1836. And that's why Dais and I have to guard the edges of our fenced in two acres too. It would be so bad to be surprise attacked!

On those really hot Summer days last Summer Mr. Steve took "siesta" naps. And at times Daisy went in the house to sleep next to his bed, telling me it was ridiculous for me to be out here on the Patio, even if there are sometimes breezes coming in. I like to be with you too Elvira.

SANT ANNA SURRENDERS TO SAM HOUSTON

(SAN JACINTO / "POST" BATTLE)

PAINTING BY WILLIAM HENRY HUDDLE

Wow! It says here Santa Anna escaped at San Jacinto, but was caught wearing a private's clothes. A painting shows him being "brought before" Sam Houston, resting under one of those Oak trees with a wound in his ankle. It's getting darker and darker and I'm so hungry.

Mr. Dave's Motorcycle Shop customer in Texas told him he and his wife took their kids to visit the site of where Santa Anna and Sam Houston met under the Oak tree. Only nine of Sam Houston's men were killed at San Jacinto. The city of "Houston" is named for Sam Houston.

Daisy one time heard our boss and his father talk about this poem about the four hundred Texians slaughtered by Santa Anna at Goliad. It was written by that guy Walt Whitman. Daisy says many Mexican Soldiers died at San Jacinto yelling "Me no Alamo!" Me no Goliad!"

"PEE WEE HERMAN'S BIG ADVENTURE"

(1985)

I can't wait to someday see that great movie Daisy and Millie liked. It was about that guy named "Pee Wee," who's really fancy bicycle got stolen so he then had to get it back no matter what Dais told me. One place he looks for it is at the Alamo Chapel back there in Texas.

Daisy says that movie called "Pee Wee's Big Adventure" and that's a good title because it does show some adventure's Pee Wee Herman has to go on before he finally is able to get his red bike back. Of course Dais like that bike because it was red in color. Leo and Cleo flew bye.

Our boss told Mr. Dave he and Miss Emily saw the Pee Wee Herman movie in the 1980's. In the scenes that were supposed to be of the Alamo Mr. Steve right away recognized that they were filmed at the "San Fernando Mission." I can smell the baby Cholla cactus over there.

PEE WEE"S BIG ADVENTURE

(SCENE FILMED IN S.F. MISSION WORKSHOP)

PHOTO BY STEVE CÓRDOVA

Mr. Steve showed his parents the Pee Wee movie, and I guess they recognized the scenes filmed at the Mission. One was of a girl Tour Guide talking to a group about the Alamo inside of the Mission "Workshop." A Train whistled faintly way out there in the northern desert.

Over the last two days I've mentioned a few times how Mr. Steve and his mom had some Art Exhibits in Southern California. A few of his photos were of the Mission workshop. Daisy heard in a scene Pee Wee is at those "Cabazon" Dinosaurs our boss and Miss Emily visited.

Daisy heard Pee Wee Herman was in Cheech and Chong movies, and in 1948 his father was a Fighter Pilot in Israel's first Air Force. That guy Danny Elfman of OINGO BOINGO, who I wrote about this morning; did the music for Pee Wee's Big Adventure. A Lizard ran bye.

MR. STEVE'S PARENTS / GRANDMA CÓRDOVA

("CÓRDOVA" FOUNTAIN / S.F. MISSION)

PHOTO BY STEVE CÓRDOVA

Dais heard our boss tell Miss Babette, in a scene from Pee Wee Herman's movie; you can see that "Cordova Fountain" behind that Tour Guide. And in another one the "Gift Shop" sign is clearly seen I guess. Daisy and I would really like to nose around the San Fernando Mission.

All of a sudden I just thought of the inside of the living room, where maybe we'll go in tomorrow morning to watch cartoons on tv. If we do then I'll just postpone writing book three until Sunday instead. I wouldn't really mind doing that because I want to see Mr. Peabody.

The fireplace in the living room is elevated and on the brick area in front of it our boss has a few knives and things like that. We watched him show Jason three sizes of "Bowie" knives, like the ones that guy Jim Bowie used in fighting and killing opponents. Heathcliff crowed. HIGH DESERT SUNSET

Boy! It's getting really dark so I have to hurry and finish book two. On my outline I see the only subject left to write about are things which live in water. On a coffee table in the living room our boss has a metal Shark next to a statue of a Marlin, both bought at a garage sale.

Dais and Millie saw a tv show on Sharks, where the man said they're the only "known" Fish able to "blink with both eyes." I've said before how Mr. Steve has a "Subconscious" fear of Sharks. The biggest Shark is of course called a "Whale" Shark, which can be fifty feet long.

This one Encyclopedia calls Whale Sharks "filter feeders," who eat that "Plankton" I've mentioned before. Plankton is "microscopic animal and plant life" which lives out in the Ocean. Wow! I guess, Whale Sharks are the "largest fish;" and can weight fifty thousand pounds.

"WHALE" SHARK "BASKING" SHARK

Whale Sharks, and these other huge "Basking" Shark who eat plankton too; are harmless to humans. Both swim with mouths open to eat plankton but, what if you're swimming along and accidentally get swallowed? It would be like that guy Jonah in the Old Testament.

Looking up plankton shows "Jelly Fish." I guess, usually you can't see plankton, except for things like Jelly Fish; which are "giant forms" of plankton that have evolved for five million years. It sounds like two Ravens are fighting out there in the back desert behind the Sheds.

Daisy and Millie both noticed Jelly Fish's long arms, or "tentacles;" similar to the ones on Octopus's or Squid. Theirs have "stingers" on them, while Octopus's and Squid have "suction cups to "grasp and hold " the prey. Jelly Fish just float along in all of the water currents.

JELLY FISH OCTOPUS SQUID

Boy! It would probably be so scary to go down into the water of a big Ocean. Up here we have Bears, Wolves and Mountain Lion which kill and eat you, but in an Ocean there are also a lot of things that just injure you. I'll bet those two Ravens are fighting over s girl Raven.

Daisy heard our boss tell his sister Susan, who used to go "Scuba" diving; he once met a guy who got badly stung by some of those Jelly Fish. Mr. Steve and that guy talked about how Octopus and Squid, besides their tentacles; have really sharp beaks too. I smell Mesquite.

I guess that man and our boss talked about Sharks, and how most of them aren't a threat to people; unless they're hungry or starving of course. I've mentioned a few times how Mr. Steve had a "Subconscious," now conscious; fear of being eaten by a Shark. Heathcliff crowed.

"ARCHITEUTHIS" GIANT SQUID "20,000 LEAGUES UNDER THE SEA"

Our boss told his sister Susan he thinks "it's possible" some of the old stories about "Sea Monsters" might've been those Giant Squid I mentioned this morning called "Architeuthis." I guess, most of the time the stay deep in the water. But sometimes they come up to the top.

Those big "Sperm" Whales dive way down deep into the Ocean to eat Giant Squid. Daisy says, by killing just one Squid; a giant Whale can "fill up." But Squid fight back too, and Daisy says our boss told his sister how many Sperm Whales have some "nasty scars to prove it."

Boy! It's getting darker and darker and I still have a few things to write about. The next thing on this book two outline are "Blue" Sharks. Mr. Steve thinks they're one of "prettiest" of Sharks, having blue and silver bodies. My favorite color is royal blue like my food bowl.

"BLUE" SHARK

Mr. Steve told his sister Blue Shark's teeth don't "show," and at times they swim in kind of "lethargic" way; but "when necessary accelerate to swim at high speed." This Encyclopedia says, "unlike many other Sharks;" they "prefer cooler water. The four Pigeons flew bye.

It says here, female Blue Sharks are "larger than males;" sometimes ten feet long. They don't "have a reputation for being dangerous," but Daisy says one time our boss met a guy who was attacked by one; and had cuts on his hands and feet. He showed Mr. Steve all the scars.

Many Sharks are "solitary," until it's time to have some babies. But, I guess at times Blue Sharks seem to "group together." I've mentioned how, when he and his brother Rock visited their Uncle Marty's family in San Diego they would go to that place called "Sea World."

"REEF" SHARK "SAND TIGER" SHARK

Dais heard our boss tell his sister some of the most "dangerous looking" Sharks, with scary "jagged" teeth sticking out all over the place; are usually not a threat to people. "Reef" and "Sand Tiger" Sharks are examples of these. I smell the baby Cholla cactus over there.

Mr. Steve says some Sharks whose pointy teeth are easily seen are very dangerous, like those "Great White" Shark I've written about. And, not only are they really "aggressive;" they are big in size too. Some White Sharks can grow to be twenty feet long from what Daisy heard.

I've mentioned that 14th century Italian poem / book called "The Divine Comedy," which Mr. Steve and his mom read in College at C.S.U.N. It describes a three part "Afterlife" of Hell, Purgatory and Heaven. I have to hurry up and finish this book because it's getting dark.

DANTE ALOGHIERI (c.1265-1321)

PAINTING BY DOMENICO DI MICHELINO

As I mentioned before, in that Italian guy Dante's poem Hell is called "Inferno," and has nine different circular levels. Depending on what bad thing your Soul's body did down here the Soul had to suffer a particular "torment" for eternity. Ugh! I would hate to burn forever!

Dais says one time our boss and Mr. Dave talked about Dante's book The Divine Comedy, which Mr. Steve's father says turned out to be "one of the most important and influential things" ever written. A lady once told our boss how "Tuscan" Italian is now spoken because of it.

Our boss told our Worker Esteban his worst Hell would be like those Sailors in the water after the U.S.S. Indianapolis sank in 1945. I wrote how, in July of 1945; that "Cruiser" delivered the "Components" used for those Atomic bombs dropped on Japan. That means the parts.

U.S.S. "INDIANAPOLIS" (JULY, 1945)

PAINTING BY TED EASLEY ARTWORK BY CECIL TROTTER

One time our boss and Mr. Dave, who was in the Navy; talked about that World War II Ship Indianapolis. Mr. Dave chuckled when our boss told him of his fear of Sharks. Mr. Steve says he would've "had a heart attack" if he'd been in the same situation as all those Sailors.

Boy! What bad luck that, after doing its assignment; the Indianapolis was sunk by two torpedoes from that Japanese submarine. Dais and I noticed how Mr. Steve's dad said one time, "Isn't that something." Ugh! No one noticed the Indianapolis had been sunk for four days.

This Encyclopedia says twelve hundred Sailors went "into the water" when their Ship was sunk. Only three hundred survived those four days and nights floating in the Ocean, and a lot of them were eaten by Sharks. It was our boss's worst "real-life nightmare" he tells people.

"OCEANIC WHITE TIP" SHARK

PHOTO BY BRIAN SKERRY

Our boss and Mr. Grant discussed a tv show about Sharks who live out in the middle of Oceans instead of near coastlines. One is the "Oceanic Whitetip, whose fin tips are white. This picture, with those "Pilot" Fish with it, shows how their fins are round and not triangular.

I guess, "Whitetips" are smart and at times follow Ships; knowing there will be free food. Mark Ritter used to sometimes say, "in some way shape or form;" they might "somehow" use a Ship's for "navigating" too. Pilot Fish must be smart too because they also get extra food.

Mr. Steve thinks, "at least" during the day "maybe" the Indianapolis' Sailors could see the Shark coming; and have time to say a quick Hail Mary and then get in a few punches before being bitten. But, at night you can't. He'd have found it hard "not to panic" Blessed Mother.

"DEAD SEA" "GREAT SALT" LAKE

I just thought of how you're never supposed to drink salt water, and how in 1945 some of the floating Indianapolis Sailors were so thirsty they did it anyway. Those four days were really hot so, it was harder to resist. When I was homeless there were times I was "Dying of Thirst."

But, of course; those Sailors died from the salt water and went crazy. Someday our boss wouldn't mind traveling to Utah to see that "Great Salt Lake." He and the 1985 St. Ferdinand's Tour Group got to see the "Dead Sea" and those salt pillars which looked like Lot's wife.

Mr. Dave said in 1945, for four what must've been "long" days and nights Sharks had a "field day" in getting a "bonanza" of food. It was a "gold mine" for them Daisy heard him say. Mr. Steve told him those four days must've seemed like a "literal eternity" of living in Hell.

"TIGER" SHARK

PAINTING BY ADRIAN SUTTON

Our boss told Mr. Dave "many," if not "most" Sharks; live alone the way he does. One of the most dangerous Sharks are those "Tiger" Sharks I've mentioned before. They're usually "by themselves" he said. And they'll eat "almost anything" which might "cross their path."

Daisy heard our boss talk with Mr. Dave about how, way out in the middle of an Ocean; there are groups of Sharks who kind of act more like a "pack" of Wolves. And, in 1945; it seems like that's what partially happened. So then one of the big "Feeding Frenzies" broke out.

My Encyclopedia says what Mr. Steve said too, how Tiger Sharks may grow to be "over" twenty feet long. Mr. Steve read some of the 1945 survivors thought a few of their shipmates got eaten by Tiger Sharks, based on the "stripe patterns" on their bodies. Heathcliff crowed.

CHARLES B. MCVAY (1898-1968)

Mr. Steve's father thinks the Captain of the U.S.S. Indianapolis, named Charles McVay; was "blamed" as one of those "Scapegoats" for what happened in 1945 when his Ship was sunk. Daisy heard he ended up killing himself. I really like the hats from the World War II period.

Daisy heard our boss and Mr. Dave talk about in 1945 there was not enough room for everyone in the "Life Boats." So some had to just float next to them. There were times when in the morning they would find the dead where the bottom half of their bodies were eaten off.

This Encyclopedia says after the war Captain McVay was "put on trial," and I guess was "blamed" for his Ship being sunk. Mr. Steve's dad used the words "railroaded" and "fall guy" one time in talking about him Dais noticed. There are almost no shadows now left today.

"PEARL HARBOR" ATTACK

(DECEMBER 7, 1941 / HAWAII)

I just thought of that guy Lee Harvey Oswald. In 1963, when accused of killing President Kennedy; as he was led away in handcuffs told the Newspaper Reporters he was a "Patsy." Dais says she wonders if maybe that term could also be applied to Captain McVay's trial too?

Mr. Steve's dad thinks those guys Admiral Kimmel and General Short were also blamed for the Japanese surprise attack in 1941. It wasn't their fault but, as Mr. Dave said; "someone" needed to be the government's "sacrificial lamb." I smell the baby Cholla cactus over there.

Boy! It's so weird how the Indianapolis was sunk on July the 30th, or Captain McVay's birthday. In 2003 he was "Exonerated," his name "cleared" but like that Painter van Gogh; may've died thinking he was a failure. Samantha's so right God that "life is not fair."

"JAWS" (1974)

A few years ago Mr. Steve met this nice lay who he bought and sold things to. Like Miss Emily, she was originally from "Long Island" in New York City'; and knew about Sharks. She said her dad was a Fisherman and told her and her brothers and sister about things like that.

Daisy says our boss and the lady talked about that 1974 movie "Jaws." He told her it was when he and Miss Sandy saw that movie he realized other people were afraid of Sharks too. To him that was a really scary movie, especially when he saw the huge size of the White Shark.

In 1974 Mr. Steve was in his first year at "Valley Junior College" in Van Nuys. I guess, Miss Sandy was in 11th Grade at Sylmar High. One time when he and Rock were visiting their Uncle Marty's family in San Diego, they saw a tv show called "Blue Water, White Death."

"GREAT WHITE" SHARK "MEGALODON" SHARK

That tv show Blue Water, White Death was about White Sharks, even going all the way back to those giant "Megalodons" I've mentioned a few times over the last two days. Boy! It's such a good thing there are no more Megalodons around anymore. Heathcliff just crowed.

When that movie Jaws came out Mr. Steve says he "found himself" explaining to people about Sharks, the same way he did when "Gettysburg" was shown in Theaters. Daisy says in a scene from Jaws a boy's leg, with the shoe still on it; floats down to the bottom. I smell Sage.

I guess, the movie Jaws was based on a book. Our boss told his Niece Samantha one time how the man who wrote the book probably knew about about this time in 1916 when people were killed by a Shark in New Jersey. That was back in 1916, or the second year of World War I.

EARLY EVENING SUNSET

Dais says in the movie Jaws a girl is attacked by a Shark, but the Mayor of a beach town doesn't want to scare away Tourists and lose money; so tries to "downplay the danger." He tells the Sheriff to secretly hire someone to hunt down and kill the Shark. A small Lizard ran bye.

I guess, the man the Sheriff gets to hunt the Shark is named "Quint." Daisy told me he hates Sharks because he survived the U.S.S. Indianapolis sinking. In that way he was kind of like Captain "Ahab" in that story "Moby Dick," who hated the white Whale that bit his leg off.

Our boss told Miss Susan at work a customer in New Jersey told him the Quint character in Jaws may've been based on a man named Frank Mundas. That Parts Manager said he was a Fisherman from "Long Island." I've mentioned before how Miss Emily is from Long Island.

FRANK MUNDAS (1925-2008) QUINT / MUNDAS

Before the economic recession Mr. Steve had this customer in "Key West," Florida, where the Writer Ernest Hemingway lived. He said in 1964 Frank Mundas caught a giant White Shark that weighed four thousand five hundred pounds. It was probably twenty feet long I'll bet.

The Parts Manager in Florida said in 1964 Mr. Frank killed the White Shark with a spear-type "Harpoon" like the ones used for killing big Whales. Daisy heard he made money by taking people "Deep Sea" Fishing out in the Atlantic Ocean on his Boat. I smell Andy over there.

Daisy told me how that Parts Manager said, "later in life" Mr. Frank didn't hunt Sharks anymore; and in fact even became one of those "Conservationists" who protected them. I guess he and his family lived in a place called "Montauk." That sounds like an Indian name.

"STONINGTON," CONNECTICUT JAWS

On the map you can see how Long Island sticks out eastward into the Atlantic Ocean. I guess Montauk, where that man Frank Mundas lived; is one of the islands across from the town of "Stonington" where Mr. Steve's sister Susan lives with her sons. A Train whistled faintly.

I really want to see that movie Jaws someday. Dais say in one scary scene a man on the Boat, when the gigantic White Shark they're hunting swims bye; is shocked so tells Mr. Quint "We're going to need a bigger Boat." Dais told me how that scene really scared our boss.

Mr. Steve told his mom in the 1970's, when he and Sandy saw Jaws in a Movie Theater; he almost had a heart attack during that scene of the Shark swimming bye. Sandy later joked how he held her hand tight, "as if he were about to fall in the water." Mr. Steve laughed at that.

JAWS KILLS CAPTAIN QUINT

In the 19th century Herman Melville wrote his book "Moby Dick," about Captain Ahab trying to get revenge on the white Whale. And, like in that story; in Jaws the one being hunted ends up "Turning the Tables" and killing its hunter. All four of the Pigeons just flew bye.

Boy! It's really starting to get dark but I only have a little bit more left to do on this last chapter of book two. Thank Everyone up there for helping me so much again today. Heathcliff crowed and hearing him right now for some reason is making me feel good to be alive.

One difference between Jaws and Moby Dick I guess is, in Jaws the big Shark is blown to pieces and dies; while Moby Dick the Whale survives. So does that guy "Ishmael." Daisy told me Ishmael survived by floating on the wooden coffin his friend had made before dying.

"BULL" SHARK

In Jaws, and also in 1916' a boy is killed in a "Fresh water Inlet" or "Creek." Our boss told Miss Susan at work there's only one Shark which can swim from salt into fresh water; that aggressive and dangerous "Bull" Shark I've mentioned before. White Sharks can't do that.

One of Mr. Dave's old Motorcycle Shop customers in "Louisiana" told him his father saw a Bull Shark swimming northward in the "Mississippi" River. And that was almost all the way up to the Louisiana Mississippi border. As I've talked about, Bull Sharks do eat people.

Mr. Julio at work's wife Miss Rosario is from "Nicaragua." Mr. Steve told him one time how Bull Sharks have killed people in this giant fresh water Lake there. Daisy and Millie heard Mr. Julio tell our boss how there are families in Nicaragua with our last name "Córdova."

STANLEY FISHER (1892-1916)

Hey Stanley! Thank you so much for being such a good Guardian Angel for me, especially over these last two days. Daisy thinks maybe you're the spirit of that other guy Stanley Fisher, who in 1916 recovered the boy's body but was then killed himself. I want to believe that too!

Our boss told Mr. Randy one time about what are called "Megamouth" Sharks. Mr. Steve did not hear about them until 1993, when he and his mom had that Art Exhibit down there at the Natural History Museum downtown near the Coliseum. Andy's over there sniffing the air.

In 1993 a guy named "Cliff," not the Cliff we know now; rented a warehouse from our boss's dad in Sylmar. Using his big Truck, he took all of Mr. Steve and his mom's artwork to the Natural History Museum. They then helped Mr. Steve's mom set up or "Hang" that artwork.

MR. STEVE'S MOM / MR. STEVE NATURAL HISTORY MUSEUM

Dais heard our boss and his mom remember Mr. Cliff, and how grateful they still are for all the help he gave them in 1993. One of those "Machinists," Mr. Cliff was from Nebraska; and served in the Navy. A really handy person, he raised "Earthworms" in that warehouse.

On the day they set up the artwork the museum was closed, so it was easier to move things on those rolling "Dolly's;" like the ones up there in the garage. Throughout the day they went past a big container labeled "Megamouth Shark." Mr. Steve had never heard of that Shark.

Mr. Steve was curious as to what was inside that container, and when he looked inside his "heart almost stopped." It was a big twelve foot Shark he had never seen before, and that was because it lived way down in deep water and was only discovered in 1976. Heathcliff crowed. "MEGAMOUTH" SHARK

PHOTO BY MARILYN BALDO

I guess in 1976 near Hawaii, the first Megamouth Shark was accidentally caught in a net when it came up from the deep Pacific Ocean. Mr. Steve told his mom he's dreamt about the fear he felt looking down into that container at the Natural History Museum. I like Heathcliff.

Our boss told Mr. Mark about that day at the museum, and how since 1976 only "a few" more "Megamouths" have been caught. I've mentioned how Mr. Grant's wife Lori is from the Philippines, where a Megamouth was caught. Boy! It's dark now but I'm almost finished.

Wow! The only thing left on my outline to write about is a Fish called a "Coelacanth," which that guy Mark Ritter knew a lot about. Scientists thought it was extinct but then, in 1938; one was caught off the coast of South Africa. 1938 was the year before World War II began.

"COELACANTH"

It says here until 1938, Scientists believed the last Coelacanth lived about seventy million years ago; or that "Late Cretaceous" period. I guess the name Coelacanth comes from the Latin phrase "Hollow Spine." Heathcliff crowed and his Hens sound like they're kind of happy.

As I wrote before, it's thought things who lived in the Seas went up and out onto the land about four hundred million years ago. Coelacanth's are called "lobe-finned" Fish, and another one was caught in 1997 in Indonesia. Ah! The fresh evening air smells so good right now.

Well Everyone! I'm done and it's perfect timing too as I can hear Daisy barking, and Mr. Steve whistling; up there in the front yard. It's time to go eat dinner and I'm hungry. Heathcliff just crowed again and his voice is making me appreciate just being alive here in Piñon Hills.