Book 2 Chapter 2

                                                                                                  II    

(Book 2 / Chapter 2) 

7:30

      

MORNING SKY        

              

            Ah!  I feel great right now!  I pulled everything back out and now can't wait to do this second chapter.   Because of yesterday I'm getting good at using the three blankets Mr. Chris got me to disguise my materials.  Elvira's three cushions are also good for hiding things too.               

            Well Everyone, it looks like this is going to be another good day; and I can tell You guys are helping me again today.  Yesterday and today I've been able to get one chapter done for each hour of sunlight.  I'd say it's about eight thirty based on the Sun and leaning shadows.                  

             Oh!  I forgot to mention how QUEEN'S Singer Freddie Mercury's family religion was  "Zoroastrian."  In 1991 when he died; though he wasn't religious; Freddie Mercury was buried  in a Zoroastrian funeral.  As I've said, Friedrich Nietzsche called Zoroaster "Zarathustra."                                                                     

      ZOROASTER (?)       

                               

              From what is says here in this Encyclopedia, no one really knows exactly when that guy Zoroaster lived but, it was probably in the 7th century B.C.  Zoroastrians believe in three things, having good "thoughts," good "words" and doing good "deeds."  Heathcliff just crowed.             

              It says here Plato "mentioned" Zoroaster, and the religion he started was "dominant" in ancient "Persia," and still has followers in modern "Iran."   Mr. Steve's parents met this family from West Los Angeles who were Zoroastrians.  I smell Bonnie and Clyde's babies up there.         

             Dais told me our boss and Mr. Hussein down there in Sylmar talked about how, in some ways Zoroastrianism influenced Islam.  Zoroastrians also pray five times a day, and cover their heads up while doing it too.  Boy God!  I feel so happy again today so thank You for that.                                                               ABU ISHAQ (1029-1087 A.D.)                                   CÓRDOBA, SPAIN                                    

               

            I just looked up an 11th century A.D. Muslim Astronomer named Abu Ishaq who lived in that Spanish city of Córdoba.  I guess, he watched the Planet Mercury closely.  Ah!  I just noticed a little Lizard over there, standing on the wall near the sliding glass door doing some pushups.     

          Wow!   Abu Ishaq's real name is "Abu Ishaq Ibrahim Ibn Yahya al Zarqali."  He was an "inventor," so was probably like those later guys Thomas Edison and Nikola Tesla; who I'll learn a lot more about today.  One of the things he did was make some "precision instruments."           

           All of a sudden I just thought of "Astrology," which my Encyclopedia describes as being "a belief in divinatory practices."  Daisy saw a good tv show about it and, even though our boss doesn't believe in it; she thinks there "might be something to  it."  A Train whistled faintly.           

        

     "HOROSCOPE"                                           STEPHANIE / CRISTINA

         

           Mr. Steve one time told his Niece Cristina he knows wanting to believe things are "fixed" can be "reassuring."  And reading about a better future might help some people deal with stress, but it's not a good idea to "base" everything you do on a "Horoscope."   Heathcliff crowed.          

         Our boss understands why thinking positively is good, but that doesn't guarantee a good result.  There's a reason why Astrology is called a "Pseudoscience," and Newspapers put those    "Disclaimers" right below the section he says.  Anyway, I'll come back to this subject later.           

          Right now, sitting here on you Elvira; the Sun's warmth is making me feel so alive.  And in my head I'm suddenly hearing Antonio Vivaldi's song La Primavera again.  Mr. Steve played it    really loud on his Boombox this morning when he came outside to feed us our breakfasts.                                                      

         "SERENGETI" WATERING HOLE               

                                                                

           A Lizard is over there standing on one of the big boulders Mr. Steve has piled around the bottom of the Mulberry tree.  But the water sank down into the ground so there's nothing left to drink, so it's not like an African Water Hole anymore.  Blackbeard and Anne Bonny flew bye.    

          I so love how water looks when reflecting sunlight.  That makes me think of the morning when Mr. Cliff jokingly called the full water basin below the Mulberry tree a "mini Serengeti."  Sometimes things which normally don't hang around each other will get along for water.              

          Oh!  Mentioning Africa reminds me that I totally forgot to write about those things called "Hippopotamus's" yesterday.  They usually live in water.  Two Wrens flew in, glanced around in a nervous way; saw there was no water so darted off and are going out into the back desert.                                             

       HIPPOPOTAMUS           

                    

         Oh wow!  According to what it says in the caption under a picture of a Hippopotamus, some males can grow to be three tons!  So, that means six thousand pounds in weight total!  If      one ever accidentally stepped on you Dais says, they would kill you just from gravity alone.         

           It's interesting how, it says here in my Encyclopedia "Hippo's" at one time lived all over the whole world.  Wow!  I guess, some of their ancient "Fossils" from thousands of years  ago;      have even been found in what is now England.  Our boss and Mr. Phillip talked about it.               

            Ah!  My Encyclopedia says what Dais heard.  Hippo's have "evolved" special nostrils that aim upward, closing automatically whenever they go under the water.  Wow!  A Hippopotamus is able to "hold its breath" for "five minutes."  Andy's over there sniffing the air right now.             

                       

                DOLPHINS                     "SEA WORLD"          KILLER WHALE "ORCA"          

                                     

        Oh!  I can't wait for my first big break after chapter four, so I can run up front; and tell Daisy Hippopotamus' aren't related to Pigs at all.  It says here how their closest "relatives" are    actually Dolphins and Whales!  Yesterday I wrote about "Sea World" down in San Diego.            

         In the early 1970's, when our boss and his brother Rock visited with their Uncle Marty's family in San Diego; they went to the Zoo and Sea World.  Daisy and I, but only from a distance  of course; would kind of like to smell a "Killer" Whale.   It could eat us for food Dais says.           

          Mr. Steve one time talked with his Niece Stephanie on the phone about Killer Whales, who  which my Encyclopedia says are "air breathing mammals" like us.  Mr. Steve told Steph Killer    Whales are "one of the smartest" things in the ocean.   They even hunt in packs like Wolves.       

  

"GREAT WHITE" SHARK

         This afternoon I'm scheduled to learn about things which live in water, like those "Great White" Sharks I mentioned in book one.  Killer Whales are also called "Orcas," and Daisy and    Millie heard our boss say they kill Great White Sharks.   A Train whistled faintly to my left.         

          Mr. Steve told his Niece Steph when Orcas kill Great White Sharks they only "rip out and eat their livers."  The rest of the body is probably too hard to eat Dais thinks, because their skin  is like "rough sandpaper" from what our boss says.  I smell the new baby Cholla cactus.               

         Daisy says one time she and Millie heard our boss and Mr. Randy talk about these big Fish out in the Oceans called "Marlins."  Like other "Bill" Fish," such as "Sail" and "Sword" Fish's; Marlins have "spear-like" noses.  They're one of the fastest swimming things in the Ocean.                                                                            ERNEST HEMINGWAY (1899-1961)                          "BLUE" MARLIN                          

                                                                                                                      PHOTO BY ANDY HAHN

                  

           That Writer Ernest Hemingway fished for Marlin, and this picture in my Encyclopedia shows him with one he caught off the State of "Florida's" coast.  Wow!  It says here some Marlin can be sixteen feet long, and weight over one thousand pounds.  Two of the Pigeons flew bye.        

            I guess, Marlin's got their name because of their sharp pointy noses, which "resemble" a Sailor's "tool" used to work on the ropes of a Ship.  One of Miss Susan at work's customers in      Florida told her Marlin's "can change color."  Dawn and Blinky are barking to my right.              

           Miss Susan's customer told her how a Sail Fish's "Dorsal" fin, on its back; is "bigger and longer" than a Marlin's "crest" shaped dorsal fin.  Mr. Sakaguchi, our boss's family Doctor in      San Fernando; had hoped to fish for Marlin but never got to.  He did catch a giant "Tuna."                         

CHARLIE HOUGH (FLORIDA "MARLINS")

     

           Daisy heard Miss Susan at work say how her customer's son was a "fan" of the Florida "Marlins" Baseball team.  One reason our boss likes the Oakland A's is because they're the only team with green as the primary color.  I guess, for a time; the Marlins main color was "Teal."   

            Mr. Steve's sister Susan likes teal, which is blue-green; and their mom used shades of teal in some of her paintings.  Mr. Steve faxed his line drawing of the Florida Marlins logo to Miss     Susan's customer so he could make copies and color it.  Boy!  What a beautiful morning.              

         Someone told our boss's father that guy Satchel Paige, in the late 1950's; pitched for this "AAA" level team in "Miami" called the Marlins.  That pro team is now also called the Miami    Marlins too.  At an old age Mr. Satchel played for the Kansas City A's in the early 1960's.                     

"TEAL" COLORED SKY

         

           I've never seen it but Daisy says there have been days during her many years of life when the sky for some reason was teal in color, and it was "so pretty" to look at.  She says, on one of      those days; Millie got scared because it made her feel "kind of weird."  Dawn's barking.               

         One time Dais and I heard Mr. Ivan compliment our boss's mom for raising five kids and then getting a College degree from C.S.U.N.   Boy!  And she did it by getting straight A's and not even one B too.   I smell little Blinky and big Rosie standing next to Dawn over there.                     

         Uncle Marty, Mr. Steve's dad's brother and a medical "Corpsman" in the Vietnam War; got that "M.B.A." College degree from Harvard.  It was that one Corpsman from Canada who    "Saved" Mr. Steve's father's "Frostbitten" feet during the Korean War.  I like Dawn.                                   

     UNCLE MARTY           

                                                            

          I remember that time our boss told Mr. Cliff, who fought in Vietnam; about his Uncle Marty.   As he watered the Mulberry tree he also told him he still has his "tattered" old "Draft Car" from 1973.  If the war had lasted another year Mr. Steve might've had to go fight in it.         

             Oh!  I just thought of that guy Anthony Bourdain, the "Chef" from New York City who I guess is also a good Writer too.  He has a "Travel" tv show like Huell  Howser and Rick Steves so gets to travel around the world and eat all types of food.   Samson and Delilah flew bye.                

           Daisy says in one episode Anthony Bourdain visited South Vietnam so of course ate some of their good food.  Wow!  I totally agree with Dais when she joked about how it must be great to be paid to eat as much as you want with no limit.  A Lizard went running bye out in the dirt.                                     

        ANTHONY BOURDAIN                 

                                        

          I look forward to seeing Anthony Bourdain tv show.  Mr. Steve's mom used to cook a lot when her five kids were growing up.  But, unlike Anthony Bourdain who cooks at a Restaurant; she made food mainly for her family and their friends.  A Train whistled faintly to my left.            

           Daisy and Millie heard our boss tell his mom a while back he had a dream about her soft, thick and fluffy flour tortillas.  He also mentioned how a lady he sold things to volunteers to feed  Victorville's homeless.  That big Dragonfly who was hanging around here yesterday flew bye.      

          Mr. Steve told his mom how, on a "much bigger scale;" the lady from Victorville uses her  recipe for "Potato Soup."   And her "Arroz con Pollo," or "Rice and Chicken;" also resembles    his mom's too I guess.  Mr. Steve has at times given money to that lady who feeds the poor.                                                       STEPHANIE / MR. RICH                   SUSAN                             SAM /YOLANDA                                                                                                                                          

         Yesterday I mentioned a few times how there are good cooks in Mr. Steve's family.  His Niece Steph and Mr. Rich, who both like Anthony Bourdain's tv show; have a Catering business where Mr. Rich even cooks meat slowly under the ground.  I smell Bonnie and Clyde's babies.     

            Mr. Steve's sister Susan back in Connecticut, and his brother Sam and wife Yolanda over there in Littlerock; cook good food according to what Daisy heard.  Mr. Steve likes tamales made the way his mom used to make them for years.  Boy!  That's making me get kind of hungry.         

          Daisy heard Mr. Steve tell his sister Susan on the phone he's had dreams about eating his mom's cooking when they were growing up down in Sylmar.  She made this type of New Mexico  Indian fried bread called "Sopaipilla," and casseroles with green chile.  I smell Mesquite.             

  

                             ROCKY JR. /  MISSS AMBER                        ROCKY JR. / FATHER ROCK / JACOB                                                                                                           STEPHANIE / MR. RICH / CRISTINA

                                          

           Daisy says one time our boss told his brother Rock in Texas it seems like all of his kids, Stephanie, Rocky Jr. and Jacob, unlike himself; have good "business sense."  The same is true of how Rocky and  Amber work together in running their business's.   Heathcliff crowed.                 

            Mr. Steve does not have any tattoos, but is glad a lot more people now are getting them; because his Nephew Rocky Jr. then has a "consistent and reliable" business doing them.  Daisy    heard Mr. Steve and his mom talk about what a good Artist he is.  I like hearing Heathcliff.          

            Stephanie and Mr. Rich have their catering business, good partners in the same way Mr. Steve's Grandparents helped each other.  And everyone did it while raising a family Daisy says.    Sometimes our boss's Niece Cristina goes to help her parents in selling the food they make.          

                           

DRAGPIPE (2002)                                           MR. RICH                    

                             

           I just thought about how some people call Mr. Rich "Richie," especially those who he grew up with back there in the State of "New Jersey."  I someday want to hear that DRAGPIPE album he played guitar on.  I wrote in book one how Mr. Rich's parents are from "Cuba."          

          Thinking about all the meat Mr. Rich cooks slowly is making me kind of hungry, even though we again today had a huge breakfast.  He and Steph sell food at that "Farmer's Market" in "Santa Clarita."  The four Pigeons just flew over Libby's Corral moving to the north.              

           Mr. Rich, being so good at working with his hands and things like that; sets up that big tent where Steph can then sell the food.  He "provides the platform" for her to "execute" their    business Mr. Steve says.  She's more comfortable working "with the public" Daisy thinks.           

   

MISS MARIA / MR. RICH / STEPHANIE 

              I remember that beautiful morning when Mr. Steve's parents drove up here to visit us. As Mr. Steve watered the Mulberry tree up there in the front yard they talked about how Miss    Maria at times helps Steph and Rich with their catering business.  A Train whistled faintly.          

            As I said yesterday in book one, Mr. Steve's mom considers Miss Maria as a "Guardian Angel" in all of the help she's given the family over the years.  Not only is she "dependable and    punctual" Mr. Steve says; she's an "intelligent fast learner" too.   I can smell Arborvitae.              

           Oh!  I just glanced up and see Goliath the Gopher Snake using the thin left vertical gate slot to go out into the back desert behind the Sheds.  Andy, as rigid as a statue; is watching him    do it.  You can really tell he's ready to fight Goliath if necessary in protecting their babies.            

                

GOLIATH      

PHOTO BY MATT JEPSON                

         

        I wish I could stick out my tongue and taste the air the way Snakes can do.  Oh!  I  just noticed that I forgot to write a few more things about those big giant Hippos who live over there  in Africa's Rivers.   Boy!  It's a good thing I caught it in the nick of time before going on.              

          Daisy and Millie saw a good tv show that said some Mammals, like Hippos, Dolphins and Whales; have evolved to live in water so their nostril's face upward.  This lets them go up to the    surface but not "expose" their heads by sticking them out of the water.  Libby whinnied.              

          The tv show said Hippo's are also like Dolphins and Whales in being able to sleep in water by using only "half" of their brains.  That kind of sounds like me too, because of having to live    homeless out in that field; so couldn't "Afford the Luxury" of deep sleep.  I smell Juniper.                                   

       "PREHISTORIC" WHALE         

PAINTING BY ALBERTO GENNARI

    

           Wow!  A really good painting shows what Whales used to look like millions of years ago, when they first went from land out into the Oceans.  And now, they could never go back; but it    doesn't matter because they get more food out in the Oceans Dais thinks.  Dawn's barking.          

        Up in the high blue morning sky are two crisscrossed vapor trails way up there.  That reminds me of another time when Dais and I looked at vapor trails as Dawn was barking.  Hey    God!  Right now feeling the Sun's warmth sinking into me makes me think of You up there.         

           It says here how Hippopotamus' spend about eighty percent of the time in water, mainly because they have "sensitive skin;" just like Mr. Steve and his mom.  For "as much as" sixteen    hours a day they sleep.  A Hippo opens it's mouth really wide and has "razor-sharp" teeth.                            

HIPPOPOTAMUS      

           

         Oh wow!  A picture shows boy Hippo's yelling at each other and the caption says they'll fight over a girl Hippo.  Daisy says Mr. Steve met this man at the Sylmar Library who knew a lot about Africa.  He said Hippos can at times be extremely "aggressive and unpredictable."              

         Another photo shows this man running from a Hippo.  The guy at the Library, who was from South Africa; said Hippo's can "cut you in half" if they get you in their powerful jaws.  On  land Hippo's can run "from twenty to thirty miles per hour even if they look fat" he said.             

      Daisy told me how that man at the Library said Hippo's "herd" together for protection against things like Lions or Crocodiles.  Even though he said, they have a "short fuse" and are    "nervous by nature;" so can "become very violent" themselves.  I'd like to smell a Hippo.                                             

               "RHINOCEROS"               

                                             

        My Encyclopedia says Hippo's are like those "Rhinoceros's," who also live in Africa; in having "poor eyesight."  Daisy says the South Africa man thinks that might be why both can be    "overly aggressive."  Oh wow!  In the photo I see how Rhino's horns could really stab you.         

           Dais says the man saw Hippo's have "bloody" fights.  One time a Bird landed on the back of a big male in a group of resting Hippo's.  It "startled" him, he got angry; so tore a huge hole    out of the neck of the "unfortunate" smaller Hippo who just happened to be next to him.              

          Even though Dais has me mainly scheduled to learn and write about World War I in book three tomorrow, I just thought of how the Italians had a giant cannon called "Hippopotamus."    Dais thinks it would be "interesting" to smell a Hippo, and me too; but from "out of range."                                                  

             EUROPE               

            (WORLD WAR I / 1914-1918)                 

                                                                 

        The caption below a map says when the First World War "broke out" in 1914 France, England and Russia, the "Triple Entente;" were against Germany, Austria-Hungary and Turkey or "Central Powers."  The Triple Entente are also just called the "Allies."  I do like maps.            

            I notice on the map how Spain, just like they did later in World War II; were "Neutral" during World War I.  It says here how, in 1914 Italy had a "treaty" with the Austro-Hungarian    Empire.  Mr. Steve's dad thinks at first they thought the Central Powers would win the war.         

        Once Italy "coldly calculated" the Triple Entente would win the First World War, they "switched sides" from what it says here.  Japan, who would be on Nazi Germany's side later in    World War II; fought on the Allies side in World War I.  Heathcliff just crowed over there.           

  

WORLD WAR I 

                                 

           Another map with red arrows shows how, at the very beginning of the World War I;  the Central Powers were in the middle.  You can see they pushed to the east, west and south too.        Boy!  Again today the weather is warm, which makes me feel good to be here on you Elvira.         

           Just like later in World War II, at first the U.S. was neutral in the First World War.  But, again just like in the Second World War; when America finally did come in its huge "Industrial      Capacity" was the biggest factor in the Allies winning.  I can smell a Lizard around here.          

          The U.S. "entered" World War I on the side of the Triple Entente in early 1917.  A few months later the world changing "Russian Revolution" happened.   That took Russia out of  the war, ended Czarist Russia; and brought in the Communists like Lenin, Trotsky and Stalin.                                                                                              MR. PHILLIP                                              "BRITISH" ISLANDS                                                                

        Daisy says over the years our boss and Mr. Phillip from Wales have talked about the two world wars.   Mr. Phillip's read about Italy changing sides in the First World War, because they    wanted those "Spoils of War" I talked about yesterday in my first book.  Heathcliff crowed.         

          Mr. Phillip said Italy was "selfish and opportunistic" in World War I, but "in history" it's "normal;" as "part of life" on Earth is a "dog eat dog struggle for survival."   I wonder how that saying came about?   Our boss told Mr. Phillip about that hunchback Homer Lea's books.            

        Germany and Italy only became "Nations" in the 19th century but, even before that from the time of Napoléon I earlier; some Italians thought some of their land had been stolen.  Over    the next two days I'm scheduled to learn about "Nationalism."  Our boss thinks it's important.                                                

WORLD WAR I

("ALPINE" CAMPAIGN / AUSTRIA HUNGARY VERSUS ITALY))     

                  

          A good picture shows Italian Soldiers climbing up the "Alps" mountains to fight against the Austro-Hungarians.  It says here they fought in some the most "brutal" conditions in history, so "thousands" would die from the "extreme weather" and "avalanches."  A Crow cawed.           

          Dais and Millie one time were in our boss's bedroom and saw a tv show about the Italians in World War I.  The man on that show mentioned how Germany and Italy, allies in the Second    World War; were on opposite sides in the First World War.  Aha!  I see the Lizard over there.      

         Many know of the World War I battles on the border between France and Germany, or in Eastern Europe.  Fighting on the freezing cold Italian Austria border isn't well known; but was "just as horrible" Mr. Steve's father thinks.   The Lizard is standing on the wall over there.          

    

BENITO MUSSOLINI / ADOLPH HITLER

(JUNE 19, 1940 / MUNICH)

  

          I've said before how Adolph Hitler and Benito Mussolini, later the leaders of "Fascist" Italy and Germany; saw combat in World War I.  Both were wounded, Hitler was gassed.  The      photo in my Encyclopedia shows them reviewing troops right after Hitler conquered France.     

            Dais heard our boss tell Mr. Dave he once bought twelve 8 x 10 black and white prints of this picture of Mussolini and Hitler.   "Had he known" how fast he would sell all of them he'd have gotten two or three dozen.  Boy!  I like the Fascist Eagle on the front of Mussolini's hat.       

          Our boss told Mr. Dave how the worldwide "Nazi memorabilia" market is "huge," with people like Lemmy of MOTÖRHEAD and the STOOGES Guitarist having big collections.  Mr.    Steve has bought and sold replica's of Hitler's "Führer" hat before.  A Train whistled faintly.              

FLOCK OF BIRDS                                                       MR. DAVE          

                     

         I glanced up in time to see this flock of what looks like Pigeons flying bye, moving to the north.  Mr. Dave in New Mexico told our boss one time how he loves watching Birds flying and    "marvels" at their ability to fly.  Heathcliff crowed and I hear his Hens cackling happily.              

         Daisy says the tv show about Italy said both Hitler and Mussolini fought in World War I. But, the difference was; Hitler seemed to "not mind" being in a war, whereas Mussolini didn't really like "hardship and suffering."  Hey God!  I wouldn't want to suffer either I think.               

         According to the tv show, in Italy's war against the Austrians they often fought high up in those "Alps" mountains.  So Dais says, that meant a lot of Soldiers died in those "Avalanches."  Fannie and Freddie, talking to each other; just flew over Libby's Corral moving eastward.                                                

                                                                2013 "AVALANCHE"  

                                           

          From what Daisy heard, an avalanche is when mud or snow is pulled by gravity to fall from a high place to a lower area.  She told me our boss and Miss Susan at work one time talked  about this big "Chevrolet" Truck called an "Avalanche."  Libby just whinnied over there.            

           Miss Susan's customer told her those Avalanche Truck's were made in Mexico, and were only built from 2001 through last year.  He said there were two "generations" of  Avalanche's.  I just glanced up and see two long and slowly extending vapor trails way up there in the sky.           

           Dais says one time this man came to our house in an Avalanche, which is a big Truck she told me.  I guess, Mr. Steve, Miss Babette, Susan and Karin all sell Chevy Truck hats that Mr. Julio then embroiders.  I would have liked that beautiful royal blue Avalanche Daisy thinks.                               

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

           

                 I just thought about how Mr. Steve's father fought in the Korean War, often in either "scorching" hot or "freezing" cold he says.  He got that "Frostbite" in his feet, and the Doctor's wanted to cut them off but luckily for him; he was able to save them.  A Crow is cawing.              

              My Encyclopedia says World War I's "Alpine Front" was called the "Guerra Bianca," or "White War" in Italian.  It was the biggest war ever fought at the "highest altitude," battles    being "waged" at about "12,000 feet above sea level."  Now there's two Crows fighting.                 

             Wow!  During the five years of World War I about "nine million" Soldiers died, twenty one million "wounded."  Up in the Alps each side lost "half a million" dead, and had to dig out    amazing tunnels to live underground.  Mark Ritter,  interested in "Geology;" studied it.                     

        "DOLOMITE" MOUNTAINS                           DÉODAT DE DOLOMIEU (1750-1801)

                                                                                                                                                                PAINTING BY NICOLAS GOSSÉ

              One time Dais and Millie heard our boss talking to Mr. Dave about Mark Ritter.   Had he not died Mark Ritter wanted to visit northeast Italy to see the really hard rock "Dolomite"      mountains, which he had read about; and are part of the "Alps."  A Train whistled faintly.           

             My Encyclopedia says the "rock itself," and mountain range too; are named for French "Mineralogist" and "Geologist" Déodat de Dolomieu.  In the late 18th century he went to Italy     and studied the hard "sedimentary" rock in that part of the Alps.  Andy's looking at me.              

            A few years ago I guess Mr. Steve met a Swiss lady who knew about the Alps, and how that guy Hannibal crossed them with Elephants from Spain that time.  She and her husband and their kids visited the Dolomite mountains.  "Hard rocks and pretty lakes" she told our boss.                                                                

                        WORLD WAR I            ERWIN ROMMEL (1891-1944)        WORLD WAR II                               

                                                                                           

          Later today I'll write about that guy Erwin Rommel.  In World War I he was sent by the Germans to help the Austro-Hungarian Soldiers fight the Italians way up there in the mountains between Austria and Italy.  Two Pigeons just flew bye and are now going over Libby's Corral.      

           In the Second World War Erwin Rommel became one of the best Generals in history, just as smart "Strategically" and "Tactically" as Robert E. Lee.  In North Africa, the British feared    him; so called him the "Desert Fox."  I guess he really knew how to use "Armor," or Tanks.         

         Boy!  I'm tempted to look up that guy Mr. Irwin right now but I'd better just wait and do according to the outline Daisy and I prepared.  We know he must have been special just because of how our boss's father has talked about him.  Andy's over there sniffing the air right now.               

GEORGIA O' KEEFE        SAMANTHA / MISS PEGGY                 MR. MARK       

                

           I just thought of how our boss's Niece Samantha was born on November 15th, just like Erwin Rommel.  That Painter Georgia O'Keefe, and Mr. Mark over there in Hawaii; also have    that same date as their birthday.  In Astrology that makes them what's called "Scorpio's.              

             Scorpion's represent the "Zodiac" sign for November the 15th I notice.  I wonder if there will be a lot of Scorpions around here this Summer, because I'm kind of afraid of them; even if I guess the ones who live in our area are big but not that aggressive.  Heathcliff crowed.                   

           Boy!  Today the weather is way warmer than it was last year on March 21, or second day of Spring.  Hey God!  That's why Daisy is so right in telling me to be grateful, and hope maybe    it's You up there trying to help me out down here.   And I am really grateful for things too.           

        

 2014 MAHINDRA "SCORPIO"          

               

         One time Daisy and Millie were in our boss's office and heard him talking to his customer Mr. Harry up there in Northern California.  Mr. Harry is originally from the country of "India" but is now a "Mitsubishi" Parts Manager.  A flock of Birds is flying over Libby's Corral.              

       Mr. Harry told our boss about this Indian Car company called "Mahindra."   They make one of those "Sports Utility Vehicles" which runs on diesel fuel called the "Scorpio," or "Goa."   Agh!  A breeze came in from the desert behind the Sheds, which makes me feel good.                    

         Ugh!  I just noticed that I forgot to write about one more thing having to do with the name "Hippopotamus."  That's a gigantic World War I Italian cannon Mr. Ivan read about when he      was stationed over in West Germany after World War II.  It was called the Hippopotamus.                                                                            "HIPPOPOTAMUS" GUN                                             MR. IVAN                                          ("ADAMELLO" RIDGE)            

                    PHOTO BY STEFANO TORRIONE                                   

                                  

          My Encyclopedia says in 1915 Italian Soldiers "broke bones and died" getting that huge "Howitzer" cannon up to the top of this mountain.  I guess they called it the "Hippopotamus"    because it was so heavy.  I've mentioned how Howitzers shoot at a higher "Trajectory."              

       When the First World War ended in 1918 Mr. Ivan said, the Italians just "left" that big cannon up there on the mountain and it's still there.  It would've just "taken too much effort" to get it back down.  I just noticed Cher sleeping up there on Moe the middle Shed's roof.                  

           Daisy says one time our boss told Mr. Ivan about Mark Ritter who died, and how he read about the "Three Peaks of Levaredo;" which are near the border between Italy and Austria.  In  my Encyclopedia it says in Italian they're called "Tre Cime di Lavaredo."  I smell Cher.               

    

THREE PEAKS OF "LAVAREDO"

 (SOUTH "TYROL" / "ALPS" MOUNTAINS) 

PHOTO BY JOÃO PETERSEN

            The caption below a picture of those three Italian Alps "Peaks" says how they "straddle" the border between Italy and Austria.  During World War I, because of their height; the Italians  used them as "improvised makeshift" watch towers.  Peak is another name for mountain.             

        Mark Ritter read, and my Encyclopedia says; those three peaks in Italy are part of the Dolomite rock formations that guy Déodat de Dolomieu studied back in the late 18th century.   I  just noticed Cher woke up and is now going out into the back field.  Andy's watching her.             

          I can tell Mr. Ivan knows about the "Mexican War" just by listening to he and our boss talk about it.  That one morning, as Mr. Steve watered the trees; they talked about Robert E.      Lee.  Smelling Bonnie and Clyde's babies up there is making me feel so good right now.               

                  

          MEXICAN WAR           ROBERT E. LEE              CIVIL WAR                     

(1807-1870)     

      

           Yesterday I learned a lot about the 1840's Mexican War, and in chapter three Daisy has me scheduled to write all about the American Civil War that happened about twelve years later.  Robert E. Lee fought in both wars.  And so did a lot of other guys too, as I'll write about.              

            Mr. Ivan mentioned what it says here in this Encyclopedia too.  Before the 1847 Mexican War "Battle of Cerro Gordo," that guy Robert E. Lee was given the job of lifting artillery to the top of some high mountain cliffs.  Fannie and Freddie, talking to each other; flew bye.                  

            Oh!  This is a good time to learn and write about that guy Edward Fitzgerald Beale, who I was supposed to find out about in book one but missed it on my outline.  Dais and Millie saw a  good tv show about him.  Mr. Ivan joked how "someone should make a movie about him."           

    

EDWARD FITZGERALD BEALE (1822-1893)

        

           The tv show said Edward Fitzgerald Beale is important to the history of California and the U.S.   My Encyclopedia says he owned what is now "Tejon Ranch," near Bakersfield; and      "exhibited great courage" during the Mexican War.  Libby just whinnied over there.                     

          Wow!  During his lifetime that man Mr. Edward was an Army "General," later a Navy "Admiral" too.  In the 1870's he was an "Ambassador," or "Diplomat;" representing the U.S.    back there in the country of "Austria-Hungary."  He spoke a few different languages.                  

         I understand why Mr. Ivan said to make a movie about Mr. Edward.  It says here during the 1850's, as the Federal Government's "Indian Affairs Agent" here in California; "unlike most other superintendents" was "humane" in his dealings with Native People.   I smell Andy.             

      

          "KIT" CARSON                                         WILLIAM WING LORING    

  (1809-1868)                                                           (1818-1886)     

     

        Yesterday in book one I wrote about those two guys "Kit" Carson, and William Wing Loring who Mr. Steve researched back in College at C.S.U.N.  They both fought in the Mexican War too, and Mr. Edward was Kit Carson's "close friend."  Andy's such a good guard.                 

          It says here in the 1830's, 1840's and 1850's, as a "frontier scout" with Kit Carson; Mr. Edward "explored" and "pioneered" land routes from places like the Midwest or Arizona out    here to California.  Boy!  Smelling the baby Cholla cactus is making me feel good.                        

          This is interesting how, a "section" of the road coming from New Mexico called "Beale's Wagon Road;" a century later was part of "Route 66."  Mr. Randy, who lived there; knew it was Mr. Edward who found the way to come out here from "Arkansas."  Heathcliff crowed.                

                             1850'S "CAMEL EXPERIMENT"        MR. STEVE  (JERICHO)                   CAMEL CARAVAN                                                                                                                       

         In book one I wrote about that pre-Civil War U.S. Government "Camel Experiment."   And, it was that man Edward Fitzgerald Beale who took a big part in it; "leading caravans" of     Camels to California from Texas in the 1850's.  Daisy and I would like to smell a Camel.              

         Mr. Edward "proved empirically" Camels, who don't need nearly as much water as any Donkey, Horse or Mule; can also carry more weight too.  Mr. Steve and his sister Susan, back in 1985; rode that big Camel in Israel.  Andy's now looking over here in this direction.                       

          William Wing Loring, in Texas; saw Mr. Edward's Camel stand up from it knees and walk around with more weight than Donkeys, Horses or Mules could do.  Mr. Edward had Camels at  "Fort Tejon."  Mr. William was born on December 4th like our boss's Niece Stephanie.                                        COMPLETION OF "TRANSCONTINTAL" R.R.                                             FREIGHT TRAIN                                               ("PREMENTORY, UTAH / 1869)                                                                           (CALIFORNIA HIGH DESERT)                                                               

            Oh wow!  Just as I read a Edward Fitzgerald Beale "surveyed" route became part of the "Transcontinental" Railroad in 1869; a Train whistled.  In 1848 when gold was discovered here in California, Mr. Edward took the first samples back to Washington D.C.  I smell Sage.             

           Daisy said the man on the tv show called that guy Mr. Edward a "frontiersman."   Mr. Ivan and our boss that morning talked about the "Newhall Pass," which Mr. Steve drives back    and forth through every time he goes down to Sylmar.  Mr. Rick's office is near there.                   

          It says here what Mr. Ivan also mentioned too, how in 1862 Mr. Edward "supervised" Chinese Workers in "widening" a road through that mountain which go into Sylmar or the San Fernando Valley.  Wow!  It was even called "Beale's Cut."  Rosie has such a nice scent. 

                        HUELL HOWSER'S "CALIFORNIA GOLD"  

(VISITS "OASIS" CAMEL FARM / "RAMONA," CALIFIORNIA)                  

                                                 

         Daisy says Huell Howser visited Mr. Edward's "Tejon Ranch," and later "Oasis Camel Ranch."  It's in a town called "Ramona," which is to the east of that city of "San Diego."  Our    house is located here on "Oasis" Road, and Daisy's Guardian Angel is named "Ramona."            

          Of course Daisy who loves being petted, noticed on Huell Howser's tv show how a baby boy Camel named "Gulliver" really liked it too; even wagging his tail the way I do.  I guess, to    be friendly; Camels smell you separately with each nostril.  I smell Spring Mesquite.                    

          Mr. Steve and his parents, who saw that Huell Howser segment; talked about how huge adult Camels are.  Mr. Steve jokes being seven or eight feet "above the ground" on a Camel's      back is "not at all like being up there on a Horse."  Samson and Delilah just now flew bye.                                     

 ARCHIE MOORE                                                       SAN DIEGO        

          I remember how on that morning Mr. Ivan and our boss's father talked about a Boxer named Archie Moore.  I guess he had a "Training Camp" in Ramona where the Camel Ranch is located.  Rudy the Roadrunner used the right vertical gate slot to go into the back desert.            

          On separate occasions back in the 1950's, Mr. Ivan and Mr. Steve's father visited Archie Moore's facility; where many famous Boxers have worked out at.  Mr. Steve's dad agreed with    Mr. Ivan in saying how Archie Moore was "great."  Andy's over there sniffing the air.                   

      Mr. Ivan and our boss's father got to shake hands with Archie Moore, who was a very friendly person.  They'd both seen or listened to many of his famous fights, like against that guy  Rocky Marciano for instance.  I'll find out more about Mr. Archie over the next two days.             

                                                                                         "DECATUR" HOUSE          WASHINGTON D.C.      "LINCOLN MEMORIAL"                              

   PHOTO BY BRUCE WHITE                                                                                                                 PHOTO BY STEVE CÓRDOVA     

     

         I remember that morning when our boss and his parents told Mr. Ivan about visiting the city of " Washington D.C." back in 2008.  They saw a house Edward Fitzgerald Beale's family    lived in for a few years.  Much of the family also went to see that "Lincoln Memorial" too.         

       Daisy told me how that tv show about Mr. Edward said his "Decatur House" mansion in Washington D.C. is "one of the oldest" houses in Washington D.C.  It was a "gathering place"    for many Politicians, like President Ulysses S. Grant for instance.  I can smell Juniper.                  

          Some of the members of Mr. Steve's family visited the "Smithsonian Institution" in 2008, so saw skeletons of giant ancient Camels.  The husband and wife couple at the Camel Ranch told Huell Howser Camels actually "originated" here in "North America."  A Lizard ran bye.                                                            "ARABIAN" CAMEL                                 "LAWRENCE OF ARABIA (1962)                                                                 

           Mr. Hussein, who has that coffee shop down there in Sylmar; knows about the "Arabian" type Camels he saw growing up in Egypt.  Those were the type on Huell Howser's segment and    shown on that "Lawrence of Arabia" movie.  Boy!  Mr. Steve really likes that old movie.               

        Daisy heard Huell Howser say he read 10,000 year old Camel "fossils" were found in the L.A. Basin, which was when that last Ice Age was ending.  I mentioned how "Eohippus the tiny    Horse lived during that period too.  Someday I'll see some Huell Howser episodes.                         

       Today in this second long book Dais has me scheduled to learn a lot about the American Civil War in the next chapter, and then World War II in chapters four, five and six.  When in        Washington D.C. in 2008 Mr. Steve family visited the war memorials.  Dawn's barking.                

                                              (FEBRUARY 23, 1945)             IWO JIMA                 (JULY , 2008)                

                    (FLAG RAISING)                                           (MR. STEVE'S DAD / SAMANTHA/ ROCK)    

           PHOTO BY JOE ROSENTHAL                                                                                             PHOTO BY STEVE CÓRDOVA                     

         

       In 2008 our boss's family saw the giant statue built in honor of the 1945 "Battle of Iwo Jima."  That was when guys in the "First Marine Division," which Mr. Steve's dad was later in;  raised an American flag on a hill.  Boy!  How can you even make such a huge sized statue?           

          That "flag-raising" at Iwo Jima was on February 23rd, also our boss's father's birthday.  I've mentioned how Mr. Steve's Nephew Dalton was born on February 2nd, Mr. Rich on the 16th and Miss Harriet on the 19th.  Grandma Cordova's birthday was February the 24th.                     

     Oh!  That Dragonfly just zoomed in and landed on a boulder around the bottom of the Mulberry tree.  I heard it coming in my right ear from over there near Libby's Corral.  But, it's  too late because all of the water in the basin is now gone and has absorbed into the ground.                            

                                                            THE BEATLES (1967)      

                           

             Seeing the Sun to the east makes me remember Mr. Steve playing that BEATLES' song "Here Come the Sun" on his Boombox.  Daisy likes that song, which our boss thinks has Indian influences in it.  I mentioned a few times already how the BEATLES are from England.  

           Here Comes the Sun uses one of those "Moog" synthesizers, has a "Clapping" part; and mentions a "long cold lonely Winter."  We had a cold Winter around here too in Piñon Hills.  A little Sparrow carrying a long twig in its mouth just went running bye out there in the dirt.

          The BEATLES 1967 album was called "Sergeant Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band."  In the picture I like the BEATLES colorful uniforms, would definitely wear the blue one; and know for sure Daisy would like the red one.   I really, really like how shoulder epaulets look. 

                 

   "SERGEANT PEPPER'S LONELY HEART'S CLUB BAND"

PHOTO BY PETER BLAKE             

                     

              I guess the 1967 BEATLES album shows the BEATLES posing in front of a big collage of people they thought were important.  I mentioned yesterday in my first book how Mr. Steve did a BEATLES logo line drawing, and has created many collages over the years.  I smell Sage.

          Oh!  One image behind the BEATLES was of that guy Aldous Huxley who lived in Llano.  I wrote about him yesterday, and know he'll come up again over these next two days too.  He was George Orwell's "French" Teacher at "Eton" College over there in England Daisy heard. 

           A tv show called the 1967 BEATLES album cover a "pop art classic," with "Surrealistic" elements.  Mr. has a vinyl copy of that album and thinks "every song is good" on it.  Hey Lord!    You were originally in the collage but they decided against You and Mahatma Gandhi too.     

          

HITLER IN ORIGINAL COLLAGE

         

               Dais told me how the man on the tv show said that guy Hitler was also going to be in the BEATLES album cover too.  But, I guess they decided it might be way too "controversial."  Mr. Steve thinks Adolph Hitler's "aesthetic" taste is still influencing things in art "to this day."

           Writers like Stephen Crane, Edgar Allen Poe and H.G. Wells are shown on the BEATLES' big collage, and so is Marilyn Monroe too.  The tv show said the BEATLES' songs on that album were "musically innovative" Dais told me.  I'll learn about Stephen Crane in chapter three.

            I guess, in the final version of the album cover that guy Albert Einstein ended up being blocked out by John Lennon, and the Actress Bette Davis is behind George Harrison.  Mr. Steve was told it took three hundred hours of work to make that album.  A Train whistled faintly.   

                     

"WATTS TOWERS"                                  SIMON RODIA (1879?-1965)   

           

                I remember that one morning when our boss and Mr. Chris talked about the "Watts Towers."  I guess, for about thirty three years, from 1921 through 1954; this Italian man named Simon Rodia built seventeen tall towers.  He's also shown in the BEATLES 1967 collage too.

               Mr. Chris, who gets us things like my three blankets Barry, Robin and Maurice; grew up in "Watts" near Simon Rodia's sculptures.  Daisy told me it was Mr. Chris who got us those two amazing refrigerator machines.  Dais and I both really like when Mr. Chris comes over.

              One time our boss told Mr. Chris about Judy Baca, his Art Teacher at Alemany High School; who supervised the creation of that "Great Wall" mural I wrote about yesterday.    Judy Baca grew up in Watts too.  Frida and Diego just flew bye and are moving toward the east.                                         

JUDY BACA                                                         MR. RALPH        

              

           Judy Baca moved from Watts to Pacoima, where Richie Valens and Mr. Bobby are from too.  Mr. Ralph, from what Daisy heard; at one time worked in Watts for the city of Los Angeles.  Boy God!  I really love my blankets Barry, Robin and Maurice so thank Your for Mr. Chris.         

          All of a sudden I just thought about how good my three blankets feel and smell after Mr. Steve washes and then dries them in those astounding Washer and Dryer machines.  I just now    noticed Andy over there sniffing the air.  He's alertly guarding the entrance to their burrow.         

         Daisy says our boss told Mr. Ralph about this "Photo Exhibit" he and Miss Harriet saw  down at the Watts Towers in the late 1980's.  The pictures were taken in Africa by that other Mr. Dave from when he lived in "Kenya."  I've mentioned how Mr. Dave's a good Photographer.                                        

  MR. DAVE                                             GIRL IN KENYA       

                                                                                                                         PHOTO BY DAVE BLUMENKRANTZ

       

           I guess, our boss has this Kenyan flag Mr. Dave sent him from Africa.  Mr. Ralph called the Watts Towers' area "South Central," and said the Watts Towers are called "Nuestra Pueblo" or "Our Town" in Spanish.  Simon Rodia is next to Bob Dylan on the BEATLES' album.              

           Mr. Steve still has photos sent by Mr. Dave when he was living in "Kenya."   One shows a guy with "Elephantitus," which Dais says means parts of your body get "enlarged."  A Car or Truck just went driving bye out there on Primavera Road, and left dust lingering in the air.         

       Daisy told me in the photo of the man with Elephantitis his foot is gigantic, Mr. Steve's father using the word "grotesque" in seeing it.   When people get depressed our boss shows them the picture and asks, "Would you trade places with this guy?"   They have Hippo's in Kenya.                             

LOS ANGELES "GANGS" 

("SOUTH CENTRAL" / "CRIPS"-"BLOODS")

   

        Oh what the heck.  Even though I'm not really scheduled to write about the gangs down there in "South Central" Los Angeles until tomorrow in book three, thinking about those Watts    Towers kind makes me feel like doing it now too.  Blackbeard and Anne Bonny flew bye.             

          I remember the morning last Summer when our boss was watering the big Mulberry tree up there in the front yard.  Mr. Chris, who grew up in Watts; was here and they talked about the two main gangs there.  The older one is called the "Crips," and they use blue as their color.          

      Mr. Chris said when he was about twelve a gang called the "Bloods," who's color is red; wanted him to join them.  But his mom told him not to, because she knew a lot of guys who had    died or were "doing time" in prison.  I can smell the baby Cholla cactus growing over there.                               HIGH DESERT "CHOLLA" CACTUS 

                             

         Ah!  I just noticed that Wren building its Spring nest in those Cholla cactus's out in the field behind the Sheds.  That reminds me of this morning when the Sun first popped up over the eastern  horizon.  Boy!  Wrens are smart to build their nests in Cholla cactus's for protection.      

           Mr. Chris told our boss one reason he moved up here to the High Desert was to get out of having to join the Bloods.  He said most Watts Bloods are guys, but he's noticed now there are a  few girls in there too.  The Crips and Blood each have their own "hand signals" or "signs."          

         Daisy and Millie saw a tv show about the Crips and Bloods, which I guess Mr. Chris saw too because he and our boss talked about it.  The man on the tv show mentioned what Mr. Chris said, how some Blood groups are called "Sets."  I smell Theodora's Creosote bush over there.                      

 1965 LOS ANGELES "WATTS RIOTS"

                  

          Tomorrow is when I'll mainly write about that guy O.J. Simpson, who I've mentioned was born on our boss's birthday.  That's also when I find out about the 1992 "Rodney King" riots.  I guess, in 1965 there were some big riots that broke out in Watts; where Mr. Chris grew up.           

     Mr. Bobby the Boxer, and also his step brothers Danny and Johnny; talked with our boss about those violent Rodney King riots.  That's because Rodney King was beaten up by the Police in "Lake View Terrace," near to where their parents have their house.  Heathcliff crowed.            

       The tv show said what Mr. Chris mentioned too, how the Crips and Bloods "developed" after those riots of 1965.  Tomorrow I'll also learn about that other group the "Black Panthers."  I'm so tempted to do it now but I'd better just do it in book three the way Dais and I planned.                     

  "BIGGIE SMALLS (1972-1997)          TUPAC SHAKUR (1971-1996)

     

          The tv show talked about that "East coast West coast" rivalry I wrote about yesterday, when Rap Singer Tupac Shakur was shot in Las Vegas, after seeing a Mike Tyson fight.  Then,      "Biggie" Smalls was killed; maybe "In Revenge."  His nickname was "Notorious B.I.G."             

         Last Summer I remember Mr. Chris saying he heard it was "Compton's"  Crip's who killed "Tupac."  Then, a year later, as he visited L.A.; Mr. Chris said the Bloods "got Biggie" as  he left the "Peterson Automotive Museum."  A Train whistled faintly over there to the north.       

             Mr. Chris was told earlier in the evening of the Tyson fight Tupac, who "identified" with the Bloods; fought with a Crip at this Casino.  Mr. Chris said, "What was Biggie thinking?  He "had to know" the Bloods thought he "had Tupac whacked."  But "he came here anyway."          

       

"VIETNAM" WAR    

     

        Mr. Chris said he and his friends noticed, in the mid-1970's; guys who fought in Vietnam came back and started the Bloods to "fight" the Crips.  They had all gone to "Centennial" High  School.  The Bloods logo is a "five-pointed" star  or crown from what Mr. Chris told our boss.     

        I remember when Mr. Chris said he and his friends once met a Blood from the east coast who had "Dog Paw Marks" on his shoulder.   That meant he had three round scars, from being    burned by a cigarette in "proving he was dedicated" to the gang.  Frida and Diego flew bye.         

           From what the tv show said, and Mr. Chris agreed with; the Bloods made a lot of money in the 1980's by selling drugs like "Crack" cocaine.  He said the biggest insult to a Crip, which    gets them really mad; is to draw their logo upside down on a wall.  I smell some Mesquite.            

                      

ETTA JAMES (1938-2012)      

       

        Daisy says the morning Mr. Chris delivered the refrigerator in the garage to us he stayed and talked with our boss, helping him load up Rex with things to take to the dump.  They talked about that Singer Etta James, who was born in Watts.  A Train whistled faintly to my left.             

         Mr. Chris said Etta James sang in Nightclubs at twelve, and when she died two years ago; was buried in Inglewood near the Forum.  When Mr. Chris said her first "hit" was in 1955 our    boss told him he was born in that same year too.  Samson and Delilah just went flying bye.           

         When Mr. Chris brought over the refrigerator, he set it up near the back of the garage; next to the utility room; and Daisy's special area.  That's when our boss gave  him that "Crank Lift" so now he doesn't have to use his pure physical strength as much.    Mr. Chris is really strong.        s.jpg” style=”width: 300px; height: 350px;” /> 

ELVIS PRESLEY (1935-1977)

                  

            Mr. Chris told our boss Etta James' "real" first name was "Jamesetta," so "they just switched it around."   She used to tell people how "polite" Elvis Presley was when she met him.  According to Mr. Chris she sang "all kinds" of songs, from Gospel to Soul and Jazz too.               

            From what Mr. Chris said, Miss Etta worked for that Chicago company called "Chess Records;" who "ripped her off."   She was often "low on money" and poor Mr. Chris told our      boss.  Max the Hummingbird just whizzed bye and is now flying toward the northeast.                  

             Dais says Mr. Dave likes Miss Etta's 1950's songs , and so does Mr. Steve's parents too.   Mr. Mark read how many, "if not most" Musicians in those days; were "exploited" and "taken    complete advantage of."   A lot of them were black like Etta James Mr. Mark has noticed.                                              WITH WIFE KIM                            MR. MARK                      WITH SONS TAJ / DYLAN             

           

            I just thought of Mr. Mark's family over there living in Hawaii, his wife Kim and sons, Taj and Dylan.  Someday I really want to hear the different songs Mr. Mark has done, where he  plays all of the instruments himself.   A Car or Truck went bye out there on Primavera Road.       

          Our boss told Mr. Mark about his father's Stockbroker school, and how he thinks that  "overall" the "Capitalist" economic system is usually "preferable" to "Socialism."  It "lends      itself" to creating a "middle class," but also "encourages greed."  Heathcliff just crowed.             

            Mr. Dave listened on the Inernet to Mr. Mark's one man band BLUE TURBAN STONE. He also read Mr. Mark's Newspaper the "Big Island Reporter" too, and was really impressed at how much work it must take to run it.  I smell Bonnie and Clyde's babies up there in the nest.      

   

     RUDY THE ROADRUNNER                                                 MR. MIKE                     

             Ah!  Rudy ran bye with a dead Lizard, and Birds sit on the big boulders around the bottom of the Mulberry tree.  Daisy jokes they're hoping water will "miraculously reappear"      but, they'll just have to wait until tomorrow morning.  Mr. Mike likes watching Birds.                 

             Boy You Guys!  I feel grateful to have this project to work on, and just being down here on Elvira with my three blankets Barry, Robin and Maurice is so great.  Elvira, Daisy will again  sleep out here with us tonight so we can discuss todays book.  She'll then give me advice.               

        Well, it's back to chapter two.  The next thing on this outline is a man named Edward Leedskalnin who, like Simon Rodia who built the Watts Towers; was an "Immigrant" too. Over  twenty eight years, he built the "Coral Castle" in Florida; which seems to "Defy Physics."                                    

                          "CORAL CASTLE"                               EDWARD LEEDSKALNIN (1886-1951)                              PHOTO BY MONICA 666                                                                                                                      

                                                                                                                                                                                                   

           Mr. Steve's customer near Miami once joked how Ed Leedskalnin's Coral Castle in the city of "Homestead" is "not a castle," and "isn't made out of coral."  Mr. Steve told him the old    joke about the Medieval "Holy Roman Empire" not being holy, Roman or even an empire.        

              I guess, in 1920; Ed Leeskalnin came to America from "Latvia."  Dais heard how he was "dumped" by this girl he was to marry, so built his Coral Castle to take his mind off of that and  not be depressed.   Mr. Steve was also kind of sad when Miss Harriet broke up with him too.        

           Wow!  My Encyclopedia says that guy Ed Leedskalnin "quarried, sculpted and erected" "over one thousand tons" of Limestone to make his castle, and didn't use any cement.  Latvia is    one of the northern European countries near the "Baltic Sea."  A little Finch flew bye.                 

                                 

      BUILDING "TOOLS"         

                                   

             I guess Ed Leedskalnin was five feet tall and only weighed one hundred pounds.  So I guess some said he must've had "Magical" powers to have done what he did.  But, our boss told Mr. Chris, like Mr. Chris does; he most likely simply knew how to use tools and "Leverage."       

             Mr. Steve thinks it was probably "hard work" using those six mechanical devices, and not "mysticism" that created Coral Castle.  That guy Thomas Edison said his work  was, "One    percent inspiration and ninety nine percent perspiration."  Heathcliff crowed to my right.            

             Daisy says one time she was in Mr. Steve's office and heard him tell his Nephew Dalton about the Coral Castle.  That was because Dalton was over there in southern Florida at the time.  Fannie and Freddie, talking to each other; are flying over Libby's Corral going eastward.                  

           STEPHANIE / RICH                               MR. RICH IN DRAGPIPE

                                                                 

           I just thought of our boss's Niece Stephanie's boyfriend Mr. Rich, or "Richie" as some people call him.  He, and Mr. Chris who got us our blankets; know how to use leverage to move    heavy things.  I smell Andy over there guarding their burrow, which makes me feel good.              

             When he brought our kitchen refrigerator to the house Mr. Chris, who's so strong; did it by hand.  So Mr. Steve gave him that "Crank Lift" device in the garage, which he said was just    "collecting dust" anyway.  Mr. Chris uses it now all the time and is grateful to our boss.                

          Mentioning those two guys Simon Rodia and Ed Leedskalnin makes me think of a giant World War II German "Crane."  It was captured by the Allies and after the war was shipped to  "Long Beach" Harbor where it was used until 1992.  Now it's down at the Panama Canal.                                     

         WORLD WAR II                                                             LONG BEACH HARBOR (1980)          

  "HERMAN THE GERMAN" CRANE ("SCHWIMMKRAN nr.1")      

                      

        My Encyclopedia has two photos of that huge crane built by the Nazis, which the caption says was renamed "Herman the German" by the Americans.  A black and white picture shows it lifting a big Boat right out of the water.  Frida and Diego just now flew over Libby's Corral.         

      Wow!  A color picture shows Herman the German about to lift that giant wooden Plane called the "Spruce Goose."  I mentioned the Spruce Goose in my first book, and will learn a lot    more about it tomorrow when I write about that guy Howard Hughes.  Daffy's quacking.             

           Herman the German is a "three hundred and fifty ton floating crane."  In World War II it was used to lift heavy "U-Boat" Submarines out of the water so they could be worked on.  As I said in book one yesterday, the World War II Nazi Navy was called the "Kriegsmarine."                                             

ROMAN ENGINEERING      

 ARTWORK BY PETER CONNOLLY                                                                                                   PHOTO BY STEVE CÓRDOVA                   

       

      Yesterday I wrote about how the ancient Romans used "Engineering" for war and also peacetime.  In 1985, when the St. Ferdinands Tour Group was in Israel; they saw the remains of that Roman aqueduct near King Herod's coastal city of "Caesarea."   Andy's looking at me.         

          In 1985 Mr. Steve's dad was impressed by the Roman engineering they saw.  In the city of Rome they visited the Emperor Vaspasian's big "Colloseum," that "Appian Way" road; and the "Pantheon."  Hey Lord!  I guess St. Paul used all those Roman roads to tell people about You.     

      Boy!  Daisy is so right in thinking the ancient Romans must've been really good builders, because some of their bridges and aqueducts are still standing to this very day.  As they walked    around the Colloseum everyone in the Tour Group was so amazed.  I smell Andy over there.         

                

  "COLLOSEUM"                        ROME                        MARY BEARD       

         I really look forward to someday seeing that lady Mary Beard's tv shows about ancient Rome.  Daisy tells me she seems like such a smart person, and it's obvious our boss sure likes to    hear her talk; so he can learn new things.  Samson and Delilah are flying bye, going east.              

         Looking at the desert behind the Sheds, I also see the dirt path in front of the fence Dais and I carved out.  And, all the Birds flying back and forth over the desert is making me think of that other evening last Summer when Daisy and I sat back here on the Patio.  I smell Sage.           

          Dais thinks, if our boss could borrow Mr. Peabody's "Way Back" time machine; he'd go  go see 1st century A.D. Rome for sure.  Mr. Steve and his dad have talked about the really good    weapons the ancient Romans had.  This often gave them some big advantages in their wars.                       

            "CATAPULT"                                                    "BALLISTA"      

                                                                                                                             ARTWORK BY RAYMOND CLEMENT

          

            I mentioned yesterday how over there to my right, on the other side of the sliding glass door; is that miniature "Catapult."  It's one of the things that are sitting on the divider between    this dining room and the kitchen.  Heathcliff crowed and his Hens sound happy again today.      

          Boy!  With catapults the Romans could launch heavy stones to knock down walls, and using those arrow-firing "Ballista's" they could kill you from really far away.  When they went    to "Masada" in 1985 the Tour Guide Haim talked about "Siege Engines."  I smell Creosote.         

         The painting in my Encyclopedia shows an ancient Roman unit operating one of those ballista's.  Ugh!  You can see how in a war this giant arrow could suddenly come flying in to kill    you.  Samson and Delilah are flying over Libby's Corral and moving toward the northeast.          

        

                    105 MM "HOWITZER"          "KOREAN" WAR              "UNDER FIRE"                                       

  

              I just thought of how, back in1951 during the Korean War; our boss's dad's job was to tell the cannons where to shoot.  Mr. Steve's father has wondered what a Roman General, like      Julius Caesar; would think of modern artillery?   He'd probably be impressed I think.                  

             One time Mr. Steve and his dad talked about how, many things being dual in nature; if the Romans conquered you it was "bad and good."  They took all your things and killed a lot of        you but, in the "Long Run;" you got good things.  Mary Beard talked about it Daisy says.      

             Now I have to find out about an old  math "Formula" called the "Fibonacci Sequence."  My Encyclopedia says since the 1200's it's been used to see how things are "formed" in nature and also areas like music, art and architecture.  Ah! I can smell some Beavertail cactus's.            

                                    

    LEONARDO DA PISA (1170-1240?)         

                      

      I just looked up this Italian Mathematician named Leonardo da Pisa.  As I've written, in Spanish "de" in front of a last name means "from."  In Italian "da" is used in the same way too.  Like Mr. Steve, it says here Leonardo da Pisa "saw much significance" in the number 3.               

         Leonardo da Pisa "introduced" the Fibonacci Sequence to Europe even though it was first thought of way back in 6th century A.D. India.  It's definition is, "Any number that is the sum of the two preceding  numbers.  Examples would be, 0+1=1, 1+1=2, 1+2=3, 3+2=5 etc.                    

       Daisy told me Mr. Grant knows about that Fibonacci Sequence.  It says here Leonardo da Pisa was, "One of the most talented of the western mathematicians to emerge from the Middle      Ages."  Unlike his dad and Grandma Trujillo; Mr. Steve says he "just gets bye" in math.                                                                          

  LEONARDO DA VINCI (1452-1519)  

SELF-PORTRAIT        

                  

           I guess Leonardo da Vinci, living during Europe's "Renaissance;" used the Fibonacci Sequence in drawing the human body.  Daisy heard Mr. Grant tell our boss that formula was a    part of the "plot" in a book called the "Da Vinci Code."  I can now smell Andy over there.          

        Mr. Steve's mom studied the Fibonacci Sequence in College at C.S.U.N., and so did his his sister Susan for "Interior Design."  Their dad taught people to be "Stockbrokers" and used it in their study of "Technical Analysis" in "Market Replacement Levels."   Dawn's barking.               

        My Italian Dictionary says "Fibonacci" means "Son of Bonacci."  Leonardo da Pisa is also known for, in the "Western" world; "replacing the ancient Roman numbering system" with the "Hindu-Arabic" system "now used" in banking and accounting.  It's way better I guess.                                      

      FIBONACCI        

                            

          In my first book I wrote about how, in the 1980's; Mr. Steve took pictures of bands from Los Angeles like WALL OF VOODOO.  But, one band also around then he didn't take pictures    of was called FIBONACCI.  Fannie and Freddie, talking to each other; are now flying bye.           

          Mr. Steve was told by that girl Jennifer, who  I mentioned yesterday; FIBONACCI's "Art Rock" music is a "mix of influences."  Some of their songs have Jazz, Progressive Rock and New Wave "elements" in them she said.  Ah!  I just smelled the baby Cholla cactus over there.             

          That girl Jennifer told our boss how FIBONACCI sometimes use some "unusual" musical instruments on some of their songs.  They at times play things like mandolins, clarinets and use  those Mellotrons and Moog Synthesizers I wrote about yesterday.  Libby whinnied over there.                               

    BEATLES                           MOODY BLUES                     KING CRIMSON        

                           

            Daisy told me the BEATLES have a song on the "Sergeant Pepper" album about a field of strawberries.  I guess a Mellotron is used to create an "Atmospheric" feeling.  Other bands,    like the MOODY BLUES and KING CRIMSON; use Mellotrons and Moog Synthesizers.             

          I'm still thinking about how the Fibonacci Sequence uses 3 numbers in it.  In this second book Dais has me scheduled to write about that guy Nikola Tesla, who believed 3 was a "part of  nature's code."   Hey God!  Some people call 3 a description of the "Divine Proportion."             

         Daisy says that girl Jennifer said there were actually two bands called FIBONACCI, the one I mentioned; and another "Folk" band.  Andy's taking a break from guarding their burrow, and going to the bathroom behind Manny.  Helen's now guarding the burrow entrance.                                                                                          

         "LEANING TOWER" OF PISA            

                                    

           In 1985, when Mr. Steve and the Tour Group from St. Ferdinands went over to Italy; they did not get to see the city of "Pisa" where Leonardo da Pisa was from.  If they'd gone they could  have seen a "Bell Tower" that "Gravity" is making gradually lean over.  I smell Mesquite.           

        Oh wow!  A picture in my Encyclopedia shows that Bell Tower in Pisa, and it is leaning to one side alright.  Boy!  I sure hope it never falls over.  The caption says that tower was built from the years 1173 all the way through 1372 A.D., so that just means during the Middle Ages.              

           Yesterday I mentioned a few times how both Germany, and Italy too; didn't become actual "Countries" until later in the 19th century.  Until then Italian cities, such as Pisa and Florence; were like ancient Greek "City-States."  Andy's now back guarding the burrow entrance.                                                      

         JOHN HANCOCK TOWER (BOSTON)           

                 PHOTO BY STEVEN DONALDSON  ( A VIEW ON CITIES)                          

                                   

              Writing about the Leaning Tower of Pisa makes me think of a "Skyscraper" in the city of "Boston" named after that one Founding Father John Hancock.  Mr. Steve's sister Susan and her boys Dalton and Austin live near Boston.  And so does Mr. Grant's sister Amy too I guess.      

           This customer in "Rhode Island" told our boss about "engineering flaws" in the John Hancock skyscraper, which was built in the 1970's.  I guess one time strong winds damaged and  almost blew over the "John Hancock Tower."  Donald and Daisy are both now quacking.              

              Dais says sometimes our boss's sister and her sons use Boston's Airport when they come out here to visit California. Someday Dalton wants to be a Pilot like his father according to what Daisy heard him tell Mr. Steve one time.  He and his brother and mom have visited us before.                                                         WOLFGANG AMADEUS MOZART (1756-1791)                                         TOOL                                                                      

          I'm still thinking of the Fibonacci Sequence.  That girl Jennifer heard Mozart used it in writing some of his music and, I guess this band called TOOL even wrote a song by using that      sequence of three numbers.  Boy!  I wonder what that TOOL song would even sound like?            

          Daisy told me about the band OINGO BOINGO, who in the 1980's our boss saw play at that "Country Club" in "Reseda."  Reseda is near "Tarzana," where Mr. Steve's sister  Susan's  Condominium was destroyed in that big 1994 "Northridge" earthquake.   Libby neighed.             

         A Lizard is standing on the wall over there, near to the sliding glass door going into this dining room; right above our silver steel water bucket.  Now it's doing pushups, which is okay      because there's no one like Cher around who would notice and kill it.  A Train just whistled.                   

MR. ARMANDO WITH WIFE PAT  

      

           One time Daisy heard our boss and Mr. Mark in Hawaii talk about Mr. Armando, who I guess Mr. Mark met.  Mr. Steve originally met him through his brother Rock.   Mr. Armando was "probably" with him when he saw OINGO BOINGO at the Country Club in Reseda.           

          It was at that "Boys Camp" in "Griffith Park" where Mr. Steve met Mr. Armando and also Mr. Dave the Photographer, all "Counselors" with his brother Rock.  The Lizard ran down the wall and ducked behind the water bucket over there.   I smell the baby Cholla cactus.             

        Daisy says our boss told Mr. Dave about a 1980's band called the MOTELS, who he and Miss Emily saw play at the C.S.U.N. gym one time.  He's "pretty sure" Mr. Armando was also at  that MOTELS concert.  I wrote yesterday in book one how they all graduated from C.S.U.N.       

   

         THE MOTELS                             MISS EMILY                  MOTELS IN CONCERT     

                                                                                                                                                                                               PHOTO BY ARMANDO AGUIRRE  

         

           Our boss told Mr. Rich about the MOTELS pretty Singer named Martha Davis.  One of his customers in Northern California told him, even though the MOTELS are "associated" with  Los Angeles; she was originally from "Berkley" where that College is located.  I smell Sage.         

          Daisy heard Mr. Steve say how Miss Emily liked the MOTELS song "Only the Lonely."  He still has a vinyl record of their 1982 album with that song on it.  The MOTELS are described  as having been "New Wave" or "Alternative" music according to what Mr. Steve's heard.            

       A few years ago Mr. Steve was told that girl Martha Davis lived in a part of L.A. called "Echo Park," which he and his parents visited a few times over the years.  That's because one of  our boss's dad's Uncle's from New Mexico lived there with his family.  Sage smells so good.             

                CHINATOWN                    ESTHER WONG (1917-2005)            GUNS N' ROSES                    

                            

         One time our boss and Mr. Doug talked about Punk Rock concerts they and Mark Ritter saw in Chinatown in the late 1970's and early 1980's.  A place they went to was called "Madame  Wongs," owned by a Chinese lady and her husband.  They were originally from "Shanghai."       

         I guess, from what Dais heard; the MOTELS played at Madame Wongs.  I'm tempted to write about L.A. Punk music now but I'd better just wait and do it tomorrow the way Daisy has  me scheduled to do.  The Heavy Metal band GUNS N' ROSES also played at Madame Wongs.     

          Yesterday I mentioned how in the 1960's when Sam Yorty was the L.A. Mayor, Mr. Steve's dad worked downtown at "City Hall;" near Chinatown from what Daisy heard.  People told our  boss that lady Esther Wong was "firm but fair" like his Grandma Córdova.  I smell Mesquite.              

THE GO GO'S

        Mr. Grant has that condominium in "Little Tokyo; where this place called the "Atomic Cafe" used to be located.  I guess, it was a "Punk Rock" themed Japanese noodle restaurant.      The GO-GO's" supposedly got their name from a menu item called "Goo Goo Chicken."            

          One time Mr. Steve and Mark Ritter saw one of the members of OINGO BOINGO at the Atomic Cafe.  Mr. Doug used to go to the Atomic Cafe according to what Dais and Millie heard    him say.  A flock of Birds is flying over Libby's Corral and moving toward the northeast.              

         Daisy says OINGO BOINGO have a song about a "Lad" who did bad things.  Mr. Phillip from Wales says back in the U.K. boys are called "Blokes."  Mr. Dave, being a Drummer; likes the drum pattern at the beginning of that OINGO BOINGO song.  A Train whistled faintly.                                                                   OINGO BOINGO                                               MISS HARRIET          

           

         Daisy told me that girl Jennifer seems smart.  She's kind of like Mr. Steve's ex-girlfriend Harriet in knowing a lot about music.  She mentioned OINGO BOINGO'S Singer's orange hair, which Mr. Steve noticed too.  Ah!  A Lizard ran bye out there in the dirt near the Patio edge.        

         Our boss and Mr. Dave talked about the 1980's, and bands they saw play at the Country Club in Reseda.  Some Heavy Metal bands used to do concerts there.  I wrote yesterday how Mr. Steve took pictures for the "Ten Goose" company who put on their Boxing matches there.            

         I just like how the name OINGO BOINGO sounds so Dais jokes, if I ever have a band; it could play music like DEVO but with a name like OINGO BOINGO'S.  Boy!  That would be so great to have a band of Dogs alright.  The Lizard just ducked under a big rock over there.                                                                                             BILL HANDEL WITH FAMILY                 

   

        That guy bill Handel, who Mr. Steve often listens to on the Radio in the mornings; said he went to High School with OINGO BOINGO'S Singer named Danny Elfman.  He mentioned how their name came from this one old tv show called "Amos n' Andy."  I can smell Mesquite.             

          I remember the beautiful morning last Summer when Mr. Steve was out here cleaning our little graveyard on the side of the driveway.  He was listening to Bill Handel on a Saturday so it    was his legal advice show.  Dais says Bill Handel and his wife Marjorie have twin daughters.        

       One time Daisy and Millie were laying in our boss's office and heard him talking to Miss Susan at work.  She knew the sister of a member of OINGO BOINGO, but has never heard any  of their songs.  Samson and Delilah just flew over Libby's Corral and are moving eastward.              

CHICAGO  

     

           Mr. Mark and our boss like the first, or late 1960's version; of that band CHICAGO.  I guess when Mr. Steve saw OINGO BOINGO he thought of CHICAGO'S horns.  Daisy says Mr. Mark called it "rock with horns."  Jimi Hendrix liked that original version of CHICAGO.          

         Daisy thinks CHICAGO'S Guitarist Terry Kath must've been really good because Jimi Hendrix told people he was "better than myself."  Wow!  That is good alright.  That Dragonfly    just now went zooming bye and I heard it coming from way over there near Libby's Corral.         

         "Someone" should form a band "in the style" of a CHICAGO or OINGO BOINGO type band Mr. Mark thinks.  Yesterday I wrote that Saxophonist Bobby Keys who, with the trumpet    player; used travel around with the ROLLING STONES.  I'll write more about him later.            

   

            CAB CALLOWAY              DUKE ELLINGTON            DJANGO REINHARDT       

                    (1907-1994)                              (1899-1974)                                (1910-1953)                                                                                                            

      According to what Daisy heard that girl Jennifer say, OINGO BOINGO was originally what's called a "Musical Theater Troupe."  And I guess, during the first period; their full name  was the MYSTIC KNIGHTS OF THE OINGO BOINGO.  Dawn's barking at something.           

         Miss Jennifer said, early OINGO BOINGO were an "avant-garde cabaret" band who did songs "few do anymore;" like those of Cab Calloway and Duke Ellington for example.  I guess      they even did songs by that Gypsy Guitarist Django Reinhardt.  A little Lizard ran bye.                

         Later this afternoon Dais has me scheduled to write about that band from England called BLACK SABBATH.  And I'll look up Django Reinhardt too, because their left-handed Guitarist  Tony Iommi was influenced by Django Reinhardt's courage and determination.   I smell Sage.                                              BLACK SABBATH                                                      FRANK ZAPPA                    

                           

       Daisy heard our boss and that girl Jennifer discuss how Frank Zappa liked the MYSTIC KNIGHTS OF THE OINGO BOINGO.  This Dictionary says the term "Avant-Garde" means,    "Leaders of a new movement, especially in artwork."  Samson and Delilah just flew bye.              

        According to what Dais heard, the "MYSTIC KNIGHTS" were "Contestants" on a 1970's tv show called the "Gong Show."  Very "Unusual Acts" had the goal of not getting "Gonged" or  kicked out before you finished.  I just picked up Libby's scent from over there in her Corral.        

       One time Dais and Millie heard Mr. Steve talking with his sister Susan about friends they had growing up down there in Sylmar.   The boyfriend of Miss Susan's friend Tammy worked      for the man who created and produced the Gong Show.  Daisy thinks I'd like that show.                                                                                        SUSAN (ON RIGHT) WITH LINDA                      SUSAN (ON LEFT) WITH MISS AMBER                                                       

            Just like Mr. Steve met his friend Rick at St. Ferdinand's, his sister Susan met her friend Tammy there too.  Daisy heard one of her friends from Junior High was named "Linda."  I just  glanced up to see Cher the Cat jogging bye, with a dead Mouse hanging out of her mouth.            

           I just thought of how, back in Texas; Mr. Steve's Nephew Rocky Jr. and girlfriend Miss Amber have good business's.  He's one of those "Tattoo" Artists, while she has a Beauty Shop.      Hey!  Maybe we should start a Dog Beauty Shop and possibly make us some extra money?         

      Heathcliff crowed, which reminds me of that dream I had last night with him in it.  In the dream Heathcliff came up close to me, we even sniffed each from close range; and without being  afraid of each other.  We were friends and he introduced me and Daisy to all his girl Hens.           

                                                                                                                                                   DREAM FRONTIER                                           MISS HARRIET                                                            PHOTO BY STEVE CÓRDOVA                                                                                                             

                            

            Daisy says one time, at "Madame Wong's West;" Miss Harriet was given an assignment to review a band from West L.A. called DREAM FRONTIER.  Their leader was "Andrew" and he became a friend of theirs.  I guess he sang and played the guitar on all of their songs.               

           Mr. Andrew, who one time bought an acoustic guitar from OINGO BOINGO'S Singer; wrote DREAM FRONTIER'S songs.  Daisy thinks our boss thought his band was good and had a few "catchy" songs.  Finley the boy Finch is sitting alone over there on the Mulberry tree.         

            Back in the early 1990's Mr. Grant built Andrew a computer for his "Tape Duplicating" business.  I wrote in book one yesterday how Mr. Grant, who's also a Lawyer; knows a lot about computers.  He graduated from Law School while Mr. Steve "Flunked Out" back then.                

                                                            

DREAD ZEPPELIN      

PHOTO BY STEVE CÓRDOVA           

           

            Dais says our boss and Miss Harriet also saw DREAM FRONTIER at a Nightclub down in Hollywood called "Club Lingerie."  Another L.A. band Mr. Steve and Harriet saw play there  was called DREAD ZEPPELIN.  All four of the Pigeons just now flew over Libby's Corral.         

          Our boss hasn't seen Mr. Andrew for a while, and at times thinks about he and his wife "Anna;" and their kids "Daniel" and "Valorie."  Dais says DREAD ZEPPELIN, whose Singer    dresses and sings like Elvis; do LED ZEPPELIN songs.  Mr. Bobby's wife was named Valerie.      

         I want to hear DREAD ZEPPELIN, who Dais says do "Reggae" style LED ZEPPELIN songs.  That kid Jason liked their cover version of the "Immigrant Song" about Vikings.  From    what Daisy's told me before, the high pitched singing in that song is so amazing and talented.                 

RIGHTEOUS BROTHERS

             

           I remember that morning when our boss was watering the Mulberry tree and talking to Mr. Randy; who said he likes the RIGHTEOUS BROTHERS.  They're from "Orange County" and aren't really brothers Daisy heard.  Their voices "blend so well" together Mr. Steve says.       

          Mr. Steve showed Jason Videos of the RIGHTEOUS BROTHERS singing "You've Lost That Loving Feeling" and "Unchained Melody."  Dais told me Jason liked how the blond-haired guy's high voice "harmonizes" with the taller guy's much deeper voice.  Theodora ran bye.          

          Our boss told Mr. Dave about DREAM FRONTIER, and how Mr. Andrew also liked the RIGHTEOUS BROTHERS too.  Daisy says you can tell how good those two guys sing together,    kind of like how the three brothers in the BEE GEES blend and harmonize.  I smell Sage.            

                                                                            PHIL SPECTOR / THE RONETTES                PHIL SPECTOR / ON TRIAL     

(1964)                                                                                            (2005)

    PHOTO BY DAVID MAGNUS                                                                                            PHOTO BY DAMIAN DOVARGANES

      

           Mr. Dave said a Motorcycle Shop customer in Anaheim told him how the RIGHTEOUS BROTHERS met in College at U.C. Long Beach.  Some of their songs were recorded by that guy  Phil Spector, who Dais heard is now in jail for killing a girl.  I smell Dawn, Blinky and Rosie.       

          Dais says Mr. Dave chuckled remembering the "ridiculous" wigs Phil Spector wore.  My Encyclopedia says in the 1960's he made "Wall of Sound" music, which he called "Wagnerian"    for that German guy Richard Wagner.  Daisy likes these girl Singers called the RONETTES.       

           Phil Spector used "innovative recording practices" to create "dense orchestration."   Mr. Dave called the RIGHTEOUS BROTHERS "blue-eyed soul."   That one lady Carol Kaye, as a    "Session" Musician in the WRECKING CREW; played bass on many Phil Spector songs.                     

     HURRICANE "ANDREW"

    (FLORIDA / AUGUST, 1992)

                 

           Mentioning DREAM FRONTIER'S Mr. Andrew suddenly makes me feel like writing about a famous "Hurricane" storm that hit the State of "Florida" back in 1992.  I  guess it was    named "Andrew."  Blackbeard and Anne Bonny are flying bye and going toward the east.            

            Daisy heard our boss and his sister Susan talking about Hurricane Andrew, which had winds of "175 mile per hour," brought in a lot of Atlantic Ocean water; and "destroyed" many  houses and vehicles too.  Ah!  I just love breathing in fresh morning air through my nose.             

            It was in 1988 that Mr. Steve and Harriet first met Mr. Andrew, and in 1992 they talked about the storm that hit south Florida.   Hurricane Andrew went through near where that guy Edward Leedskalnin built his "Coral Castle."  A Train whistled faintly over to my left.                              

"HURRICANE ANDREW" 

           

         Mr. Steve read Hurricane Andrew began as what's called a "Tropical Storm" way out in the Atlantic Ocean.  It happened in August of 1992 and was a "Category 5 Event;" which I guess means it was really, really strong.  A little Sparrow with a long twig held in its mouth ran bye.      

           Yesterday I mentioned how Mr. Steve's mom, and sister Celina who died; were both born in the month of August.  I remember it was really hot in August last year, and Daisy and I were    so glad to have you around here Elvira.  Ah!  A cool breeze just floated in from the desert.            

          By the time Hurricane Andrew went through the "Bahama" islands, where back in 1492 Columbus first landed; it was a "full-blown storm event" Mr. Steve read.   That was just before  it hit Florida.  Boy!  I feel so good right now in hearing the green chimes up there ringing away.              

"PYTHON"                  HURRICANE "ANDREW"       FLAMENGOS"

PHOTO BY MICHAEL FREIFELD                                                                                                               PHOTO BY RON MAGILL                        

        

         One of Miss Susan at works customers told her Hurricane Andrew "effected" Animals in Florida too.  The wind "destroyed" a "facility" where "Burmese Python" Snakes were kept, so    they escaped out into those "Everglades."  I guess "Burma" was important to World War II.       

         Wow!  My Encyclopedia says Burmese Pythons can grow up to be  eighteen feet long.  Me and Daisy, both being sort of afraid of Snakes; would have a hard time fighting off such a huge    Snake.  But, we'd "just have to do it even if we died" Daisy's told me a few times before.               

          Miss Susan's customer said some pink "Flamingo" Birds "rode out" Hurricane Andrew in a Zoo bathroom.  In our hallway bathroom is a picture of Flamingos Mr. Steve took, which his    mom had matted and framed by Mr. Oimette in Wrightwood.  Flamingos sleep on one leg.                            

"SYLMAR" EARTHQUAKE (FEBRUARY 9, 1971)        

              

           I just thought of how Mr. Steve's family survived the "Sylmar" earthquake.  He and Mr. Rick, who's family also made it through; talked on speaker phone about it one time.  Heathcliff    crowed over there to my right and hearing him is giving me an uplifting feeling of Rhêma.            

           The "Magnitude" 6.4 Sylmar earthquake occurred on the morning of February the 9th in 1971.  It was short but resulted in as much "Damage" as Hurricane Andrew caused in a whole day passing over the entire State of Florida.  Two Pigeons are flying over Libby's Corral.              

          Even though Hurricane Andrew caused more "Property Damage," 27 "Billion" versus only 550 "Million;" sixty five people died in Sylmar whereas in 1992 fifty four were killed.   I've  mentioned how one billion is equal to "one thousand millions."  Joshua trees smell good.            

                              

CALIFORNIA "HIGH" DESERT

     

        Ah!  A slight breeze brought in the scent of Mesquite, and now the chimes are ringing; which is making me feel good.  Boy God!  We're so lucky You brought us to this two acres, and I  wouldn't want to be anywhere other than right here on you Elvira.  Some Wrens are chirping.     

            Yesterday I mentioned how in 1994 Harriet met another guy so, because she's an honest person; broke up with Mr. Steve.  For about a year, Mr. Steve then "Went out With" that girl      Debra; who had her really pretty little girl named "Talia."  Mr. Andrew "Introduced Them."      

           Tomorrow I'll write about that Football Player O.J. Simpson, who was born on July the 9th like Mr. Steve; and "killed his second wife" in 1995 our boss believes.  I guess Mr. Steve's      father taught "O.J.'s" first wife to be one of those Stockbrokers back in the early 1970's.              

                       

       O.J. SIMPSON ("BRONCO CHASE")                          "SEPULVEDA PASS"                                                         

                   

         I'm tempted to write about that guy "O.J." now but I'd better wait and do it according to how Daisy and I made my outlines.  I guess, back in 1995; the Los Angeles Police chased him in    his Ford "Bronco" Car.   There are some thin clouds up there in the eastern sky to my front.        

         Dais told me on the Sunday when Police chased O.J. Simpson our boss was driving to West L.A. to visit Debra and Talia.  He knew something was different by how "Light " or empty the    #405 Freeway was on that day.  Anyway, I'll come back to O.J. Simpson again tomorrow.              

        When OINGO BOINGO'S Singer sold Mr. Andrew that acoustic guitar both were living in "Topanga Canyon."  Our boss told Mr. Andrew about that barbecue where he met Bob Hite of    CANNNED HEAT in Topanga Canyon.  Clouds make me think about being high in the sky.                                                                                                                                       JOHN AVILA ""FOOD FOR FEET"                                   BILLY ZOOM                               

              PHOTOS BY STEVE CÓRDOVA                             

                                                     

             Daisy heard OINGO BOINGO's Bassist is a Mexican American guy named John Avila.  Mr. Steve thinks he's talented, and one time he and Harriet met him outside this Nightclub in        North Hollywood called the "Palomino."  That's where they saw X's Billy Zoom play too.           

         I guess, when our boss and Miss Harriet talked with John Avila out in the Palomino's parking lot; he was loading equipment into the trunk of a 1968 Chevelle.  So Mr. Steve told him    about his two Chevelle's.  A flock of Birds is flying toward the northeast up there in the sky.       

          John Avila is friendly Mr. Steve says.  On that night he and Harriet met him they were there to review his band FOOD FOR FEET, who's Drummer is also in OINGO BOINGO too.      Our boss has talked with Mr. Dave before about how highly talented a Drummer he is.                                                   

METALLICA (ROBERT TRUJILLO IN MIDDLE)

        

            Another good Mexican-American bass player from Los Angeles is Robert Trujillo, who's in that Heavy Metal band METALLICA.  I mentioned a few times in book one how "Trujillo" is Mr. Steve's mom's "Maiden" name.  I can smell the new baby Cholla cactus over there.                

         Daisy says our boss was told Robert Trujillo has a young son who's also learning to be a bass player just like his father.  I'll learn more about "Thrash Metal" over the next two days.  I   just glanced up in time to see Rudy the Roadrunner jogging bye in front of the three Sheds.         

          Way out there in the desert to the northeast a Train whistled faintly.  That reminds me of that one warm morning last Summer when Daisy and I were back here sitting on Elvira, as we    heard a Train while smelling a Cholla cactus.  Ah!  The morning air is so fresh again today.                 

MR. RICK WITH MOM 

  

          Yesterday I wrote about how our boss met Mr. Rick when his Italian-American family moved out here to California from the city of "Pittsburgh.  He was seven and Mr. Steve was a      year younger, both going to St. Ferdinands for Elementary school.  A Train whistled faintly.         

           A while back our boss had a dream about Mr. Rick's parents.  In it he was visiting Mr. Rick's dad's Pet Shop on Maclay Street in San Fernando.   Mr. Rick's father died many years      ago but I guess the sound of his distinctive laugh is still in Mr. Steve's memories of him.                

            One time Daisy and Millie heard our boss tell his mom on the speaker phone how he still remembers some of the things Mr. Rick's mom cooked.  And he also remembers her little Dog       named "Canole."   I just noticed Grease Ants marching bye down there on the Patio floor.              

1968 CHEVROLET "CHEVELLE"               

 

         I wrote yesterday how Mr. Steve's father bought him that first 1968 dark green Chevelle from Mr. Rick.  Daisy says our boss told John Avilla about that Car, and they talked about how    both that Chevelle and John Avilla's had "Small Block" motors.  Heathcliff just crowed.               

       Our boss told Mr. Rick, the classified ads in "Hemmings" Magazine say his second 1968 "S.S." Chevelle is now worth about fifty thousand dollars.   That's based on all of the things Mr. Tim did on it.  Some people prefer older Cars to be "Stock from the Showroom" I guess.              

       About a month after meeting John Avila in the Palomino parking lot our boss was at his brother Rock's Condominium in Sylmar.  For some reason, the conversation turned to OINGO    BOINGO.  I just looked up and see Theodora over there sitting in her favorite Creosote bush.                                  

   THEODORA     

     

           When Mr. Steve mentioned John Avila and his Chevelle Rock said, "I'm pretty sure that's the same guy who borrowed my camcorder the other day."  Yesterday, I wrote about how Rock    did the Video's for weddings he and Mr. Steve worked on together.  I can smell Theodora.             

        Daisy says our boss thinks it was probably John Avila who borrowed his brother's video  recorder.  If it was him he knew Rock's neighbor's family at the Condominium complex.  Daisy    told me how that same exact camcorder is now "packed away" in one of our hallway closets.        

        I just thought of how our boss wasn't sure if Theodora was a girl when naming her.  But, based on how she was carrying a twig and being "aggressive" like the Emperor Justinian's wife; he thought she was female.  Thrasher Birds long curved bills are almost as long their heads.         

     

FLYING PIGEONS   

   

         Two of the Pigeons flew bye.  Oh!  That reminds me of another time I smelled Theodora's bush while seeing Pigeons.  I hear Theodora totally unique voice over there as she's now singing. Thrasher Birds, who run as much as fly; have kind of short little wings but extra long tails.          

       I used this Spanish Dictionary to look up "Cuicacoche," which means "Songbird."  Mr. Esteban, the Worker; said that's what Thrasher Birds are called down Mexico.  Thrasher Birds, though not as much as Mockingbirds; at times imitate or "Mimic" some of the other Birds.        

        I just looked up another John Ávila.  But this John of Ávila lived in the 1500's and was a Catholic Priest who's described here as an "author" and "mystic."  Dais says our boss told Mr.    Ralph he was told how that earlier or first John Ávila saw a lot of importance in dreams.                                                            

 SAINT JOHN OF ÁVILA (1499-1569)

  PAINTING BY EL GRECO         

                    

         Oh!  "Saint" John of Ávila is the "Apostle of Andalusia," that area of southern Spain where the city of "Córdoba" is located.  I guess he was one of those "Converso" Jews that I've    mentioned a few times in these first two books.  Andy's over there sniffing the air right now.         

           I wonder if Mr. Steve knows that St. John of Ávila died in Córdoba?  And, from what it says in this Encyclopedia; he also "founded" a "Seminary" in Córdoba too.   As I mentioned in book one yesterday, a seminary is a school where you go to learn how to become a Priest.            

           "Cognito, Ergo; Sum," a phrase said by that French Philosopher Réne Descartes back in the 17th century; is the name Daisy and I decided on for my three books.  In Latin it means, "I  think, therefore; I am."  Theodora jumped down from her Creosote bush and then ran away.                                           

                       SAINT TERESA (1515-1532)                       SAINT IGNATIUS (1491-1556)                     

                                                             PAINTING BY A.J. VALENTINI                                                                                 PAINTING BY PETER PAUL RUBENS                                                                                   

             

         Mr. Steve and his father think sometimes females don't get the credit they deserve.  Saint Teresa, in the area of what they call "Self-Knowledge;" is one example of that happening they      think.  I hear Dawn barking, and I can also smell Blinky standing next to her and Rosie.               

          Réne Descartes lived after St. Teresa but his phrase Cognito, Ergo; Sum could have easily been written by her.  That's what Mr. Steve and his father think.  I guess, from what it says in my Encyclopedia; that girl St. Teresa also came from the Spanish city of Ávila just like St. John.        

      It says here St. John of Ávila was St. Teresa's friend, and they knew Ignatius Loyola; a  "Basque" Soldier who became a Priest then "founded" the "Jesuit" order of Roman Catholic    Priests.  In College Mr. Steve's mom studied the gold in this painting of "Saint" Ignatius.                                                                

        "LOYOLA MARYMOUNT" UNIVERSITY       

                         

          Dais and Millie one time were laying in our boss's office and heard him tell Mr. Ralph on the phone about walking around the campus of this Catholic College in West Los Angeles called  "Loyola Marymount."  Two of the Pigeons are flying over the top of the house right now.             

          I guess that College was named after St. Ignatius because, in the 16th century; he started schools too.  There's also this Catholic "boys" High School in Los Angeles, and schools all over    the country too; called Loyola.  Loyola is the name of this castle over in Spain Daisy heard.          

         Loyola Marymount is near "L.A. International Airport" and from some of the buildings you can even see the Pacific Ocean Mr. Steve says.  On the campus they have a "Chapel" which is just as nice inside as a bigger Church.  Boy!  I'd really like to smell an Ocean someday.                                            

      KOBE BRYANT          

                         

          Mr. Ralph said the Basketball Player Kobe Bryant is Roman Catholic like us.  I guess one time our boss met a lady who's son was excited about going to a "Clinic" held by Kobe Bryant at Loyola's Gym.  So Mr. Steve told him, "Remember, shuffle so you don't cross your feet."              

              Because he doesn't often watch professional sports anymore, Mr. Steve has only seen Kobe Bryant play a few times.  But, he's heard he was raised in Italy; so it's understandable why he's    Catholic and speaks Spanish.  Daisy heard Kobe Bryant's dad was a Basketball Player too.          

         A man told Mr. Steve Kobe Bryant "likes" being the father of daughters, and one is a good Basketball Player so he "Promotes" girl's Basketball.  Mr. Steve saw a team called the "Sparks" play one time and thought they were talented.   Heathcliff just crowed over there next door.          

                                                                HOWARD HUGHES (1905-1976)           

                                         

            Dais and Millie heard our boss and Mr. Ralph talk about how part of Loyola Marymount campus used to be buildings of the "Hughes Aircraft" company.  Tomorrow in my third book I'll learn a lot about that man named Howard Hughes.  A Robin is singing out in the desert.               

           Our boss told Mr. Ralph how Mr. Grant, as a "Locksmith;" worked for a company whose buildings at one time were also part of Hughes Aircraft too.  Mr. Grant has many skills besides    being a Lawyer.  I can now smell, and also see; Libby standing over there in her Corral.                

         I guess, Mr. Grant and our boss one time talked about how, while recovering from one of his Airplane crashes; Howard Hughes made "recommendations" for his Engineers to make a      few "improvements" on the then existing Hospital bed.  That was in 1946.  I smell Sage.               

 

MODERN HOSPITAL BED                                  POPE JOHN PAUL II    

  

         Mr. Steve thinks, because Howard Hughes was what's called a "tinkerer;" having to be in the Hospital for a long time probably made him think about ways to make Hospital beds better.    Mr. Steve's Niece Stephanie's boyfriend Mr. Rich is a tinkerer too.  Mr. Steve is not.           

          All of a sudden, for some reason I just thought about that guy Rick Allen who plays drums for DEF LEPPARD.  He took existing technology and adapted it for his purposes because of how he lost his left arm in that Automobile accident.  Howard Hughes' bed was made for his body.      

         I wrote in book one about Mr. Eddie, who's not lazy and "Busks" for money even though he was born with no arms.  He plays drums and sings in the Phelan Stater Brothers parking lot.  Just as DEF LEPPARD'S Drummer had to adapt in order to survive, so has Mr. Eddie too.                                                   

EDDIE SPAGHETTI

PHOTOS BY STEVE CÓRDOVA      

         

           Looking at Manny, Moe and Jack the Sheds right now makes me think of other times I've thought of  Mr. Eddie while looking at them.  Mr. Eddie uses what they call "Prosthesis" arms to play his drums, but mainly uses his feet.  Mr. Steve and Mr. Randy admire his courage.                 

         Mr. Eddie also sings along to some "Pre-Recorded" music of famous songs with all of the "Vocals" removed.  Daisy told me how our boss, and Mr. Randy too; always puts money in Mr.    Eddie's plastic bucket.  I can suddenly smell the big Mulberry tree over there right now.               

           I'd like to hear Eddie Spaghetti play and sing that song called "Ring of Fire."  In book one I wrote about how our boss likes Johnny Cash's original version, but actually prefers WALL OF VOODOO'S heavier cover version from the 1980's.   Dawn and Blinky are both barking.                           

                                  RICK ALLEN (DEF LEPPARD)                                             

           

          Yesterday I wrote about 1986 when our boss went with Mr. Steve to see DEF LEPPARD.   Mr. Steve wrote a review of that concert for the "L.A. Times" Newspaper.    Rick Allen, right-      handed just like Mr. Eddie; lost his left arm but "Relearned" to play drums in a new way.            

     Mr. Steve really admires the "semi-electronic" drum kit Rick Allen built.  Foot pedals "Trigger" sounds of parts he used to play with his left arm.  Mr. Eddie and Rick Allen both seem to be good examples of what Charles Darwin and Friedrich Nietzsche said in the 1800's.               

          Rick Allen and Mr. Eddie use "fast feet" to play the drums.  Daisy heard our boss tell Mr. Dave Rick Allen and Eddie Spaghetti have "nimble" feet.  Later this afternoon I'll learn about    Tony Iommi and Django Rheinhardt who also had to "Adapt or Die" as that old saying goes.                     

             MR. STEVE                                     1978 CADILLAC "EL DORADO" 

              

            I just thought about the big blue Cadillac our boss used to drive, which that Writer Mr. Steve liked because he's tall and had more room in that Car.   Not only is he a talented Writer,      Mr. Steve is also a good Photographer too from what Dais heard.  Andy's sniffing the air.              

            According to Daisy, Mr. Steve the Writer is a friend of that Photographer Mr. Dave; who had the exhibit at the "Watts Towers."  Both also know Mr. Armando.  I guess Mr. Steve hasn't    talked to them for many years but at times sees their work in Newspapers or on the Internet.       

           Miss Harriet was impressed when our boss told her Mr. Steve, from a phone booth at the Forum; "dictated" to his office a review of the David Lee Roth concert.  Mr. Steve has written      for famous publications, like "Rolling Stone" magazine for example.  Andy's looking at me.          

                                    

       ROLLING STONES' BOOK        

BOOK BY STEVE APPLEFORD        

                                  

            I just thought about Mr. Steve's book he wrote about that band the ROLLING STONES.   And, I guess he's "Interviewed" or taken pictures of other famous people too.  Oh!  Two of the Pigeons are now flying over Libby's Corral and moving together toward the northeast.                 

         Mr. Steve the Writer's last name is Appleford.  Daisy heard our boss tell Miss Babette at work how, before the economic recession that started at the end of 2008; he had a customer back in Pennsylvania called "Apple Ford."  He thought of Mr. Steve when he sold them things.            

           Being only the second day of Spring, there aren't any leaves yet on the two Mulberry trees but; this Summer they'll give us shade when it's hot.  A little Wren flew in and landed on one of    big boulders around the bottom of the Mulberry tree over there.  A Train whistled faintly.                                   

                                            "FRUITLESS MULBERRY" TREE                                     

                                  

          Dais says Miss Susan, who ran the "News Plus" local Newspaper; told our boss one time how Mulberry trees are very "hardy."  They can survive in really hot or cold weather like we at times get up here in the High Desert.  Libby, who's looking in this direction; just whinnied.          

         Miss Susan said there are "about" one hundred and fifty types of Mulberry trees in the world.  Over on the east coast, where Mr. Steve's sister Susan and her son's Dalton and Austin live; their Mulberry trees have fruit while ours out here don't.  Libby has a distinctive smell.        

       In China Mulberry tree bark is used for medicine and "Silk Worm" food Miss Susan told our boss.  Oh!  Little Blinky's barking over there to my right.  Daisy joked around with me last night when I told her Blinky's voice and nice scent is really beginning to be attractive to me.                                                            ANDY AND HELEN          

                                                

       This Winter when it snowed Daisy and I noticed how Jack the Jackrabbit, and Andy and Helen the Squirrels; hung around our Mulberry trees.  Daisy thinks they might've been low on    food so ate tree bark.  I can smell Theodora the Thrasher Bird's Creosote bush over there.           

        Piñon Hills Squirrels mainly live down in the ground, and sleep during Winter; but a few times this Winter Andy and Helen were up in the Mulberry tree.  Daisy and I shared body heat    this past Winter.  Boy!  It was cold on some nights but now it's Spring so, Happy New Year!         

         Oh!  A Lizard is standing in the dirt over there near the Mulberry tree.  Mr. Steve's friend Mark Ritter who died said "Cold-Blooded" Reptiles have to "absorb" sunlight in the morning,    so their muscles have energy to move around.  The Lizard just ran and hid under a big rock.                                             

                  HIGH DESERT LIZARD                  

                                                             

          Dais says Mark Ritter, who knew about Aviation, Reptiles and Rocks; also learned about growing grapes to make "Wine."  He joked  on "overcast" mornings grapes are  like Lizard's in taking longer to "absorb heat" and "wake up."  Hey!  We're like that on cold mornings too.         

            I've mentioned how Mr. Steve's "Clock Radio" automatically goes on at fifteen minutes to five in the morning.  He usually gets right up but jokes how he "procrastinates" on really cold      mornings.  Daisy and I now both like to get up early too because we want to do what he does.       

            Oh!  Laverne and Shirley, with Bravo Company and the new babies; are over there near the Sheds.  This is the only second day of Spring, yet already both Alpha and Bravo Companies have had what Daisy calls "Little Ones."  Daisy wants to think of it as a good sign.  Me too!                                       

                                                                                              "BRAVO" COMPANY"  

                                                                                                                                  

              Hey God!  I feel Rhêma in chirping Baby Quail, and someday if I have babies I'll recall this moment.  Laverne and Shirley are over protective right now.   I'll bet Dais has already seen Bravo Company's babies  eating Chicken scratch below our boss's office window up there.   

             Daisy told me our boss named Laverne and Shirley after two girls who were best friends on a tv show from the 1970's.   I guess the real Laverne and Shirley lived in the 1950's when Mr. Steve and his brother Rock were born.   Dais says "in some ways" they were like she and I.

              The tv show Laverne and Shirley were from the city of "Milwaukee," like Mr. Mark in Hawaii.  Daisy says our boss once told Miss Babette, even after the economic recession; he still  "has a few" customers left in Wisconsin.   She and Miss Susan lost a lot of customers there. 

                     

                                                       "LAVERNE AND SHIRLEY"

                      

              Dais says Laverne and Shirley on the tv show have accents like Mr. Steve's friend Eddie in Lake Los Angeles and his Niece Stephanie's boyfriend Rich.  Mr. Eddie, who sells things for us; is from New York City's Staten Island while Mr. Rich grew up in New Jersey.  I smell Sage.

           From what Daisy told me, that girl Laverne has the letter "L" on the front of her shirts, I would want an "M" on all of my things.  My favorite band DEVO has its name on the front of their professional "Hazardous Materials" yellow uniforms.  DEVO seem like genius's to me.   

               On the tv show Dais says Laverne and Shirley's friends are two boys named "Lennie" and "Squiggy."  I guess Squiggy is one of those "Greaser" guys like SHA NA NA'S "Bowser," who I mentioned yesterday.  Mr. Mike chuckled in hearing our boss call me "Squigmire."    

  

          

              I just thought of how, in the mid-1980's and early 1990's; Mr. Steve's sister Susan was a "Set Decorator"  for tv shows like "Bill Cosby" and "Roseanne."  Hopefully, computers won't take jobs like hers in the future; so Producers will make more money.  Heathcliff crowed.

             Mr. Steve's brother Rock, and his son's Rocky Jr. and Jacob; sometimes come out from Texas to California.  Rocky Jr., or "Rocky Michael;" is with that girl "Amber" who's has a good "Beauty Shop."  Mr. Steve says Rocky and Amber, unlike himself; are "good in business."  

            Boy!  Writing about tv shows makes me want to hurry up and get over my fear of going all the way down the hallway in our house to smell the three rooms.  Then I can watch as much tv as Daisy gets to do right now.  Hey God!  As You know of course, I can't wait for that time.

                             

                                                 "A LEAGUE OF THEIR OWN"    

               

              Dais says that girl Laverne also "Directed" movies, one about this World War II era girls Baseball team called "A League of Their Own."  It was about two sisters and I'm tempted to write about it now but I'll wait.   Mr. Steve shook Laverne's hand one time at the Forum.

           I will say now how one girl in A League of Their Own was named "Betty Spaghetti," just like our Eddie Spaghetti; who plays drums in Phelan.  Mr. Steve told his Niece Samantha Tom Hanks, who was in A League of Their Own; was also born on July the 9th like himself. 

          One thing Daisy liked about that tv show about Laverne and Shirley is how the two girls helped each other.  They work at the same Beer company and, like most families and friends; sometimes will disagree and argue about things.  Andy's over there looking in this direction.

   

ANDY AND HELEN

 

            Andy and Helen, taking a short break from guarding their babies, were playing earlier. Then they took what Daisy jokingly calls their "ritual dirt bath, and "Groomed" each other.  But right now they're both back to taking care of all their new Spring babies down there.

           I looked up the 18th century Jewish Rabbi Baal Shem Tov.  Feeling the Sun makes me think of  how he said, "The world is new to us every morning.  This is God's gift and every man should believe he is reborn each day."  In Hebrew, "Shahar" is both "darkness;" or "dawn."   

           It says here Baal Shem Tov's real name was Israel ben Eliezer, and he and his wife and children lived in the "Ukraine" area of Russia. That was in the "Baroque" period, also when the Enlightenment began.  I'll write about Ukraine, and World War II; in this second book.

                                                     

                               ISRAEL BEN ELIEZER / "BAAL SHEM TOV" (1698-1760)

                         

               According to what is says here, that guy Israel ben Eliezer is known as the "founder of Hasidic Judaism."  Hey God!  He believed every "act" should be done "in the spirit" of prayer or worship to You.  Wow!  That's just what Sister Rita Joseph used to think too I guess.

            Hey Mr. Baal!  If You just happen to be up there listening to me I do want to tell you how both Daisy and I totally agree with your idea that everyone should always try to make a "direct connection" with God.  According to this one Encyclopedia I guess it's called "d'vekut."

            I just thought of that guy Chief Tecumseh, who said to appreciate each day.  He fought with the British against the U.S. in the "War of 1812."  Like Mr. Mark thinks the countries of Africa should do, Chief Tecumseh thought Indian tribes should unite to fight white people.      

                    

                                                      CHIEF TECUMSEH (1768-1813)   

                                                                                                                               PAINTING BY BENSON JOHN LOSSING    

                  

            I just thought of that Chief Tecumseh quote again, "When you arise in the morning give thanks for food and the joy of living.  If you see no reason for giving thanks, the fault lies only in yourself."  Hey God!  As You of course already know; Daisy and I are thankful for things.

              Daisy says our boss used to have this customer in "Arkansas," who was part "Cherokee" Indian and said their word for being grateful is "Otsaliheliga."  That Parts Manager said it can  mean to "remember your blessings."   Mr. Dave also believes in that exact same idea too. 

           We heard our boss tell Mr. Randy, who lived in Arkansas; even before President Andrew Jackson's 1830's "Forced Indian Removals," a few Cherokees went to Oklahoma and Arkansas.  That's what the Parts Manager said.  Mr. Mark in Hawaii's ancestors were from Arkansas.

                                        

                                                          "CHEROKEE" WARRIOR

   PAINTING BY DAVID WRIGHT        

      

          A painting shows a Cherokee Warrior with his face painted red holding a gun, and one of those "Tomahawks;" to club things with.  Boy!  I don't think I'd want to fight him in a war, and I see he has a nose ring.  There are eight hundred thousand Cherokees in the U.S. I guess.             

           Mr. Steve's customer in Arkansas told him, about a thousand years ago; some really smart Cherokee women created a new type of Corn.  I've written about how, for thousands of years in  Native-American groups; females planted while males did the hunting.  Dawn's barking.              

         It says here the Cherokee people are called one of the "Five Civilized Tribes" who lived in the "Southeast" part of what is now the United States.  They not only "Farmed," but also lived    in one spot instead of being nomadic.  Wow!  They even have an "Alphabet" for writing.                         

2014 JEEP "CHEROKEE"    

       

          Daisy says our boss and his customer in Arkansas one time talked about how, since 1974 when they both were just out of High School; the Jeep company has made Cars with the name      of  "Cherokee."  The four Pigeons are flying over Libby's Corral, and going toward the east.       

         I guess, today in 2014 the Jeep Cherokee's are what they call "Crossover" Sports Utility Vehicles; but at first were "Full Size" and then "Compact" later.  The Parts Manager said there have been five "Generations" of Cherokee vehicles in that "Line."  Libby just neighed.                

          Aha!  I knew I was smelling Angeline and her new Spring baby Quails, and there they are standing in the dirt near Manny the far right Shed.  Andy's looking at them but his relaxed body language tells me he feels no threat.   I smell Bonnie and Clyde's babies sleeping up there.             

                         

 ANGELINE WITH BABIES     

               

          Oh!  Angeline is leading her babies into the back desert through the right vertical slot on the side of the gate.  I now see Alpha Company, and Angeline and her babies will follow them out into the desert.   Boy!  It must be a lot of responsibility to have to take care of so many kids.         

          A Jewish lady told Mr. Steve "Hasidic" Jews often have "a lot of kids," in the same way some Mormon families do too.  Blackbeard and Anne Bonney are flying over the eastern desert.  You can always see the white hole in the socket where Blackbeard's left eye used to be located.     

          Daisy thinks Crows are good mates, both collecting material to build nests.  She told me a tv show said girl Crows prepare the nest for her "Hatchlings."  Over in England when two men   are friends they sometimes call each other "Mate" Daisy heard Mr. Phillip say one time.              

                                   

HIGH DESERT CROW

                             

             Oh!  An unfamiliar Crow is standing over there, maybe a boy looking for a girl?  Boy!  It would be so weird to be living inside of an egg before you're even born.   I do wonder if you can      hear anything from in there?  Daisy heard a group of baby Crows is called a "Clutch?"            

             Dais says for the first month of their lives, the girl Crow is the one mainly responsible for taking care of the babies; who have to grow up really fast once they're born.  Oh!  Bonnie and      Clyde just flew in, just as their babies woke up.  The Crow hopped and is now flying away.           

           Sometimes "more than one generation" of Crows will share a nest Daisy noticed.  When a girl Crow needs a break, to go to the bathroom or something; the boy Crow protects all of new    baby Crows.  Yesterday in book one I wrote about how Crows are different from Ravens.                  

FANNIE AND FREDDIE                                              DRAGONFLY           

                

            Fannie and Freddie are coasting toward the southwest up in the sky and, as they often do; are talking to each other as they go along.  Crow couples clean each other's feathers and help the other.  That Dragonfly who's been hanging around here just went whizzing bye right now.            

           Daisy says one time a girl Crow lost the top part of her beak somehow, but survived with the help of the boy Crow.  Like Friedrich Nietzsche said, "That which does not destroy me only    makes me stronger."  Bonnie's now throwing up some food and feeding her babies up there.         

         At times Crows let Ants crawl on them Daisy told me, so both sides "must benefit;" like Ants eating something and the Crow getting its feathers cleaned.  Rhinoceros's let these Birds eat "Parasites" on their skin.  Those Birds warn them about any danger being around I guess.                        

"PILOT" FISH WITH "OCEANIC WHITE TIP" SHARK

          

         Yesterday I mentioned those "Symbiotic" or "Mutually Beneficial" relationships.  Some Insects eat things from flowers, then accidentally spread the pollen stuck on them to other areas; so there will be baby flowers.  Daisy told me things like that happen out in the Ocean's too.           

           Mr. Steve, and a Florida customer who likes to Fish; one time talked about "Pilot" Fish.  I guess, they eat parasites on the Shark's skin; in return getting leftover scraps from Shark kills.    Daisy told me how our boss's dad sometimes jokes about this thing called "Quid Pro Quo."          

           Dais heard that Parts Manager tell our boss how in some parts of the world Pilot Fish are used as "bait" to catch certain other types of Fish.  Dawn's barking.   

                 

    ERNEST HEMINGWAY (1899-1961)                 EDITH HAMILTON (1867-1963)          

          

         That guy Hemingway used Pilot Fish to represent "opportunism."  Daisy heard that lady Edith Hamilton wrote about an ancient Greek story where Apollo punished a Sailor by turning    him into a Pilot Fish.  I guess another Fish that hangs around Sharks are called "Remora's."       

         Remora Fish have "Suction Cups" on the top of their heads our boss told his Niece Steph. So, they can attach or stick to Sharks, Rays or Turtles; which allows them to "save energy" by      just being pulled along in the water Mr. Steve jokes.  They get a "Free Ride" so to speak.              

         My Encyclopedia says "ray-finned" Remora's are also called "Sucker" Fish too.  Dais says they're good swimmers when they need to be, and it says here Columbus may've seen Pilot Fish    on his second voyage in 1493.  That orange and black Monarch Butterfly just went bye.                

                                               "REMORA" FISH                                       WITH "GRAY REEF" SHARK      

PHOTO BY PAULA JONES                                                                                                                                                                                         

                     

            Wow!  This picture shows a "Remora," and I see the suction cup.  It says here the ancient Romans believed they could "stop a Ship," and in Latin "remora" is to "delay."  As with Pilot      Fish, Sharks don't eat Remora's because they help them by eating parasites on their skin.           

       The Parts Manager in Florida joked Remora's are the "hitchhikers of the sea's."  Daisy thinks the "drag" in water must be less, because it would be so hard up here to always be pulling extra weight around.  I just noticed good old Libby over there, walking slowly in her Corral.        

          Daisy says our boss thinks Remora's are an example of Charles Darwin's idea of "Natural Selection."  Over thousands of years, to "Survive;" their head has "Evolved" and "Adapted" to its particular environment by creating the suction cup.  Mr. Mike called it "Velcro" I guess.                               

"MASTER OF THE UNIVERSE"

                          

         Hey God!  Daisy says the Jewish lady called You "Master of the Universe," and told our boss how that 18th century Ukrainian guy Baal Shem Tov's name translates to be; "one with a    good reputation."  Oh!  I wouldn't mind if that was my name.  In fact, I'd sort of like it.              

          My Encyclopedia says the "followers" of that guy Mr. Baal believed he was "descended" from King David, like You too Lord.  Daisy heard our boss and his father talking about how now, in 2014; Ukraine is an area where a war might just break out.  I'll learn about Ukraine later.        

         Boy!  I'm tempted to write more that guy King David right now but, I'd better just wait and do it according to my outlines.  My boss jokes he might've been the first "Blues" Musician    in history.  He was a Shepherd, Poet, Warrior; and then ended up being the King of Israel.                                           

 ANCIENT EGYPTIAN GODS        

                             

           Dais heard our boss tell his mom about the ancient Egyptian Goddess "Isis," who I wrote a little bit about yesterday.  She told all Her "Followers" to see every day as "Sacred;" like Baal  Shem Tov and Chief Tecumseh said to do.  Two of the Pigeons just flew in from the desert.            

          Hey God!  Seeing the Sun behind and above the three Sheds makes me think of You.  This has been another good day, where I learn new things; and practice my reading and writing.  Ah!  I can hear those two Pigeons cooing up there on the Patio roof and that makes me feel good.         

          I just just picked up the scent of the Pigeons.  I think it might be Lucy and Ricky, but it's always really hard to tell them apart for Fred and Ethel.  Oh!  They just lifted off and are now    flying together over the top of the big Mulberry tree; towards the northeast's open desert.            

                                   

                                                               "HASIDIC" JEWS

          

           Oh wow!  A photo is my Encyclopedia shows a "Hasidic" family.  I like the hats the males are wearing, and the caption says "payos" are "side locks" men wear in their hair.  Even though I'm a girl, I'd definitely wear one of those rounded hats like the ones in the family picture.           

             I just thought of the time last Summer when that Bobcat was "Snooping Around" our back fence behind the three Sheds.  It had a unique scent, and it was Blinky next door who first smelled it.  Oh!  Cher the Cat, with Andy watching her; is slinking bye behind the Sheds. 

            Daisy and I both barked at that Bobcat, and so did Blinky and Dawn too; even old Rosie contributed some good barking to the situation.  After just a few minutes that wily Bobcat finally "Got the Message" so to speak, and jogged off out into the field.  Boy!  It was so much fun! 

            

DESERT BOBCAT 

                      

                   I remember that one other time when Dawn scared a Bobcat, which jumped up into the clump of Joshua trees near Libby's Corral.  Finley the boy Finch has been hanging around in that clump.  Boy!  How do Bobcats or Birds sit right on Joshua tree's without being stabbed?      

             What an exciting night that was too!  But Mr. Steve, as a distraction; came outside and lured Daisy and I up into the front yard by feeding us.  When it saw the "Coast was Clear," the Bobcat jumped down from up in the Joshua trees.  Dawn and Blinky were barking at it. 

            Hey God!  The "Waning" Moon will get thinner and thinner over the next few nights.  As You know already, Daisy and I really like looking at the night sky and thinking about all of You Guys up there in Heaven.  Ducks are quacking but Daffy's way louder than everyone else.

                          

"CHOLLA" CACTUS 

                                             

              The Cholla cactus' out in the back desert are glowing, and so is that new baby Cholla in the dirt over there to my right.  The Sun, which is giving me energy right now;, will rise on the eastern horizon more to the left each day.  I smell Cher the Cat hiding underneath Manny.     

            Boy!  Last night Cher caught three things to eat, two Mice; and that smelly Rat we heard really fighting back before she killed it.  At night those Owl Birds also come out to eat, and last night Dais and I heard and smelled one of them.  Oh!  Cher just ran out into the desert.

            Last night this big Scorpion went underneath Elvira but, as Daisy says; if you leave them alone they'll leave you alone too.  As I've mentioned before, I'm kind of afraid of some Bugs who live around here near us.  I wonder if that Scorpion is still down there right below me!

                

     MAGGIE CÓRDOVA       

                              

            Daisy knows I'm sort of nervous about this second book because today I'll write about the American Civil War and World War II, which our boss knows about.  But, like she says; I'll just do the best I can the same way I did yesterday.  I now smell that new baby Cholla cactus.

            Boy, as I've mentioned before; my three outlines are kind of long.  When Daisy and I put them together I was afraid to start writing my books, so I stalled by adding more and more new things; until Dais forced me to just go ahead and start.  Max the Hummingbird flew bye.    

           Last night Daisy and I reviewed my book two outline before saying our prayers and going to bed.  I was too excited to sleep very much and couldn't wait to get started.   Again today Max is alone, so it must be that 99 is way too busy in building their new Spring nest I guess. 

          

                                                                      METALLICA

                    

               Someday I want to hear METALLICA'S song "Enter Sandman," which has one of the bedtime prayers we say at night.  Daisy really likes that song, but says the Video about that kid's nightmare is so scary.  Daisy and I believe in the Sandman even though Mr. Steve doesn't.

             I suddenly feel like saying that bedtime prayer, "Now I lay me down to sleep, I pray the Lord my soul to keep.  If I should die before I wake, I pray the Lord my soul to take." Then we add on, "If I should live for other days I pray Thee Lord to guide my ways, Amen"

            Later today I'll learn about the Nazi German's 20th century "Blitzkrieg" tactics, used to conquer most of Europe in 1939 and 1940.  Dais says METALLICA have a song about Blitzkrieg and the RAMONES do "Blitzkrieg Bop."  METALLICA's Bassist's last name is "Trujillo."  

                  

 "DRAM CATCHER" CRIB ("OJIBWE") 

            PAINTING BY GEORGE CATLIN                

                              

               Oh!  Yesterday I forgot to write about "Dream Catchers," which Daisy told me are round hoops with a webbed net woven inside; and feathers around it.  The Shoshone man at the Phelan Library said they "protect the baby" from bad dreams.  So, I can just mention them now!    

            A painting shows an Indian baby in a "Cradle" with a tiny Dream Catcher hanging above its head.  Our boss has a bigger Dream Catcher.  I mentioned in book one how Abraham Lincoln liked a poem called, "The Hand That Rocks the Cradle is the Power That Rules the Earth."

            When our boss gave money to St. Joseph's School in South Dakota, the Indian kids made and sent him Dream Catchers to say thank you; or "Pilamaya" in their language.  He gave two of them to his Nieces Cristina and Samantha.  Boy!  I'd sure like to hang one over you Elvira.

         

"DREAM CATCHER"

             

                Our boss read over the phone to Mr. Dave information written on the back of a package holding a Dream Catcher.  It talked of the "Legend of the Dream Catcher."  It said how Indians from the "Great Plains" believe that the air is filled with both "good and bad" dreams. 

            The back of the package says Native Americans believe the, "good dreams pass through the center hole to the sleeping person."  The "bad dreams are trapped in the web, where they perish in the light of dawn."  All four of the Pigeons are now flying over Libby's Corral.

            Daisy says one time a Lakota Sioux girl he met told our boss what it also says on the back of that package.  Dream Catchers were "hung in the tipi or lodge and on a baby's cradleboard."  The pleasant scent of Theodora's favorite Creosote bush just floated into my left nostril. 

                                                                                                                                      RONNIE JAMES DIO (1942-2010)

                                                                                                                                                                             PHOTO BY STEVE CÓRDOVA

                              

            Later this afternoon Dais has me scheduled to write about the British Heavy Metal band BLACK SABBATH.  Their second Singer Ronnie James Dio, who Mr. Steve once took pictures of; used to make the "Metal Horns" hand gesture.  Ah!  I can smell a Lizard around here.

           Dais heard our boss tell Mr. Dave how "Dio," as a little kid; saw his Italian Grandmother use the Metal Horns symbol to "ward off" other people's "Evil Eye."  And, I guess she called it the "Malocchio."  I now see the Lizard standing over there on the wall doing some pushups.

           In 1988 at the Forum, Mr. Steve took pictures of Ronnie James Dio.  Dais told me he died, and our boss noticed in his Obituary that his birthday was July the 10th, while his is on the 9th.  I'll learn some more about Ronnie James Dio, and the history of the "Evil Eye" too; later.  

                                        

"CREATION"          

MICHAELANGELO BUONAROTTI ("SISTINE" CHAPEL)          

                   

              Hey God!  I feel like writing about "The Lord's Prayer."   That's Daisy's favorite prayer so now I'm starting to like it too, but the "Hail Mary" is still my favorite prayer Blessed Virgin;  and I think I'll say it right now as a matter of fact.  Ah!  I can hear Leo and Cleo singing.

                Looking straight ahead at the horizon beyond the three Sheds, Birds are flying all round in every direction over the eastern desert.  A brown girl Finch just landed on a boulder below the Mulberry tree but it's too late because the water's all gone now.  It doesn't see me over here.

            Daisy told me our boss has been to a few Protestant Christian weddings.  Protestants like that man Mr. Ivan say The Lord's Prayer but add on the words; "For Thine is the Kingdom, the power, and the glory, for ever and ever, Amen."  The girl Finch just flew away right now.

            

                                                 SAINT JEROME (347-420 A.D.)

PAINTING BY DOMENICO GHIRLANDAIO 

                

               Hey Lord!  My Encyclopedia says Saint Jerome was a "scholar" who "translated" from Hebrew and Greek into Latin the Scriptures, including what You said in the "Lord's Prayer;"   Boy!  He must've been smart to have been able to do that.  I can smell some older Sage.

            In one of my Notebooks Mr. Steve wrote down "The Lawyers Prayer." Daisy says it's a joke, meant to prove a Lawyer can "Over-Complicate" language; so you then have to pay them to interpret "Legalese."  Fannie and Freddie, talking to each other; are flying bye right now.

            Instead of saying "Give us this day our daily bread," The Lawyers Prayer goes; "We now respectfully petition, request and entreat that due and adequate provision be made this day and date first above inscribed, for satisfying of the petitioners nutritional requirements, and for the organizing of such methods of allocation and distribution as may be deemed necessary and proper to assure the reception, by and for, said petitioner of such quantity of cereal products (hereinafter referred to as "bread") as shall, in the judgement of the aforesaid petitioner, constitute a sufficient provision for satisfaction of said petitioners nutritional requirements." 

                              

HEATHCLIFF II WITH HENS  

            

               Heathcliff just crowed and, like yesterday he started announcing the day way before the Sun even came up this morning.  He's probably like us over here in being extra happy it's now Springtime.  I can hear his Hens clucking and they also sound really happy too again today.

            Oh!  Jack the Jackrabbit zoomed bye but, like yesterday, today I'll resist the temptation to chase him.  He now ran around the northeast corner of the house, at the far end of the Patio over there to my left; near my collection of things to chew on.  Some dust is still lingering.  

                It was hard to sleep last night because I could hardly wait to start work today.  I didn't have to do my ritual food dance below Mr. Steve's office window this morning because he came out and started doing yard work before sunup.  And he gave us a lot of food for breakfast.

           

                                                                  URIAH HEEP  

            

                Hey God!  This morning as he cut weeds with his scraper Mr. Steve played that URIAH HEEP song "Sunrise" loud on his Boombox, and the beautiful singing and organ playing made us think of You.  I kind of like the shoes people wore back in the 1970's.  I'd wear them. 

             Dais heard our boss say one time he and his friends saw URIAH HEEP play down at the "Palladium" in Hollywood.  He told his Niece Samantha "Uriah Heep" is the name of a Charles Dickens character in one of his books.  Samson and Delilah are flying over Libby's Corral. 

            Someday God, as You know; I'd really like to have a Boombox like Mr. Steve's, so I could listen DEVO any time I want.  And I'd also want to hear that one AC/DC song Rosie next door is named after.  Boy!  How could anyone have even thought of how to invent a Boombox? 

                                       

 HIGH DESERT

("SAN GABRIEL" MOUNTAINS BEHIND)

               

            Oh!  I'm hearing Vivaldi's song "La Primavera" again, which makes me feel "Uplifted" and "Inspired." That other song "Thus Spoke Zarathustra" gives me the same joyful energized feeling too.  I want to think I'm beginning to understand "Rhêma" and "Awen" better.

            Daisy heard Mr. Steve tell that kid Jason, who's learning to play guitar; a URIAH HEEP song called "Sympathy" is a "Shuffle."  In playing it on drums it's kind of hard to "consistently sustain" the bass drum part with his foot Mr. Steve said.  Some small Sparrows flew bye. 

          A slight breeze just floated in from out in the eastern desert behind Manny, Moe and Jack the Sheds; and now the chimes hanging from the Patio roof are tinkling.  Hey God!  Right now    the Sun's warmth makes me feel grateful to be alive.  I smell Andy and Helen the Squirrels.                                

 ANDY AND HELEN        

             

              Aha!  I just now noticed Andy and Helen standing over there on their favorite rock, so they're taking another break from guarding their babies.  I know they're still alert for danger, and I'll bet they're wondering why I'm spending so much time over here.  Libby whinnied.  

             Hey God!  Dais, and me too; was so happy our boss again mixed in that Spam meat with the dry food for breakfast.  We both wonder if Spam comes from a Cow, Pig or Chicken.  I see our steel water bucket over there near the sliding glass door going into this dining room.   

           As usual, Mr. Steve filled up the basin below the big tree just to my front with water.  The sunlight reflecting off of its surface was so pretty and, as I've said before; made it kind of look a little bit like a miniature Lake.  A little gray Sparrow carrying a twig just went running bye.  

                                              

                                                       NIKOLA TESLA (1856-1943)  

              

             Over the next two days Daisy has me scheduled to find out about that guy named Nikola Tesla who invented things.  Like my boss he thought 3 important, and in the late 1800's came to America to work for Thomas Edison.  A picture in my Encyclopedia shows him with a Pigeon.  

             As I mentioned yesterday, it was Nikola Tesla who invented the "A.C." electrical system. A.C. stands for "Alternating Current," while "D.C." is "Direct Current."  The band AC/DC got their name from their sister's sewing machine which had this plate on it saying "A.C-D.C."

             Dais says you can tell our boss likes talking to his parents, and trusts and respects them even though they don't always agree on everything.  His parent's relationship is an example of how to be a couple who support one another.  They're "Helpmates" but also best friends too.  

                       

MR. STEVE'S MOM       

       

            Mr. Steve's mom worked hard when he and his brothers and sisters were growing up in Sylmar.  She loves music, like Nikola Tesla hums; but didn't listen to the Radio in wanting to hear her kids if they called out for help.  Hey! I kind of wonder if us Dogs could even hum?

            In my Dictionary a definition of "Maternal" is, "motherly instinct."  Daisy says over the years Mr. Steve has had dreams where he's sitting at the kitchen table working on something as his mom does things like cooking.  And, as she moves around; she's humming to herself.

            Yesterday I mentioned how our boss thinks his mother "resembled" the character Mary Tyler Moore played in the 1970's tv show.  His mom "Ran a Household" and Girl Scout troops in the same "organized" way "Mary Richards" worked in a "News Room."  Dawn's barking. 

  

MARY TYLER MOORE

   

             From what Dais told me, in her show from the 1970's Mary Tyler Moore played the part of a happy Secretary who works for this kind of grumpy boss.  Sometimes Mr. Steve's father can also be kind of demanding too, but most of the time is patient.  A flock of Birds flew bye. 

            I noticed that morning how our boss chuckled when Mr. Randy joked his mom had "eyes in the back of her head."  And it "was a good thing she did" he said, because she saved him from making a few mistakes.  Mr. Steve still values his mom's "perspectives" on many things.  

           Wow!  What a coincidence that, just after I mention Nikola Tesla who do I see?  All four of the Pigeons are coming back in from being out there in the back desert, and are now going over the top of the house moving to the west.  For some reason seeing them makes me feel good.      

                                        

MIKE TYSON    

PHOTO BY STEVE CÓRDOVA                                                                                                                                                                    

          

            In these last two books Daisy has me scheduled to find out about that Boxer Mike Tyson.  Mr. Steve was told he grew up in New York City and as a kid raised Pigeons up on the roof of a building.  Dais saw a tv show on Mike Tyson and says he usually knocks the other guy out.

            Mr. Steve thought Mike Tyson was a nice person on that night he sat next to him in the late 1980's.  Daisy thinks he might've just acted mean in order to scare his "Opponents," which he did from what the tv show said.  A Train whistled faintly over to my left, or the north.  

           Our boss's father, who boxed in the Marines; thinks Mike Tyson "destroyed" opponents as a "Heavyweight" who "swarmed" opponents the way "Lightweight" Henry Armstrong did.  Not only was he faster, he was more powerful too.  It was like a World War II "Blitzkrieg."    

        

MR. STEVE'S PARENTS

PHOTO BY RODERICK CÓRDOVA

       

             Mr. Steve's parents have been married for about fifty eight years, but have been together for even longer than that I guess.  Daisy heard Mr. Steve's father broke his nose while Boxing in the Marines.  I just looked up and can see two long vapor trails way up there in the sky.

             Daisy is so right.  It seems obvious when they visit us how much our boss's parents have what's called "Unconditional" love for each other.  Even when she was just fifteen Dais says, Mr. Steve's mom knew already she was going to be with Mr. Steve's father; who was eighteen.

             At the age of nineteen, Mr. Steve's mom married his father when he was "discharged" from the Marines; after fighting in the Korean War.  Some thought she had been "foolish" for waiting for him but she didn't care.  She just trusted or "followed her instincts" to guide her. 

                                                              

                                                           MR. STEVE'S MOTHER

    

          Mr. Steve's parents met on April the 8th and Miss Emily's birthday is on the 9th.  Because she was waiting for Mr. Steve's dad to return from the Korean War she turned down a few guys for dates.  But, she was nice to them; and told them the truth about her situation I guess.  

          Mr. Steve says his parents "look out" for each other.  They always support one another but that doesn't mean they agree all of the time on everything.  They have never given the other one a reason to lose any of the complete trust and respect they've built up over the many years. 

          For some reason I just thought of the 16th century Italian guy Niccolò di Machiavelli, who wrote that book "The Prince."  It's a "handbook for power," and was meant to tell a "Leader" how to be "Effective."  He discussed whether it's better for a leader to be "loved or feared?"    

    

NICCOLÒ DI MACHIAVELLI (1469-1527)

PAINTING BY SANTI DI TITO

            Daisy says our boss now has his father's old copy of Machiavelli's "Treatise" The Prince.  My Encyclopedia calls Machiavelli the "Father of Modern Political Philosophy."  Since the 16th century a lot of famous world leaders have read The Prince.  A little Lizard went running bye.

           Machiavelli said a good leader must know when to be a "Lion or a Fox," when to use an "Iron Fist or Velvet Glove;" and when to "Caress or Annihilate."  Daisy heard The Prince is not a long book.  A Car or Truck drove bye out there on Primavera Road, leaving dust behind.  

           I guess Machiavelli thought, when dealing with most people; it was usually more effective for a leader to be feared rather than loved.  Indecent people are not motivated by love, and see kindness as a sign of weakness.  Love is "more effective" with decent people he wrote. 

           

  "THE GODFATHER"      

            

            Daisy told me about that movie "The Godfather."  It's about the Mafia and in it the man who became the leader thought about what Machiavelli said.  Mr. Steve's mom used kindness to motivate her Girl Scout troops.  But, in the Mafia I guess; fear is usually way more effective.     

            As a Girl Scout leader our boss's mom was "Firm but Fair," and had no examples of a girl "Acting Up" or causing problems.  Later today in chapter six Dais has me scheduled to learn about the history of American "Organized" crime in America.  Daffy's quacking over there.  

           Hey Blessed Mother!  Our boss thinks, at least in his mom's case; love was more effective as a leader because few wanted to disappoint her.  Robert E. Lee's Soldiers were the same way during the American Civil War.  Daisy thinks it would "kill our boss" to disappoint his mom. 

                                 

                        GEORGE LINDSEY (1928-2012)                       

                                                               

              All of a sudden I just thought about our boss's mom's friend Mrs. Lindsey, who was also a Girl Scout leader.  I mentioned yesterday how her husband George Lindsey played the part of "Goober" on "The Andy Griffith Show."  I can smell the new baby Cholla cactus over there. 

              Boy!  Someday I really want to see The Andy Griffith Show.  Daisy and Millie saw it and it's about a small town in "North Carolina," where Goober works at a Gas Station; and is really nice to everyone but doesn't seem very smart Dais told me.  An orange boy Finch flew bye.

              In The Andy Griffith Show "Sheriff" Andy lives with his son "Opie," and also his Aunt "Bee;" who's a really good cook Dais says.  If we lived with her we'd have good leftovers in our food bowls she jokes.  Boy!  I wonder if Mr. Steve will go back to giving us snacks today?  

                  

          OPIE /AUNT BEE / SHERIFF ANDY                        MISS BEATRICE         

                                                                                                          

             I just thought of how Mr. Steve's mom's best friend in life is her own Cousin "Beatrice," whose family lives in "Pico Rivera."  Daisy thinks Aunt Bee on The Andy Griffith Show's full name is probably Beatrice too.  Christopher Columbus's wife was also named Beatrice. 

             Mr. Steve's father says if a person has "one good friend in a lifetime" they're lucky.  His best friend was that man Mr. Garcia, who worked with him on a lot of community projects; but died a few years ago.  Boy!  Thank You so much God for having Daisy be my best friend.

            Hey Lord!  As You know already of course, Mr. Steve's Niece Stephanie has started saying "I love You" a lot lately; and now other's in the family are saying it too.  Mr. Steve's mother likes that and is grateful for the "Gifts of Grace" she thinks You've given her in life.  I smell Sage.    

                             

   STEPHANIE / DAUGHTER CRISTINA         

PHOTO BY STEVE CÓRDOVA        

                                  

              Hey Blessed Mother!  Mr. Steve has a hard time saying "I love you" all the time.  I love Daisy and should tell her more, and in fact that's exactly what I'm going to do after chapter four when I take my first big break of the day and go up front to visit with her.   I can't wait!     

              Last night Daisy and I went over book one sitting below a beautiful clear sky ceiling of Stars. Hey God!  Last night made us better understand why some "Native" People up here in the desert "Sense" You in the Universe You've created.  Boy! Thank You for creating all of us! 

             Hey God!  Daisy and I felt so good this morning as Mr. Steve cleaned our eyes and did his daily checking of our ears and stomachs.  As usual, then we ate breakfast and for the second day in a row some of that delicious Spam was mixed in.  Thank Everyone up there for our food.  

                                               

  CRUCIFIXION    

                   

            Well Lord!  As You know of course, I've been thinking about this day for a few months now because You may've died on a Friday.  Hey Lord?  Did You cause Daisy to have that dream last night about when You were killed by the Romans?  She wants to think so and I do too.  

            Hey Lord!  Now I'm supposed to write about how our boss read You might've been born on April 17, 6 B.C.  But first, I'll talk about the subjects of "Weekends;." and will come back to You afterwards.  Ah!  I love inhaling air with my nose so thank You again God for the air.

           Mr. Steve likes Friday's because of the two day weekends; even though he works on those days too if necessary.  Today I'll write about a movie Daisy saw called "Ground Hog Day," where every single day is the same and repeated over and over for this guy.  A Train whistled faintly.  

                                                                                                            FLOCK OF BIRDS             

                                                                                      

            Mr. Steve likes the weekends because, if he wants to sleep late he can; especially on cold Winter mornings.  But, as Dais and I know well; he rarely sleeps late and almost always gets up early in the morning.  That one time when he got the "Flu" was an "Exception to the Rule."    

           Daisy and Millie heard our boss talking with his father about how that one holiday called "Labor Day" came about.  This Encyclopedia says it was created in 1894 after thirty "striking" Railroad Workers were killed by the U.S. Army.   I smell Bravo Company out in the field.

           It says here celebrating a "workers holiday" in America began after the "brutal clashes" between those Railroad Workers and "authorities."  Boy!  I'll bet it really hurts to be shot with a bullet.  Yesterday, and in these last two books; I'll learn about "Bullets" and things like that.

                 

                                                        "RAILROAD STRIKE" (1894)              

                                                                                      

            My Encyclopedia says in 1894 Workers were poor, and wanted better pay and "working conditions;" which I guess were really, really bad.   So they went "On Strike."  In the second half of the 19th century "waves of poor immigrants" could be easily "exploited by employers"

           That "Industrial Revolution" began in England at the end of the 18th century, when big factories replaced many Workers.  In the early 1800's that English "Luddite Revolt" broke out "in reaction to" machines replacing Weaver's who worked at home.  I smell Arborvitae.

            From 1865 when the American Civil War finished, until the end of the 19th century; all those men called the "Robber Barons" got rich.  Andrew Carnegie's company made steel, John D. Rockefeller got millions of dollars taking oil from the ground.  A Lizard just ran bye.    

       

KARL MARX (1818-1883)  

    

             That guy Karl Marx, who wrote about "Capitalist versus Socialist" economic systems; didn't like the poor being "Taken advantage Of" by the rich.  Workers were his "Proletariat," business owners "Beorgiouse."  Our boss's dad talked about being "Worked to Death." 

             In the second half of the 19th century, when all those Robber Baron guys were making the most money; it was "not uncommon" for an "exhausted" Worker to accidentally get killed or maimed our boss read.   So they were just "Let Go."  Sometimes it was kids getting killed.

             Dais says we should be thankful we live in the United States in 2014.  In much of the rest of the world it's still like it was here in America during the time of those Robber Barons.  If you get "Permanently" injured for life, or even killed; it's "Too Bad!"  You just get "Laid Off." 

  

"STEEL FACTORY"

            Daisy told me in our boss's office, on the bookshelf behind his desk; are some books about Philosophy and things like that.  On the bottom level is this book called "The Annals of Labor," which describes the terrible "Working Conditions" in the 19th century.  I can smell Juniper.  

            Over the years Mr. Steve has known a few people who were "Machinist's" of one type or another.  And, he's had some jobs working around machines; so knows how dangerous they can be.  BLACK SABBATH'S Guitarist accidentally cut two fingertips off in a Steel Factory.

           Mr. Steve and his dad one time talked about how, in the late 19th century; there were no "Regulations" or rules about doing business.  You could do any "Dirty Trick" to "Eliminate the Competition," or create a "Monopoly."  Dawn's barking, and I smell Blinky next to him.     

        

THEODORA     

        

           Theodora the Thrasher Bird is sitting in her Creosote bush.  In 1973 Mr. Steve got a "Full Time" job at a company that "Printed" color Restaurant "Menus."  They worked ten hours a day, four days a week.  Mr. Steve liked that because he got Fridays off to do his artwork.  

           One of Mr. Steve's jobs was to put ink in the machines, and then clean it out at the end of the day.  Parts of the machines had powerful "Rollers," which our boss was warned about by a "Demonstration" using a rag which got sucked right in.  It "Made an Impression" on him.   

           Daisy heard one day our boss showed up for his morning "Work Shift," and people told him about how a guy on the night shift had his "Pony Tail" ripped right out of his head when he got too close to the rollers on the machine.  Mr. Steve, back in 1973; had long hair too.

                                      

                                                 CORNELIUS VANDERBILT (1794-1877)   

                         

           Daisy has me scheduled to write about those 19th century American Robber Barons later today but, I can mention Cornelius Vanderbilt now too.  My Encyclopedia says he owned Boats and later Railroads.  Mr. Steve did art for a nice lady who went to "Vanderbilt" University.

           It says here Cornelius Vanderbilt's Great-Great ancestor came to New York City in 1650, as one of those "Indentured Servants" I mentioned yesterday in book one.  That's where you're a Slave for a while but eventually are "Set Free."  A Train just whistled faintly over to my left.    

           In chapter three I'll learn a lot about the American Civil War.  In late 1862 the "Battle of  Fredericksburg " Virginia happened, and in it Robert E. Lee beat the Union General Ambrose Burnside.  Daisy heard, before the recession; our boss had a customer near Fredericksburg.  

    

    AMBROSE BURNSIDE (1824-1881)

          

             I guess, the term "Sideburns" was named after Ambrose Burnside because of the way he wore his beard.  That guy Cornelius Vanderbilt wore "Mutton Chop" sideburns too I see.  In his twenties, for a short time; Daisy says our boss wore sideburns like Cornelius Vanderbilt. 

            My Encyclopedia says "Vanderbilt" is a Dutch name.  That Painter Vincent van Gogh, who I wrote about yesterday; was also from the "Netherlands."  Oh!  It says here that Ambrose Burnside was born on May 23rd, which I notice is also Mr. Steve's brother Sam's birthday.      

            Just like yesterday, when I look a person up I see what their birthday is and compare it to the list of Mr. Steve's family dates Daisy helped me put together.  His family has many birthdays in May, and Mr. Steve's parents "Wedding Anniversary" is on May 24th.  Dawn's barking.

                              

                                     MR. STEVE'S PARENTS / GRANDMA CÓRDOVA

                                             ("SAN FERNANDO" MISSION / "CÓRDOVA" FOUNTAIN)

PHOTO BY STEVE CÓRDOVA             

          

            When Daisy and I put together our three long outlines we were kind of impressed at how Mr. Steve's parents "Care For" each other.  Daisy told me Mr. Steve once used the phrase "Alter Ego" to describe their relationship.  All four of his Grandparents were the exact same way.

            According to my Latin Dictionary, "Dimidium animae Meae" means; "Half of my Soul" in English.  That's also how someone once described it when a couple is fully "committed" to one another no matter what.  And that's exactly the way Mr. Steve's parents are right now.

            Jacob, Mr. Steve's brother Rock's son; was born on May the 26th and his Niece Raqquel in Littlerock celebrates the 30th as her birthday.  That guy Cornelius Vanderbilt was born on the 27th of May.  Boy! I sure do wish we knew when my birthday was so we could celebrate.  

            

                     NANCY /RONALD REAGAN                    MR. STEVE'S PARENTS

HULTON ARCHIVES / GETTY IMAGES           

                                  

            Over the next two days I'll learn about that guy Ronald Reagan, who was the Governor of California before being American President in the 1980's.  Daisy heard our boss tell Mr. Mike how Ronald Reagan and his wife "Nancy" remind him of his parents.  I smell some Sage.

             Daisy and I both noticed how, to this day; Mr. Steve's parents still sometimes hold hands. I guess Mr. Steve said Nancy Reagan was criticized for openly "Promoting" her husband but she didn't care and said, "If he had sold shoes I would have pushed shoes."  Dawn's barking.

            Mr. Steve's mom is like Nancy Reagan Dais thinks, because she does "whatever it takes" to help her family.  Mr. Steve, his mom and sister Susan visited the Ronald Reagan Library in Simi Valley to see an exhibit about Genghis Khan.  Ah!  I smell  Andy and Helen's baby's.        

            

BABY SQUIRRELS        

                                           

              Seeing Andy over there sniffing the air is making me really look forward to seeing their new babies when they finally come up outside the burrow.  Babies are so cute and make me want to someday have some of my own.  Leo and Cleo the Robins are flying toward the northeast.       

             I wasn't going to write about Cornelius Vanderbilt now but, it's okay since I'm writing about the "Railroad Strike."  He was a "business magnate" called the "Commodore."  He died right before that 1894 Strike, when all of those striking Workers were killed by the Army.      

           Boy!  It would be so great to have a school named for you! Dais says the lady who went to Vanderbilt University told our boss she "didn't appreciate" and "took for granted" her College  years just like Mr. Steve says he did.  Anyway, I'll come back to Cornelius Vanderbilt later.                           

                                                 GROVER CLEVELAND (1837-1908)     

           

            This one Encyclopedia says, to "make it up to the workers;" in 1894 President Grover Cleveland "declared" a "national holiday" in honor of those thirty workers killed.  The picture of Grover Cleveland has been "Painted."  Mr. Steve used to color black and white prints.

            I guess from 1861, and then all of the way through 1933; there were only two "Democrat" Presidents.  Woodrow Wilson was one of them and he was in office before, during; and after the First World War.  And it says here how the only other one was that guy Grover Cleveland, 

           Oh!  Jack the Jackrabbit was standing near Manny the far right Shed.  He smelled me over here so ran away, with Andy watching him.  Wow!  It's amazing how he runs so fast when he goes through the right vertical slot on the side of the gate without hitting his head hard.

                              

              ABRAHAM LINCOLN (1809-1865)                FRANKLIN ROOSEVELT (1882-1945)

PHOTO BY MATHEW BRADY                                                                                                                                      

                               

             It was Abraham Lincoln who started the many years of Republican domination when he was elected in 1860, but his election "triggered" the outbreak of the Civil War.  As I mentioned yesterday, before they were called "Republicans;" they were the "Whig" Party.  I smell Sage.

            Franklin Roosevelt became President in 1933 during the Great Depression.  Mr. Randy noticed how Democrats have been in office during the Civil War, both World Wars; and Vietnam too.  But Republicans, like George Bush Sr. and Jr.; fought the Iraq and Afghanistan wars.

            Mr. Steve thinks males often need female "Influence" in their lives, whether as a mother or partner.  As I've said before; President Lincoln liked that one poem; "The Hand That Rocks the Cradle is the Power That Rules the Earth."  There are some thin clouds up in the sky.

  

           ABRAHAM LINCOLN          WOODROW WILSON       FRANKLIN ROOSEVELT                                                                               

          As I wrote yesterday, a lot of people don't know that after Woodrow Wilson had a big "Stroke;" his wife became the real President "Behind the Scenes" as they say.  So, you could say she was the only female American President.  Seeing clouds always makes me feel good.                

           Today I'll write a lot about World War II so will deal with Adolph Hitler, Joseph Stalin, Winston Churchill and President Roosevelt.  Both Hitler and Roosevelt were called "Momma's Boys."  When our boss learned to Bike ride the first person he wanted to show was his mom.        

             My Encyclopedia says that guy Grover Cleveland is the only U.S. President in history to "serve" two "non-consecutive" terms.  Boy!  That is kind of unique alright.  Ah!  The slight scent of one of the Manzanita bushes out there in the eastern desert behind the Sheds floated in.            

                              JOHN ADAMS / JOHN QUINCY ADAMS          GEORGE BUSH JR. / GEORGE BUSH SR.                                 

           Later today Dais has me scheduled to write about how twice in American history there has been a father and a son as President.  One was John Adams and his son John Quincy Adams, the other time was the two George Bush's.  I see Libby walking around over there in her Corral.

          When I write about George Bush Sr. and Jr. I'll find out about the two wars in Iraq, and also the Afghanistan war.  Mr. Steve has met a few guys who fought in that 1991 "Desert Storm" war to kick Saddam Hussein's Iraq out of "Kuwait" which he had invaded.  I smell Libby.   

          This is very interesting.  My Encyclopedia says President Cleveland tried to "appease" the angry Workers by "establishing" Labor Day but, he didn't want to it be on May 1st because that date in 1894 was then "associated" with "Karl Marx-type Communism."  Heathcliff crowed.

                                            

             "HAY MARKET AFFAIR" (MAY 3, 1886)                 

                                                                                                           

             It says here President Cleveland decided to celebrate "Labor Day" on the first Monday in September.  Another reason he didn't put it on May 1 was because it would remind everyone of a 1886 "brutal crackdown" in Chicago of "labor agitators."  Two of the Pigeons just flew bye.    

               In 1894 May 1 was "International Workers Day," which "commemorated" this 1886 riot where Workers and Police died in a Chicago Hay Market.  Some "Anarchist" speakers "worked up" the crowd, a bomb exploded; and then a "melee" broke out.  I like how Libby smells.  

           After the "Hay Market Affair" Workers were arrested, a few "Put to Death;" but those killed in the riot became "Martyrs of Chicago."  Most Workers now have "eight hour days" and "weekends off.  My Dictionary says one definition of "Anarchy" is, "disorder and violence."

    

                                                                                     EMMA GOLDMAN (1869-1940)    

   

                  Dais and Millie one times saw a good tv show about the history of American "Organized Labor."  It talked about people called "Anarchists," and this one Russian Jewish immigrant girl named Emma Goldman.  She had a Newspaper called "Mother Jones" Daisy told me about.

            In College Mr. Steve and his sister Susan read about Emma Goldman.  It says here in my Encyclopedia she was a "political activist writer and lecturer," and I guess the Government did not like her "advocating for the poor workers."  Samson and Delilah are flying to the east. 

            That girl Emma Goldman, who lived mainly in New York City after coming from Russia; got angry when she heard about what had happened in Chicago in 1886.  She began to write and "Lecture" against people like the Robber Barons.   A Train just whistled faintly to my left.     

        

 ALEXANDER BERKMAN TRIES TO KILL  HENRY CLAY FRICK (1892)

DRAWING BY W.P. SNYDER     

     

                 Daisy told me the tv show said in 1892 Emma Goldman's boyfriend Alexander Berkman tried to kill a greedy man who worked for the big steel company in Pennsylvania.  But, his gun "misfired;" so then he tried to stab the guy but wasn't strong enough Dais says.  I smell Sage.

            It says here that guy Alexander Berkman ended up going to prison for fourteen years.  He and Emma Goldman were "deported" or kicked out of the U.S. during World War I, because of how they were so against that war.  That black and orange Monarch Butterfly just went bye. 

            The man on the tv show about organized labor said Emma Goldman arrived in America with only a sewing machine.  I'll bet she came through "Ellis Island" like all of the other poor "Ashkenazi" Jews.  Miss Emily and Miss Harriet's ancestors were also Ashkenazi Jews too.      

                                                     

"HOPE"        

          

              Well Lord!  Back to writing about You again and now I'll mention why some think You were born on April the 17th of the year 6 B.C.  As I've said, our boss Mr. Steve does not believe in "Astrology;" but Dais and I sort of want to.  Ah!  I can smell a Lizard around here. 

              As You know Lord, Mr. Steve likes Library's.  Daisy says he once met a Jewish man at over at the Sylmar Library who "made a good case" for You being born in April rather than in December.  He said in Your time the Shephard's would be "watching Sheep" in Spring.  

             That man said Lord how it's "more likely" back then a Shepherd would be "tending his flock at night in Springtime.  Those Baby Sheep called "Lambs" are born in Spring, which is when they need protection against Wolves.  I know St. Joseph protected You as a kid Lord.

           

"CHRIST THE PROTECTOR"          

              

           John the Baptist called You the "Lamb of God" Lord!  Daisy told me for a short time our neighbor's had some Sheep over there, and she still occasionally hears them and Mollie in some of her dreams.  She heard how you can eat Sheep, and baby Lambs taste pretty good too.

           The Jewish man at the Sylmar Library said most Jews don't believe in Astrology but some do.  One of the times when ancient Israel was conquered the Babylonians "Hauled Off" most of the Jewish "survivors" as prisoners to "Babylon."  Aha!  I see the Lizard I've been smelling.     

           I guess, the ancient Babylonians in "Mesopotamia" were like the pre-Columbian Mayan and Aztec cultures; in closely studying the night sky.  Daisy says the man at the Library thought some of the captive Jews "exiled" in Babylon "probably" started to believe in Astrology then.

       

          "DEAD SEA SCROLLS"                    "DEAD SEA"                          "QUMRAN" AREA   

             

           Yesterday I wrote a little bit about our boss's 1985 visit to Israel and how the Tour Group saw some of those "Dead Sea Scrolls" at that Jerusalem Museum.  They're the old "Documents" found in some caves near the "Dead Sea."   A little Sparrow holding a twig just ran bye.  

           Hey Lord!  Were You one of those "Essenes" who hid all of the Dead Sea Scrolls from the Romans in the caves near their town "Qumran?"  Some scrolls were from Your time, and a few dealt with Astrology I guess.  They were found in 1947, only two years after World War II. 

          The Jewish man at the Library thought, when the ancient Jews "returned from exile" in Babylon; they could've just brought Astrology back to Israel.  It's too bad the Romans ended up killing all the Essenes.  I see my collection of things to chew over there at the end of the Patio.

                                      

"ARIES"       

                        

              Hey Lord!  If You were born in April, that would make You an "Aries;" which the Jewish man reminded our boss in Astrology is symbolized by a Ram.   It says here most Aries are born between today March the 21st, and April the 20th; Adolph Hitler's birthday.  I smell Sage. 

           Mr. Steve's ex-girlfriend Emily's birthday is April the 9th so she's an Aries too.  Our boss said Mr. Andrew in that band DREAM FRONTIER was also born on April the 9th.  As I wrote yesterday, there are twelve "Signs" of the "Zodiac;" depending on what date you were born.     

          Sheep are important to the history of New Mexico, as a kid Grandpa Córdova having to guard them.   Daisy says we couldn't raise a pet Lamb because we wouldn't be able to eat it.  As a young girl our boss's mom was told by Grandpa Trujillo not to get "too attached to Pigs. 

                              

LAMB OF GOD

                  Daisy says Mr. Steve's customer in Virginia told him about a "Groove Metal" local band called LAMB OF GOD.  Their Singer is in what used to called "Czechoslovakia," sitting in jail because a fan died at one of their really wild concerts.  It's now called the "Czech Republic."

            I guess Mr. Steve has never heard any LAMB OF GOD songs, but told Mr. Dave one time he would probably like them because that Parts Manager said they're "influences" are BLACK SABBATH, METALLICA; and PANTERA.  Dawn's barking.  I can smell little Blinky.

            Mr. Steve told that Parts Manager he's Catholic, and has wondered if the guys in LAMB OF GOD are religious; or anti-religious.   I guess the Parts Manager said, from what he heard; the name is mainly so people wouldn't think they were a "Satanic" band.  I like Dawn's voice.   

                

"JASON AND THE ARGONAUTS"  

                        

           A picture in this Encyclopedia shows a scene from a movie about the ancient Greek story called "Jason and the Argonauts."  Dais and Millie saw it on tv one night when they were in the    living room.  Daisy says that lady Edith Hamilton wrote about Jason and the Argonauts.             

         It says how here one reason a Ram is the Aries symbol is it represents a "flying Ram" in Jason and the Argonauts' "search" for the "Golden Fleece."  Daisy has me scheduled to find out  about that story when I talk about this man named Ray Harryhousen.  I smell Mesquite.              

         This Dictionary says fleece is Sheep's "wool," and I guess wool is fur.  One time Dais and Millie heard our boss say "fleeced" to describe when someone is "fooled" by "dishonest" people into into losing money.  Mr. Steve, Miss Babette, Susan and Karin sell things made of fleece.                                   

ADOLPH HITLER(1889-1945)

    

           Hey Lord!  That guy Adolph Hitler, who I'll write a lot about today and tomorrow; was an Aries because his birthday was April 20.  I mentioned how Mr. Steve and his father think Hitler    was one of, if not the most; "influential" person in the 20th century.  Heathcliff just crowed.      

         This is so interesting.  My Encyclopedia describes Aries as often having "fighting spirit."  Yup!  That sure does sound like Hitler alright because, not only did he fight in World War I; in    1939 he and Stalin conquered Poland and started the biggest war in history Mr. Steve says.          

          Oh!  A "key phrase" for Aries is "I am."  Wow!  I wonder if I'm Aries?  Lord?  The man at the Sylmar Library thinks the "early Christians" began celebrating Your birthday in December  because the Roman "Gentiles" they were trying to convert already had a big holiday then.           

            

 LEONARDO DA VINCI (1452-1519)    

SELF-PORTRAIT           

          

          That Italian Renaissance guy Leonardo da Vinci's birthday was April the 15th so, he was an Aries too Lord.  Speedy Gonzalez just ran bye in front of the Sheds and left behind some dust floating in the air.  Andy over there alertly watched him go bye, and is now looking at me.             

           I've mentioned how, if our boss could use Mr. Peabody's "Way Back" Time Machine he'd travel to the 16th century.  But, he'd also like to see what New Mexico was like during Billy the    Kid's time.   Daisy, and me too of course Lord; would want to see what You smelled like.               

        Hey Lord!  Daisy says every few months a new group of young Mormon "Missionaries" come to live for a while here in Piñon Hills.  For a time some of them used to come to our house    but not lately I guess.  Daisy says she and Millie noticed they always wore really nice suits.                                          

MORMON TEMPLE (SALT LAKE CITY)       

                   

            I'm looking at the picture of that huge Mormon Temple in Salt Lake City, Utah.  Lord, Mr. Steve got invited to see those teenage brother and sister get "Baptized" at the small L.D.S.    temple in Phelan.  Dais heard, in all white robes; they got totally dunked under the water.             

           Hey Lord!  Daisy says us Catholics get baptized by just pouring a little bit of holy water onto your  forehead.  But Mormons get their whole body wet just like how John the Baptist did    when he Baptized You.  Mr. Steve's Tour Group visited the "Jordon" River back in 1985.             

           As You know Lord, Dais and I would like to get Baptized; but not by going underwater.     I wonder of I can swim, which Daisy told me is easy because all you have to do is "paddle" and move your legs back and forth to keep you from sinking down.   Two of the Pigeons flew bye.                                                              

BAPTISM OF JACOB / STEPHANIE CÓRDOVA

PHOTOS BY STEVE CÓRDOVA         

                               

         I guess us Catholics get Baptized as babies, and Mr. Steve said it's meant to be a happy occasion to celebrate.  It sounds so fun and I like the idea of having a party with good food the      way Daisy tells me you do.  Libby's walking around very slowly over there in her Corral.              

          Dais says one of the Mormon Missionary's who came over to our house said some Latter Day Saints also think You were most likely born in the Spring Lord.  I sure wish we could have    been there on the night You were born.  Back in 1985 Mr. Steve visited Bethlehem in Israel.          

          Looking to the east beyond the Sheds, puffy white clouds are above the desert.  I see some Crows circling around out there, so they must've spotted something dead down on the ground.    Yup!  They're all diving down to the ground below and squawking and cawing at each other.       

                 

"BURIAL OF CHRIST"

PAINTING BY CARL HEINRICH BLOCH

                             

              Oh wow Lord!  When I just looked up Joseph of Arimathea, I see a painting of You being buried; and everyone looks so sad.  Mr. Steve's father says Joseph of Arimathea, who let You be buried in his tomb; "must've had money."  The Crows are fighting out there in the desert.

           Hey Lord!  Daisy thinks Joseph of Arimathea, a member of the "Sanhedrin;" must have really believed in You.  I've mentioned how Mr. Steve's parents already have Crypts over at the "Mission Cemetery."  I just now thought of our little cemetery alongside the driveway.     

            Boy Blessed Mother!  Dais and I would love to go back in time to lick Your faces, in order to get to know You Guys better.  As You know, we've wondered if You Guys ever needed a Dog, and if You do maybe it could be Daisy and I.  I can smell some of the Beavertail cactus's.  

       

                                                        IGGY AND THE STOOGES

      

               I just thought about that band from Detroit IGGY AND THE STOOGES.  Dais says they have a good song about wanting to be a Dog, which has steady, driving beat; and a piano that keeps on playing just one note over and over again.  Blackbeard and Anne Bonny flew bye.          

          Someday I want to hear the STOOGES song about the Dog, which Daisy heard came out in 1969; when our boss was fourteen.  Mr. Dave in New Mexico likes the sleigh bells in that song Daisy told me.  A Car or Truck went bye out there on Primavera Road and I see the dust.             

           Tomorrow Lord, Daisy has me scheduled to write about that girl Mary Magdalene; who our boss and his dad think might've been Your wife.  I feel like doing it now but I'd better just follow Daisy's original plan.  But I think I will mention that guy Joseph of Arimathea now.  

          

                                   JOSEPH OF ARIMATHEA (DATES UNKNOWN)  

                

            Hey Lord!  My Encyclopedia says Joseph of Arimathea is "mentioned" in the four New Testament Books Mathew, Mark, Luke and John.  Mr. Steve and his Grandma Córdova talked about him in 1985 when visiting Jerusalem's "Church of the Holy Sepulcher."  I smell Sage.    

            Lord!  Daisy says our boss's father thinks, if You hadn't been buried on that one Friday; the Romans would've probably just thrown Your dead body into a "Garbage Dump" outside of Jerusalem.  Or they might've just burned Your "Corpse" like useless trash.  Oh wow!

              Is there a "Holy Grail" cup Lord?  Daisy says You supposedly drank wine from it at the "Last Supper."  If we had it we'd never sell it, even though we could be "Set for Life."  Daisy, Libby and Rosie could drink from it to maybe get Your power; and possibly live longer too.   

                         

       JUAN PONCE DE LEÓN (1474-1521)              HERNANDO DE SOTO (1500-1542)                                                                                                   ARTWORK BY BLAKE Z                            

            

              Hey God!   I just thought of how, in the 16th century; that guy Ponce de León is said to have searched for that "Fountain of Youth" in "Florida."  About thirty years later Hernando de Soto explored what would later be the Southeast part of the U.S.   A Lizard just ran bye.   

              I was supposed to write about Ponce de León yesterday, before the section on Hernando Córtez; but somehow didn't notice it on my outline.  Last night Daisy told me not to panic, but to just look for a place to insert it today instead.  And I think this would be a pretty good time.

             My Encyclopedia says how, in 1513 or about twenty years after Christopher Columbus' first voyage; Juan Ponce de León sailed up from the Caribbean Ocean to explore what he called "La Florida."  That's the State of "Florida" region now.  Andy's sniffing the air over there.

                   

16TH CENTURY SPANISH EXPLORATIONS (NORTH AMERICA)

           

             I guess, La Florida is Spanish for "Land of Flowers;" and this map shows three 1500's Spanish explorations.  Oh!  It says here Lord Ponce de León's three Ships "arrived" in Florida during Your Easter season, or "Pascua Florida."  I can smell the new baby Cholla cactus.

            Our boss told Mr. Randy that morning how some people think Ponce de León went to Florida to find the Fountain of Youth.  But others doubt that story, thinking he "might've" just been there to capture Indian's to make Slaves.  A Freight Train whistled faintly to my left.

            Because the Caribbean Indians had told him stories about a Fountain of Youth, Ponce de León went up to Florida.  But, the problem with that is; they told him it was in this other place called "Bimini."  Two vapor trails are slowly crisscrossing way up there in the morning sky.

         

NORTHERN CARRIBEAN SEA  REGION         

                

                There's a good map in this Encyclopedia that shows Bimini.  The caption says it's the area where where the "Bahama" Islands are "closest" to Florida's "mainland."  Daisy told me that our boss has a "Ford" and "Sterling" Truck dealership customer near to the city of "Miami."

           Aha!  I knew I was being looked at, and now see Jack the Jackrabbit resting over there in the shade of Theodora's favorite Creosote bush.  Behind the three Sheds, out there in the eastern desert; I see a few Birds zipping about.  And I can also hear some Finches singing happily.

          From what Daisy heard our boss tell Mr. Dave, he had more customers in Florida before the recession; some going "out of business" and others deciding just to use "local" vendors who bought vehicles.  Auto Racing is a really popular thing back there in Florida Daisy told me.

       

      JEFF GORDON            

                                                          

           Yesterday I wrote a little bit about "N.A.S.C.A.R." racing.  Dais says our boss sells racing things to a guy back in in Florida, whose favorite Driver is Jeff Gordon; who resells them at the "Daytona 500."  N.A.S.C.A.R just stands for the "National Association of Stock Car Racing."     

            As I've said a few times already in these first two books, when younger Mr. Steve had two 1968 "Chevelle's;" the last one an "S.S." or "Super Sport" version.  Jack is sprinting toward the northeast corner of the house to my left.  He'll go up front to see what's going on up there.

            I just thought of that guy Edgar Cayce, who I guess was sort of like a more modern day Nostradamus.  He predicted the future, just like those "Sybil" girls did in ancient Greece; at the town of "Delphi."  Ah!  I just picked up the slight scent of a Lizard somewhere around here.

             

    "BIMINI"          

                

     Wow!  Three pictures of "Bimini" show Diver's swimming above what looks like huge "Carved" blocks on the bottom of the Ocean.  Daisy says the man on a tv show said how Edgar Cayce predicts the "remains" of "Atlantis" would be found there.  But so far he's wrong.            

           Later today Dais has me scheduled to write about the "Advanced" society of Atlantis.  It was supposedly an island, destroyed in a huge disaster; and now no one knows where it used to be.   Aha!  I just noticed a small little Lizard over there standing perfectly still in the dirt.          

         Some believe Atlantis was in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean but Edgar Cayce thought it would be found in Bimini, to the west of Florida.  And in those photos it does show Divers above  what looks to me like big, huge fallen blocks from a gigantic wall.  I can smell some Sage.                                                                                                    EDGAR CAYCE (1877-1945)                                          ATLANTIS (PLATO)                                                                                                                                      

           The caption below the picture of the Divers at Bimini says Edgar Cayce predicted what's left of  Atlantis would be discovered in the late 20th century.  And then, in 1968; they found all of those giant blocks in Bimini's waters.  Wow!  It sure seems like it would be Atlantis alright!          

        Daisy heard that guy Plato wrote about Atlantis.  Edith Hamilton, who I've mentioned before; wrote about ancient Greece where Socrates, Plato and Aristotle lived.   Up in the sky I      just noticed there's a small flock of Birds all flying together as a team toward the northeast.         

           Oh what the heck!  I feel like mentioning  Atlantis now too.  Daisy says our boss thinks, "if there was an Atlantis" it was probably not out in the Atlantic Ocean; and Plato "might've been    referring to the second century B.C. Bronze Age Minoan"culture."  Libby just whinnied.             

  

             ANCIENT GREECE                     ATLANTIS?                PALACE OF KING MINOS                                  

         This Encyclopedia says Minoan culture, mainly located on the island of "Crete;" was the first European "advanced" civilization.  It was named for King Minos of that old story.  Wow!  It says here Minoan buildings had "plumbing" and things like that even way back in 2,000 B.C.      

           Yesterday I mentioned the small "Dormant" volcanoes near us here in Piñon Hills.  It says here Minoan society was "totally destroyed" by a huge "volcanic eruption."  Oh!  I just noticed  Rudy the Roadrunner jogging past the three Sheds, but again today I won't chase him at all.        

         Mr. Steve, his mom and Niece Cristina saw that one exhibit about the explosion of "Mount Vesuvius" downtown at the "Science Center."  In happened in 79 A.D.   The "Natural History    Museum, where Mr. Steve and his mom had their Art Exhibit; is near to the Science Center.                                   WORLD WAR II    

                    (GREECE / "CRETE" / 1941)                  

                         

          In early 1941, just before they attacked their ally the Soviet Union; Hitler's Germany used "paratroops" to take the island of Crete and conquer Greece.  In the same month the Nazis also  used "Blitzkrieg" tactics to overwhelm Yugoslavia too.   Dawn and Blinky are both barking.        

         Daisy has me scheduled to learn a lot about the American Civil War and World War II in this second book, but I'll refer back to things I wrote yesterday; like the "Mexican War" of 1846-1848 for example.  Tomorrow in book three I'll really learn more about the First World War.       

         I'm still thinking about the Fountain of Youth.  My Encyclopedia says, as early as the 5th century B.C. the Greek historian Herodotus mentioned it; so Ponce de León might've heard of  it that way.  Dais and I kind of want to believe in things like Atlantis and the Fountain of Youth.                               

                                                                               HERODOTUS (484-425 B.C.)  

         

               Hey Lord!  Dais told me how our boss met that older man from "Scotland."  He knew a lot about Joseph of Arimathea, the Holy Grail; and Mary Magdalene.  I guess, he thought it was "likely" Mary Magdelene might've been Your wife and had kids with You.  Daffy's quacking.   

             I can tell Daisy was in a good mood this morning, and slept "Soundly" last night here on Elvira.  I didn't sleep much but I'm not even tired at all, and even though I'm working I can still be alert for intruders today.  I can see Andy over there guarding their burrow's entrance.

  

                                        "METEORA," GREECE                                       GREECE

         

           Boy!  I kind of feel like taking an early big break, and go up front to visit with Daisy but; I better just wait and do that after Part One or chapter four.  I know for sure she's wondering how it's going back here with me working on this second book.  Andy's sniffing the air over there.

                                      

                                            WREN IN CHOLLA CACTUS PATCH

                                                                                        

            I just glanced up and see that Wren making its nest in Cholla cactus patch behind the back fence.  In my head I'm hearing again URIAH HEEP'S song "Sunrise," and it's making me feel glad it's Spring and giving me a happy feeling of Rhêma.  I smell the baby Cholla cactus.       

          Thinking of songs like La Primavera or Sunrise gives me energy, and makes me really appreciate being alive.  Having these three books to work on gives me a project to focus on and    keep busy.  Mr. Steve jokes how "some" people "need" a project to stay "out of trouble."             

              Hey God!  I think I've made the final decision to "Take the Plunge," and go all the way down the hall on Sunday.  It's been over a year after all.  Then I can go into Mr. Steve's bedroom to watch tv, and listen to way more music like all of the good songs Daisy's told me all about.       

         

ALBUM COVER ARTWORK BY ROGER DEAN      

              

                 One time, when Daisy and Millie were in Mr. Steve's bedroom; he played URIAH HEEP songs on his Stereo.  Dais noticed all the "Fantasy-Themed" artwork on URIAH HEEP'S album covers.  Mr. Steve told that kid Jason they were done by a British guy named Roger Dean.

           Mr. Steve's mom, knowing she's paint over them later; allowed Mr. Steve to draw on his bedroom wall a big image from a URIAH HEEP album cover. He drew a boy standing on a rock with a sword.  He also drew this man holding a lantern from a LED ZEPPELIN album.     

           I guess, Mr. Steve wishes he'd taken some pictures of his bedroom walls; when all of those drawings were on them.  But, eventually they were painted over and covered up so now the walls are back to being just white.  At first Mr. Steve's father didn't really like drawing on walls.

            

ROGER DEAN         

             

              I guess that guy Roger Dean, back in the early 1970's when Mr. Steve was a teenager; did the album cover art for other bands too.  He did some artwork for British bands like ASIA and YES.  Blackbeard and Anne Bonny are flying bye out in the back desert, going to the east.   

           Mr. Steve can "Copy" or "Duplicate" things, and admires people like Roger Dean who can come up with ideas "right out of their heads."  That guy Mr. Hussein from Egypt, who did paintings showing Kobe Bryant and Michael Jackson; is good at "Portraits."  I smell Sage.       

          Daisy says our boss has an old vinyl record of a British band called ATOMIC ROOSTER. Sometimes, he shows people the album cover; because the artwork was done by that guy Roger Dean.  But it doesn't look anything like the fantasy images he's now so famous for doing.

               

ATOMIC ROOSTER         

             

        From what Daisy told me, she thinks that band ATOMIC ROOSTER have a good piano player; even though she's only heard a few of their songs.  Ah!  A nice breeze just came in from    my right side, and Libby's scent floated in with it.  And so did Dawn and Blinky's too.                   

           Andy's over there sniffing the air to make sure Goliath or Cher aren't around.  Boy!  For some reason I have one of those feelings of Déjà Vu because another time I watched Andy as the smells of everyone next door blew in over here.  Now I can also smell Andy over there.

            Looking out into the eastern desert beyond the Sheds, the Sun's position hanging above the horizon makes me think it's about nine o clock.  The Wrens, Finches and Sparrows sound so happy again today.  The air is clear, and I smell that clump of Joshua trees above Andy.  

  

                                                    EMERSON, LAKE AND PALMER

              Usually those "Three Piece" bands our boss likes have bass, drums and guitar; but back in the 1970's there was a unique British Progressive Rock band called EMERSON, LAKE AND  PALMER.  They used bass, drums and keyboards.  I can smell that one older Sage bush.              

           Daisy told me some "E.L.P." songs use a guitar but most don't, and in a lot of their songs there's no singing.  I guess, our boss thinks all three members of E.L.P. are really talented; and    so does Mr. Dave too.  Two Pigeons flew in from the desert and landed on the Patio roof.               

         Mr. Dave, and our boss; both think E.L.P.'S Drummer was so good.  Mr. Steve told Mr. Dave Carl Palmer was a member of ATOMIC ROOSTER at one time, and Keith Emerson was    in a band called the NICE.  The Pigeons are walking around up there above me right now.            

                

                                                                        "TARKUS"  

                      

           Dais heard our boss and his mom talk about a 1970's E.L.P. album called "Tarkus."  The cover shows a World War I Tank that's part "Armadillo," and I guess Mr. Steve also drew that    Tank on his bedroom wall too.  Andy's over there guarding he and Helen's burrow entrance.        

          Mr. Steve has described some of E.L.P.'s music as "symphonic" Rock.  Dais told me they do a version of a Bach song, and also play "Hoedown" and "Fanfare for the Common Man" by Aaron Copeland.  The Pigeons just lifted off and are now flying back out into the desert.               

         I'm mainly scheduled to learn about "Blues" music tomorrow in book three.  But, right now I sort of feel like mentioning it now too.  Daisy says our boss has some Blues albums, but he told his sister Susan one time how some are old 78 R.P.M. versions so he can't play them.                    

         ROBERT JOHNSON (1911-1938)     HOWLIN WOLF (1910-1976)     JOHN LEE HOOKER (1917-2001)                             

            Daisy heard our boss and Mr. Dave talk about Robert Johnson, Howlin Wolf and John Lee Hooker.  Yesterday I mentioned how John Lee Hooker died on the same day as Grandma      Trujillo.  ZZ TOP's song "La Grange" is just a heavier version of his song Mr. Steve thinks.         

             As much as our boss likes "Traditional" acoustic Blues, he prefers electric styles; like the 1950's "Chess" records made in "Chicago."  He also likes those 1960's Blues influenced British    bands like FLEETWOOD MAC and the ROLLING STONES.  I can smell some Juniper.             

           Some people joke white people can't play "authentic" Blues music because they've never felt the hardships of black Americans.  Our boss told Mr. Dave of a funny song called "Can Blue Men Sing the Whites?" by a British group BONZO DOG DOO DAH BAND.  I like Juniper.                    

        BONZO DOG BAND               CANNED HEAT                 STEVIE RAY VAUGHN     

       

            Right now I'm suddenly hearing that song "Goin' Up the Country" by CANNED HEAT, who were influenced by Blues.  I can't wait to someday hear their other good song "On the Road Again," even though it doesn't have any flute in it.  A Train whistled faintly over to my left.

           Dais says On the Road Again does have harmonica, and the guy sings in the same style as he does on Goin' Up the Country.  She says our boss's favorite CANNED HEAT song is "Let's Work Together," which he plays on drums.  In my mind I'm still hearing Pigeons cooing.

            I just thought of that time Mr. Steve and Miss Harriet saw Stevie Ray Vaughn and Jeff Beck play at the "Sports Arena" downtown, both playing electric music influenced by Blues.  In these final two books I'll be coming  back to the subject of Blues.  I smell some Arborvitae.      

                           

SUNRISE OVER THE HIGH DESERT

           

              Looking at the Sun makes me think about this morning, and now I'm hearing URIAH HEEP'S song Sunrise.   I can't wait to actually hear it again, because even imagining it gives me a joyous and uplifting feeling of "Rhêma."   A flock of Birds is flying over Libby's Corral.  

             Boy!  It's too bad the only time I can now hear music is when our boss comes outside to work.  Looking at my blankets Barry, Robin and Maurice that Mr. Chris got me makes me look forward to hearing the BEE GEES song "Staying Alive."  It makes you feel happy Dais says.

            Hearing that song Sunrise makes me think about Charles Dickens, who wrote the book  URIAH HEEP got their name from.  Mr. Steve told his mom Charles Dickens wrote about the "good and bad" things about 19th century "Victorian" England.  Libby whinnied over there.   

        

CHARLES DICKENS (1812-1870)  

         

                Oh!  What a coincidence that just as I mention Charles Dickens I can smell a Beavertail cactus.   In the picture he's holding a "Top" hat, which I would wear; made from a Beaver.  Our boss told Mr. Ralph, in the 18th and 19th centuries; other hats were also made of Beaver.

              Heathcliff crowed!  He crowed more than usual yesterday and Dais noticed it too.  And so far today he's still crowing over there, which I kind of like because it gives me energy to write this second what I know for sure is going to be another long book.  I'll have to work hard.

             All of a sudden I just thought of  that band CHICAGO.  They really are from the city of "Chicago" and Daisy heard our boss tell Mr. Rich, who plays the guitar; Jimi Hendrix said their Guitarist Terry Kath was "better" than himself.   Frida and Diego the Bluebirds flew bye.   

                

            CHICAGO TRANSIT AUTHORITY                          TERRY KATH (1946-1978)  

                     

                One time our boss and Mr. Dave talked about CHICAGO'S Guitarist Terry Kath.  Daisy heard how he accidentally shot himself in the head, thinking a gun he was holding was unloaded; which unfortunately for him was very incorrect.   Too bad!  Dais says he was so talented.

           Mr. Steve used to have a customer who told him how his brother met Terry Kath before the band came out here to Southern California.  He said Terry Kath was big in size, at least six feet two inches tall; and some "noticeably large feet."  Andy's over there looking at me.

          Dais heard Mr. Steve dreamt he saw someone shoot himself.  Miss Sandy's mom, a Nurse; knew about what they call "Rapid Eye Movement," or just "R.E.M." for short.  It's a period of  "deepest" sleep when, even though they're closed;  your eyes move back and forth in dreams.                             

                                                                            R.E.M.  

                 

             One time Dais and Millie saw a tv show about a band from the State of "Georgia" called R.E.M., some of whose songs our boss has tried to play along to I guess.  In this second book I'll be finding out about Georgia, especially during the time of the Civil War.  Heathcliff crowed. 

             I'm tempted to learn about Georgia in the American Civil War now but, I'll  better just wait and do it in the next chapter.  In 1972 Mr. Steve went on his dad's business trip to Atlanta. Mr. Mark has an old girlfriend and a daughter living in "Atlanta" from what Daisy heard.  

            Hey God!  As You know, R.E.M. have a song Daisy liked; even though it's about "Losing" religion.  I guess it has one of those mandolins like STEELEYE SPAN use in some of their songs too.  Samson and Delilah are flying bye and moving together toward the eastern horizon. 

     

ROD STEWART (1970'S)

    

          Someday, mainly because of my name of course; I really want to hear the 1970's song Dais told me about called "Maggie May."  It's sung by Rod Stewart when he was in a band called the  FACES.  It also has some mandolin in it, which our boss told Mr. Dave is his favorite part.            

          Daisy says Rod Stewart, who our boss was told began as one of those street "Buskers" like Mr. Eddie over in Phelan; probably wrote Maggie May about a girl he liked.  Rod is short for the name "Roderick," which is Mr. Steve's brother Rock's real first name too.  I smell Sage.               

      From what Daisy heard our boss and Mr. Dave talk about, the FACES' Guitarist Ronnie Wood; is now in the ROLLING STONES.  Mr. Dave really likes his "Slide" guitar playing on a FACES' song called "Stay With Me."  Mr. Steve likes that guitar part too Dais told me.                             

     LINDISFARNE                                 VIKING RAID (793 A.D.)

                                                                                        PAINTING BY TOM LOVELL

      

                   Mr. Steve read the guy who played mandolin on that Rod Stewart song Maggie May was in a band called LINDISFARNE.  They got their name from the 793 A.D. "Viking Raid" on that Monastery.   Dais heard LINDISFARNE play "Folk Rock" like STEELEYE SPAN.

             A painting of the 793 Lindisfarne Viking raid shows a Viking about to kill a Monk who's holding up a cross for protection.  I noticed another guy defending the Monastery trying to stab the Viking with one of those pitchforks like the one Mr. Steve has.  I smell some Creosote.

            Hey Lord!  I guess those Vikings burned down the Monastery, killed or took survivors as Slaves; and stole anything valuable from LINDISFARNE.  What they really wanted was all the things made of precious metals like gold or silver.  Daisy says our boss has a Viking axe.  

                               

                                                                                                           RUSH     

                    

              Mr. Steve seemed impressed when a man on this tv show said the four guys in R.E.M. "shared royalties equally," which I guess that Canadian band RUSH do too.  Mr. Steve thinks it shows they're not greedy and is one reason they "all got along."  A Train whistled faintly.   

             If I were ever in a band I'd want to share everything equally too, because then everyone would be happier and work hard.  Mr. Dave read about some famous bands who were greedy so didn't last a long time the way RUSH and R.E.M. do.  Andy's over there sniffing the air.  

                A customer near San Diego once told our boss about a pretty girl Singer named Jewel.  I'm not really scheduled to write about her until tomorrow when I talk about that 1970's Singer Joni Mitchell; but I can mention her now too.  Daisy thinks Jewel sounds like a smart person. 

                                      

                                                                         JEWEL     

        

               Mr. Steve was told by that customer in Escondido Jewel grew up in "Alaska."  But she was "discovered" and "made it" when living homeless near San Diego.  That Parts Manager  said she was "smart" in negotiating the "Recording Contract" she eventually agreed to.   

            Our boss found out that girl Jewel was born on May the 23rd and, according to my list of dates; that's also Mr. Steve's brother Sam's birthday too.  Wow!  I guess for a time she was one of those "Busking" street Musicians like Mr. Eddie in Phelan.  Frida and Diego flew bye.  

            Daisy heard Jewel's family, before going to Alaska; were Mormons in Utah.  Daisy says our boss was impressed when he heard Jewel turned down a "Million" dollars, knowing it was just one of those "Loans;" or "Advance Against Future Earnings."   Dawn's now barking. 

            

                             WILLIE NELSON                                               BRIAN MAY

           

                Yesterday I mentioned how QUEEN'S Guitarist Brian May thinks of the guitar he and his father built as female, while Willie Nelson considers his old guitar "Trigger" to be male.  It's named after Roy Rogers smart Horse with the same name.  I can smell Libby over there.  

                Oh!  A Robin is singing, which makes me think of how that girl Jewel named her acoustic guitar "Bird;" because it reminded her of the Song Birds she used to hear as a kid up in Alaska.  Max the Hummingbird just whizzed past and I heard him coming from near Libby's Corral.

            Mr. Steve has only heard Jewel a few times, but senses she writes "Philosophical" lyrics like Joni Mitchell.  He noticed she has a unique way of playing guitar so wants to hear more of her.  Based on tv interviews she seems like a "basically decent person" he told Mr. Randy.   

  n      

                                                                         FOCUS    

        

               Daisy thinks, because I like flute; I'd really like that 1970's song "Hokus Pokus" by the Dutch band FOCUS.  Besides flute it has amazing "Yodeling" singing in it too, in one part the Singer even whistles.  All the while the Singer, who makes funny faces; plays the organ. 

                 FOCUS' Singer is so "versatile" and "totally unique" in how his voice sounds according to Dais.  That customer in Escondito told our boss Jewel can yodel really good too.  Ah!  A slight cool morning breeze just came floating in from out in the eastern desert behind the Sheds.

           Our boss told Mr. Dave FOCUS have a really good right-handed Drummer who uses the "traditional grip" for his left hand.  A little Garter Snake just crawled through the thinner left vertical slot on the side of the gate to go out into the back desert.  Dawn's barking over there.

                                      

2014 FORD "FOCUS"    

          

                   One time Daisy heard our boss talking to a "Ford" customer. The Parts Manager was a young twenty one year old kid in his first "real" job.  He wanted to order Baseball caps with all the "Individual" vehicle logos on them, and one was "Focus."  I love the sound of chimes.

            Usually, especially in a bad economy; it's easier to sell "non-specific" things.  Mr. Steve told that kid it was better to just put "generic" logos with the word "Trucks" below the oval, or simply "F-Series" instead of all the different F-Series vehicles.  Two of the Pigeons flew bye.   

           Dais says one time our boss found out another Ford customer had kids who liked to color, so "Faxed" him some of the line drawings he's done.  Most were cartoons or sports logos of their favorite teams, but one was the Focus; because of the good lettering.  Heathcliff just crowed.  

                           

FRED, ED, TED      

           

                Oh!  Fred, Ed and Ted the Sparrows are sitting on that same Mulberry tree branch they seem to like.  Dais says our boss doesn't know if they're boys or girls, so jokes if they're girls we could just call them "Molly," "Polly" and "Dolly."  The chimes up there stopped ringing.

               Later I'll  write about a Singer named Dolly Parton.  Dais says she sang a song with Jewel one time and our boss and his dad like her "strong personality."  Hey God!  From what Daisy heard, Dolly Parton really believes in You; just like we do down here in Piñon Hills too. 

          Mr. Steve thinks Jewel had "Common Sense" in turning down the "Advance."  And Dolly Parton was smart in refusing "Publishing" rights to Elvis Presley, when he wanted to "Cover" a  song she wrote.  Fred, Ed, and Ted just took off and are now flying out into the back desert.   

  

                         DOLLY PARTON                                       HUELL HOWSER (1945-2013)

     

                   All of a sudden I just thought about that guy Huell Howser.  Yesterday I wrote about how he, like Dolly Parton; was born in the State of "Tennessee."  But as I mentioned yesterday, his tv show deals with interesting places in "California;" which our boss's parents really enjoy a lot. 

           Dais says our boss was told Huell Howser's first name is a combination of his parents two first names "Harold" and "Jewell."  When Mr. Steve talked to him on the phone those times he was friendly.  As I mentioned yesterday, he complimented Mr. Steve and his mom's artwork.

           I guess a tv show about Dolly Parton said she and her eleven brothers and sisters grew up poor.  So, now that she has money; she give books away to kids who can't afford them.  Mr. Steve also does that too, and gives "Socks" to homeless people like Mr. Mark over there in Phelan.  

   

                                                  GRANDPA / GRANDMA TRUJILLO 

      

                 Daisy heard Dolly Parton say "God only Knows," like Grandma Trujillo and that Singer Patti Page used to do.  Hey God!  Dolly Parton, just like Mr. Steve's mom; "Hopes" to see You in people.  Daisy and I would sure like to know our own future's but, we also trust in You too. 

                 I just thought about the different "Art Exhibits" Mr. Steve and his mom had in the early 1990's.  As I wrote in my first book, the artwork had to do with the "Alta" California Missions; which were established back in the 18th century.  Blackbeard and Anne Bonny flew bye. 

            Boy!  It's pretty good how, for a full year; Mr. Steve and his mom's art was "Shown" at the  "Natural History" Museum downtown.  Huell Howser saw it and wanted our boss and his mom to give him a tour of the San Fernando Mission for his tv show.  Daffy's quacking.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           

                                  "CONVENTO"         SAN FERNANDO MISSION          EAST GARDEN

                                    DRAWING BY  STELLA CÓRDOVA                                                                                                              PHOTO BY STEVE CÓRDOVA

                  

                   As I wrote in my first book, Mr. Steve's photography and his mother's artwork on the Missions was also "Exhibited" in other places too.  It's too bad Mr. Steve and his mom never got to give Huell Howser that Mission tour.  And now it's too late because he died last year.

                  Daisy says, in the early 1990's when our boss and his mom had the "Art Shows;" that man George Bush Sr. was President.  In 1991, when Mr. Steve was still with Miss Harriet; the "Desert Storm" war against Saddam Hussein's Iraq was fought.  A Train whistled faintly.

              Mr. Steve admires how Dolly Parton would not "give away" the Publishing Rights for that song she wrote and Elvis wanted to sing.  After a year of their artwork being shown down there at the Natural History Museum they wanted to make it "Permanent."  I smell Sage. 

                

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

PHOTO BY ARMANDO AGUIRRE                                                                                                                                                                                                    

         

             Mr. Steve and his mom were both "Flattered" when the Natural History Museum wanted to make their art a permanent exhibit down there.  The problem was, they would have to give all of that artwork to them.  Speedy Gonzalez just now whizzed bye right in front of the Sheds.

             Dais is so right!  If our boss and his mom had gone ahead and just let the Natural History Museum keep the artwork, we wouldn't have so much of it to look at in our house.  Speedy right now zoomed out into the back desert through the right vertical slot on the side of the gate. 

            Seeing the dust Speedy stirred up floating into the air suddenly reminds me of other times when he used the vertical slots on the side of the gate to run into the desert.  Oh wow!  And now I hear Heathcliff over there crowing too.  That gives me one of those feelings of "Déjà Vu."

  

                                                                 "CHAPEL BELLS"

PAINTING BY STELLA CÓRDOVA

  

              So far I've only been able to see some of Mr. Steve and his mom's art, but someday I'll see the other things in parts of the house where I've always been afraid to go.  Also, I can see the good web site Mr. Grant built with all of their artwork on it.  Boy!  I can't wait for that day!    

             When we go in the living room on Saturday mornings to watch cartoons I see Mr. Steve's mom's big painting of the S.F. Mission bells above the couch.  I also get to see that tall painting she did of Saint Ferdinand III, where she put in Mr. Steve's face on it.  Libby whinnied.

            One time Daisy and Millie heard our boss talking with his mom, and they remembered the exhibit at the Natural History Museum.  Dais has told me about the two really big paintings done by our boss's mom which are in his bedroom.  I like Libby's voice, which makes me feel good.

                 

                                         "PAGE " MUSEUM ("LA BREA TAR PITS")

                     

               Dais says our boss told Mr. Grant the Natural History Museum is "associated" with that "Page Museum" I wrote about yesterday in book one.  The Page Museum is in "Hancock Park," where the "La Brea Tar Pits" are.  Mr. Steve and Miss Harriet went to the Page Museum. 

           The Page Museum is where they show Animal bones dug up from the time of the last Ice Age.  Mr. Steve as a kid went there on Field Trips, he and his mom have been there;  and he and Miss Harriet visited it too.  Boy!  I'd sure like to go to that Museum and see all those bones.

               A girl at the Natural History Museum told Mr. Steve and his mom it's the biggest museum "of its kind" out here on the west coast.  It has things having to do with millions and millions of "Plant and Animal" history.  But it also shows artwork like Mr. Steve and his mom's too.    

                                      

                                  WILLIAM S. HART (1864-1946) WITH HORSE "FRITZ"

   

             Tomorrow in my third book I'll write about the "William S. Hart" Museum in the town of "Newhall," where Mr. Rick built a house for Linda and his three kids.  Daisy says that Museum is associated with the Natural History Museum and has "Cowboy" things.  Dawn's barking.   

             I'm tempted to write about this Actor named William S. Hart now.  Daisy says, like Roy Rogers; he had a really smart boy Horse named "Fritz," and he even wrote this book about the "Stunts" he and his boss did together in some of those old "Silent" movies.  I like Dawn.    

        Daisy told me our boss and the girl at the Natural History Museum had a discussion about pandemics.  I've mentioned a few times how Mr. Steve, in College at C.S.U.N; did a "Research" Project on the 14th century "Black Death."  That's when "possibly" half of Europe died.    

                                                   THE "BLACK DEATH" (1347-1351)

   

         Daisy says our boss and Mr. Phillip have talked about the pandemic Mr. Steve thinks is going to happen someday.  He told that one kid Jason who plays guitar he thought of it one time when he heard R.E.M.'s song about the world ending "as we know it."  I smell some Juniper.       

           When Daisy and Millie listened to our boss play drums along to Jason's guitar, Dais heard them talk about Guitarists Mr. Steve's seen.  Our boss played vinyl records, cassettes and  C.D.'s of some of those Guitarists.  A long line of Ants are going bye down there on the Patio floor.         

          Tomorrow I'll learn about Eric Clapton, Jeff Beck, Jimmy Page; and Stevie Ray Vaughn.  Mr. Steve saw Eddie Van Halen, QUEEN'S Brian May; and Billy Zoom of X play.  Oh!  And, in    the late 1970's; he and Sandy saw that guy Randy Rhodes play in QUIET RIOT a few times.                

                                                             RORY GALLAGHER

          

             I just thought of when, in the mid-1970's; Mr. Steve and Sandy saw that Irish Guitarist Rory Gallagher play a good concert at the Whisky a Go Go in Hollywood.  They went with their friends Chris, David and Dale.  As I wrote back in my first book, Mr. Dale still plays guitar.

            Mr. Dale grew up in Sylmar, but now lives up in Northern California; near the border going into the State of Oregon.  In the early 1970's he also went to Sylmar High at the same time as when Mr. Steve and Sandy were there too.  Donald and Daisy are quacking right now.

           One time our boss told Mr. Dave how Rory Gallagher played an old "beat up" Fender "Stratocaster," whose body paint was "worn off" or "eroded from years of use."  You could tell how much Rory Gallagher had played it.   Boy!  I wonder if that guitar was a boy or a girl?  

  

                      (YEAR BOOK)                         DALE TEWES                                (SYLMAR HIGH) 

    

             Mr. Steve played a "Live" Rory Gallagher album for that kid Jason.  Daisy noticed how, before Rory Gallagher started playing electric guitar in that concert; he first sang and played the mandolin on a song about going back to his Irish hometown.  Ah!  The air is so clear now. 

            I just glanced up to see this Lizard standing on the wall near the sliding glass door going into the dining room next to the kitchen.  Oh!  It was doing Lizard pushups, but now ran down the wall; and then out into the dirt near this Patio.  I feel so comfortable here on Elvira. 

            All of a sudden the sound of JETHRO TULL'S song "The Third Hoorah" just came into my thoughts.  It has such good flute playing in it and that's why, even though I haven't heard a lot of songs; it's one of my favorite ones so far.  I also rally like the bagpipes in that song too.

                          

"A PASSION PLAY"   

                  

           In 1973, when Mr. Steve and that girl Angela saw the JETHRO TULL at the Forum; it seemed like JETHRO TULL was influenced by the "Middle Ages."  And so was the other band      STEELYE SPAN  who opened up for them that night.  I wrote about it in my first book.             

             Daisy says our boss told his mom Angela was intelligent and knew a lot about European "Medieval" and "Renaissance" history.  Mr. Steve took this other smart girl named Susan to the "Renaissance Fair" where people wear costumes.  I'd dress up like a Middle Ages Dog.    

            Ah!  I'm still hearing that song The Third Hoorah!   The flute makes me feel happy and want to dance right now.  I can't wait to someday see a real bagpipe being played because of how Daisy described it.  Boy!  I so want to dance but I'd better not because I have work to do.

                    

                                        JETHRO TULL                                                 

                                

            Oh well, maybe Goin Up the Country hasn't replaced The Third Hoorah as my favorite song which makes me want to dance.  In the mid-1980's, when he and Mr. Mark worked for the Forum; Mr. Steve told Miss Helen about that JETHRO TULL concert.   Heathcliff crowed.

            Wow!  I'm hearing STEELEYE SPAN'S song "Jigs, which is making me want to dance. Our boss thinks, and so did that girl Angela too; in 1973 STEELEYE SPAN was the "perfect" "Opening Act" for JETHRO TULL.  I think Daisy, more and more; likes Mandolin.

            As I wrote yesterday, Mr. Steve jokingly calls my dancing an "Irish Jig."  I can't wait to someday hear more songs by JETHRO TULL, and STEELEYE SPAN too but; first I'll have to overcome my fear of being trapped inside a house.  Boy!  I so feel like dancing right now.

                 

                                                                 STEELEYE SPAN

          

             Daisy heard our boss tell Mr. Ralph how STEELEYE  SPAN play electric "Folk-Rock" like that other band LINDISFARNE.  Jack the Jackrabbit just used the right vertical slot on the side of the back gate to zoom out into the back field.  He's now disappeared into the desert.

             You can tell our boss, and Mr. Phillip; think STEELEY SPAN'S girl Singer who plays "Spoons" on Jigs is talented.  And, they like looking at her too Dais jokes.  STEELEYE SPAN'S "Gaudette" is one of those "A Capella" songs with only singing and no musical instruments.  

             In 1973 Mr. Steve was a 12th Grade "Senior" at Sylmar High, and that girl Angela was in 10th Grade.  Daisy heard our boss tell Mr. Ralph Angela had a good vinyl Record Collection.  All four of the Pigeons are flying over Libby's Corral, and moving toward the northwest. 

                                      1968 CHEVELLE                                          "SUPER SPORT" VERSION   

                      

                 In 1973 Mr. Steve and Angela went to the JETHRO TULL concert in his first dark green 1968 Chevelle, which his dad bought for him from Mr. Rick.  Later he had that royal blue "S.S." version.  Mr. Bob in Missouri, who went to school with Frank Zappa, had a 1966 Chevelle.

                That girl Angela knew Mr. Steve was one of the few kids at Sylmar High School who had a Car, so that's one reason she asked him to take her to the JETHRO TULL concert.  I guess she also liked listening to cassette tapes on the Car Stereo.  They played the "Aqualung" album.

               Daisy told me  STEELEYE SPAN have another Jigs song with a mandolin which I would really like.  She and Millie one time saw this good tv show about a "Bluegrass" Musician named Ricky Skaggs.  Besides just guitars; he's also good when playing one of those mandolins too.  

    

                                                                    RICKY SKAGGS

                The tv show said Ricky Skaggs is from the State of "Kentucky."  Dais thinks if I were to hear more songs with mandolin, I might change my mind about flute being my favorite musical instrument.  Ricky Skaggs also plays the banjo and a fiddle on some of his songs I guess.

            Hey God!  The man on that tv show talked about Dolly Parton believing in You.  Ricky Skaggs said, "The spirit of God lives within me."  At times God, Dais and I have wondered if the grass is really blue in Kentucky.  I know for sure Daisy, and me too; would like to smell it.    

                According to what it said on that tv show, Ricky Skaggs started playing music at the age of only seven years old.  Daisy heard our boss tell his mom Bluegrass music makes him feel good and "alive."  Miss Sandy's parents went with them to some "Outdoor" Bluegrass concerts.

    

THE WHITE STRIPES

   

              The tv show on Bluegrass music said, back in the 1990's; Ricky Skaggs made an album with that guy Jack White.   Yesterday I wrote about how he and his Drummer wife used to have a band called the WHITE STRIPES.  Blackbeard and Anne Bonny are flying bye up there.

              I just thought about how Jack White, who's originally from the city of "Detroit;" was born on July the 9th like Mr. Steve.  I've mentioned that our boss, and his Niece Samantha; like the WHITE STRIPES' song "Seven Nation Army."  Andy's looking at me over here on Elvira.

                Dais told me the tv show said Ricky Skaggs, besides making his own music; also helps and advises other people in "Producing" albums.   One time he did that for Dolly Parton Daisy says.  Boy!  It seems like a lot of good Musicians came from the southern part of the country. 

                  

  B-52'S       

        

           Dais and Millie saw another tv show about that band from Georgia called the B-52'S, who have a song about a Lobster our boss plays drums to.  I guess the B-52'S also have another song about a Planet called "Claire."  Like R.E.M., the B-52'S are from a city called "Athens."

           Yesterday I wrote a little bit about the ancient Greek "City-State" of  Athens, and some of the people who lived there; like Socrates and Plato for example.  And, I'll learn more about that old city today; and also tomorrow in my third book.  Heathcliff just now crowed over there.

           The tv show said the B-52's are not named after the American Bomber, but for a 1950's girl's "Hairstyle" the two girls in the band wear.  Daisy told me it means the hair is puffed out a lot more than usual.  She jokes I might look pretty good if I had a royal blue wig in that style. 

                   

                                 JOHN LENNON / YOKO ONO  WITH CHILDREN    

             

              Daisy says John Lennon of the BEATLES was shot in 1980 by a crazy fan outside of he and his wife Yoko Ono's Apartment in New York City.  A picture shows them walking with their kids in the 1970's.  One of the girls in the B-52'S sings in the style of Yoko Ono Dais heard.

              I guess some people made fun of Yoko Ono's "Warbling" singing, but the girl from the B-52'S liked it.  Mr. Steve chuckled when the tv show said the B-52's listened to that guy Captain Beefheart who, with Frank Zappa; grew up in the Antelope Valley.  I smell some Mesquite.    

             The B-52's are like that one 1960's L. A. band the DOORS, who also don't have a bass player.  At the "Starwood" after a SLADE concert Mr. Steve and Sandy met the DOORS Ray Manzarek as his band "Rehearsed."  He was friendly and gave Sandy a broken tambourine.  

      

                             THE DOORS                                                      JIM MORRISON

        

           Tomorrow I'll find out about that "27 Club," or Musicians who died at the young age of only twenty seven.  One of them was the DOORS Singer Jim Morrison.  Andy's sniffing the air    over there, which reminds me to also always be alert; even if it's unlikely we'll be attacked.          

          Last night, even though it was a little cold; Daisy stayed out here with me.  That kind of surprised our boss.  A little Lizard is standing on one of the big boulders around the bottom of      the Mulberry tree.  But it's too late because all the water has been absorbed into the ground.        

         Mr. Steve ate one of those Chinese fortune cookies last night, and the advise inside said, "Now is the time to enjoy trying something new."  Hey God!  Daisy thinks You might have been  sending me a message through that cookie.  We should invent Dog food fortune cookies!                               

  MORNING SKY        

              

            Seeing the Sun hanging up there in the morning sky for some reason makes me think of that one skinny man who pushes a wheelbarrow up and down the road in front of our property. Daisy and I are both familiar with his scent so know he's not a threat.  I'm glad it's Spring.  

            Even though we know the skinny man is harmless we still have a duty to let him know not to come on our two acres.  Dawn, Blinky and Rosie also do their obligatory barks too.  Actually, it's just kind of fun running back and forth along the long front fence protecting our land.

            My Spanish Dictionary says "flaco" means "skinny."  Running back and forth up near the front fence also makes me feel a part of a team, which I never would have thought of when I was homeless and living out in that field.  I like when Mr. Steve jokingly calls me "Flaco."   

   THEODORA 

             I just noticed Theodora over there in her favorite Creosote bush near Jack the big Shed.  Miss Susan said Creosote bushes can live here in the desert for many years.  I'm still thinking of our breakfast this morning, and how as usual I finished by food way before Daisy did.

                 For a long time I ate too fast but now I'm starting to get in the habit of eating slowly the way Daisy always does.  I don't have to worry about someone stealing all my food she says, and eating is one of the "highlights" of our day so we should "appreciate it."  Dawn's barking.  

           All it took was for Daisy to growl at me a few times when I glanced at her food bowl to make me not do that. When she snarls like that she seems mean but she's not.  I see our steel water bucket over there to my right, near the sliding glass door going into the dining room.  

                               

       JACK        

            Aha!  I knew I was smelling Jack the Jackrabbit and he's standing in the field behind the Sheds.  Daisy was so proud of me for not chasing Jack, Speedy or Rudy yesterday because it just  proves that I can have good discipline.  Boy!  Jackrabbit's have such powerful back legs.  

            Looking to my left toward the far northern end of the Patio I see my collection of things to chew on.  I was so tempted last night to chew on my new green rubber ball, but Dais told me to keep it as an "incentive" or "reward" for finishing my books.  A Train whistled faintly.  

           Daisy made me feel good last night when she said it was an amazing accomplishment to be able to write twelve chapters in twelve hours.  She said, because our boss doesn't think "Instant Gratification" is good; he'll really appreciate the scale of what I've done.  I smell Mesquite.  

                       

MAGGIE /  DAISY CÓRDOVA    

                                                                     

                  I want to take go up front to smell and lick Daisy's face, to find out what she's been doing so far this morning; but I'd better just wait until after chapter four.  She's my leader and I need her advice and help.  She's still number one in the "Pecking Order" and I like it that way.  

                 Oh!  I'm hearing The Third Hoorah again, and it really makes me feel like singing right now.  I've mentioned before how sometimes me and Dawn next door like to howl.  Boy!  I think The Third Hoorah is starting to become my favorite song which makes me feel "Rhêma."

           Now, all of sudden; I'm thinking about the "Cadence" style singing on a part of DEVO'S song "Blockhead."  I really love DEVO!  I can't wait to someday see a lot more tv, and one of the things I'm looking forward to is seeing the DEVO concert when they acted just like robots. 

         

"SANTA FE" RAILROAD                                               FREIGHT TRAIN            

                        

             A Freight Train just whistled faintly over there to my left, which reminds me about the trips Mr. Steve's family took to and from New Mexico in the late 1960's and early 1970's.  He's had dreams about about things he saw as they went across the State of "Arizona" he says.

            It's so impressive how Grandpa Trujillo, from 1928 to 1975; worked for the "Santa Fe" Railroad Company.  And, for fear of losing his job; he never missed a single day even though he  sometimes was sick or injured.  Samson and Delilah are now flying over Libby's Corral.    

            When in Belén Mr. Steve's family stayed with both sets of Grandparents, but sometimes with their Aunts and Uncles.  Our boss has fond memories of Uncle Gill and Aunt Nelly's house, and also Uncle Casey and his wife Ruth.  Aunt Lydia and Uncle Fenny were really nice. 

                                 

                                    "ADOBE"  ("SAN FERNANDO" MISSION)    

PHOTO BY STEVE CÓRDOVA                   

            

             In Belén, even in the mid-1970's; some houses were made out of those "Adobe" bricks I mentioned yesterday.  The San Fernando Mission, where Mr. Steve and his parents were Tour Guides; had buildings built with adobe bricks covered in white plaster.  A Train whistled.

            Daisy says our boss has fond memories of New Mexico when he visited his relatives.  A while back he had this dream about helping his Grandpa Trujillo in his garden, where he grew tomatoes and things like that.  Benjamin the Cow Bird ran bye with Andy watching him.

            On the other side, or "en otro lado" in Spanish; of Grandpa Trujillo's garden lived his sister "Martina" and her husband "James."  Aunt Martina was Grandpa Trujillo's sister, and Uncle James was Grandma Trujillo's brother.  All survived the1930's "Great Depression." 

          

                                               GRANDPA / GRANDMA TRUJILLO

                 

            My Spanish Dictionary says "Tia" means Aunt and "Tio" is Uncle.  One time Dais heard our boss tell Mr. Randy how Aunt Martina and Uncle James used to have this black three-legged Dog.  Mr. Steve was always totally amazed at how that Dog "got around" on three legs.

             I guess that Dog was missing his left rear leg, but could run and keep up with the other Dogs.  After hearing about Aunt Martina and Uncle James Dog, I had a dream where I had only three legs too.  I asked Dais to "Interpret" the dream because she knows about such things.

            In that dream I was so scared I wouldn't be able to adapt to living with three legs.  Daisy thinks my dream might mean how I'm worried about our boss getting rid of me if I don't "Keep Up" as they say.  A slight breeze just blew in from out in the desert behind the Sheds.    

                            

"HOLY SPIRIT"    

                                             

              Wow!  The green chimes hanging from the Patio roof are ringing just as I'm looking up the word "Portend;" which is defined as being "an omen."  Hey God!  As You know already, I was thinking of naming this second book "Laudato Si," or Latin for "Praise Be To You."   

             Dais always says we're two very lucky Dogs, so that's the main reason I decided to name this second book "Be Grateful."  As I said yesterday a few times, Mr. Steve says there's "no such thing" as a perfect life.  I hear Dawn barking, and smell little Blinky standing next to her.

             Last night I had that dream where Mr. Steve proudly hugged me for being smart.  I kind of "half expected" for my bad Angel Lilith to show up and ruin it but she didn't.  Hey Stanley!  I need to thank you for always watching over me and being such a good Guardian Angel.     

             

CALIFORNIA "HIGH" DESERT     

                               

              Hey God!  Looking at the eastern desert behind the Sheds makes me think about how Mr. Steve's favorite time of day is when the Sun first comes up.  And now Daisy and myself love that time a lot too.  The scent of some Joshua trees around here just came into my nose. 

             Dais says our minds are clearer in the morning.  Life coming back after the darkness of night almost seems like a miracle at times.  No wonder many ancient cultures, like the Mayans and Egyptians for example; saw so much significance in the Sun's returning with life.    

            Last night Daisy and I went over everything I did in book one, which totally amazed her in how long that first book is.  When we did go to sleep that Mockingbird kept chirping.  Daisy thinks boy Mockingbirds chirp, even at night; to impress the girl Mockingbirds somehow. 

                   

"JOSHUA" TREES

("SAN GABRIEL" MOUNTAINS BEHIND)

                           

            Looking to my right I see the San Gabriel  mountains beyond Libby's Corral.  Last night that skinny man pushing his wheelbarrow showed up at a perfect time, as I had finished book one and was hungry; because we hadn't had any snacks all day long.  I smell Joshua trees.

            I'll bet Dais is up there near our boss's office window so can see if he gets up from desk to come outside.  Mr. Steve worked up there near the front fence for half an hour this morning, and then went back in the house.  It's Friday so he'll call some of his Auto Dealership customers.  

           Even though it's only the second day of Spring it got kind of cold last night.  Dais told me about a phrase our boss's mom likes, "April showers bring May flowers;" which makes me see how she likes sayings that rhyme.  I might try to write a good poem that rhymes someday.  

                              

     PIGPEN             

                                      

           Aha!  I knew I smelled Pigpen, who's looking at me from his hole near the Mulberry tree. He's sniffing the air and better be careful, even though Goliath and Cher aren't around right to try to kill him.  Daisy and I both have at times wondered what Gopher meat would taste like.

          "From here on in" as they say, the snow will start to melt and fill up the local creeks up on the San Gabriel Mountains to our southeast; near Wrightwood.  I've mentioned how, sometimes; the winds are really strong in Piñon Hills.  Pigpen just retreated back down into his hole.  

           Oh!  Seeing Pigpen reminds me of how I keep on forgetting to talk about this thing called a "Wombat" when I write about Australia.  Daisy told me a good tv show called it the world's largest "burrowing animal."  This one Encyclopedia says some grow to be seventy pounds.   

   

WOMBAT

          Wow!  A picture shows a girl holding a Wombat and they're big alright.  Another photo is of a girl Wombat with her cute little baby.  It says here, there three "types" of Wombat; who've  "adapted" to living down there in Australia.  I guess Mark Ritter knew about Wombats.               

          Dais says Wombats look like big "Hamsters," which our boss's family had a few of.  Their name comes from the language of a Native Australian people called the "Darug, " and like those  Kangaroo's, carry babies in a pouch, but on their backs so dirt won't get in.  I smell Sage.            

      Oh!  It says here what the tv show talked about.  Wombats have "evolved" a "protective shield" on their rear ends which are used to block the burrow entrance from things trying to kill and then eat it for food.  I see Libby walking around very slowly over there in her Corral.                   

BADGER /COYOTE COOPERATION

  

                  The tv show said when Europeans first saw Wombats they thought they might be a form of  "Badger."  I mentioned yesterday how, in order to survive; sometimes Badgers and Coyotes will cooperate and work together in hunting.  I see Andy over there guarding their burrow. 

              Daisy told me wild packs of Australian Dogs called "Dingo's eat Wombats.  But, if the circumstances are just right; the Wombat can use it's rear shield to break the facial bones of the Dingo's.  Like Badger's; they have powerful legs with sharp claws for digging or fighting.    

             Boy!  Dais is right to say, even though it turned out to be harder than we thought; I'm so lucky to have this writing project.  Mr. Steve will hopefully like what I've done.  This is turning out to be such a good start and, hopefully; will again end up being another productive day. 

          

VIEW FROM OFFICE WINDOW

                      

            I wonder what Mr. Steve is doing?  He's probably working and watching the Birds eat the Bird seed from his office window.  In Winter he uses that big, wide steel shovel to clear snow and make an area big enough to spread some Bird seed, Chicken scratch and Rabbit pellets.

            Because this is our boss's New Year, now it's Daisy and I 's too and we're both looking forward to the warmer and warmer weather.  It was "Chilly" last night but the sky was so clear to look at Stars.  A little Sparrow just hopped bye and it's carrying a long twig in its mouth. 

            The scent of Bonnie and Clyde's babies up there just floated down here to me sitting on Elvira.  I, like Daisy; want to believe this is going to be a good year just from the fact that so many things are having babies earlier than usual this year.  Ah!  I love to smell fresh air.    

                 

   CALIFORNIA "HIGH" DESERT 

                                           

            Pretty soon, on some mornings or evenings; Mr. Steve will walk out there in the eastern desert behind the Sheds.  He likes walking on Primavera Road, to see if there are any Coyote or Mountain Lion tracks; which there usually aren't.  A line of Ants is marching along below me. 

            It's amazing all the things I've leaned so far in these first two books.  I'm now beginning to understand why Sister Rita Joseph said, "If you're not learning, you're not fully living;" and "might even be mentally dying."  Daisy and I now really want to believe in what she said.

            Cartoons are educational in showing you how the world works.  I kind of hope we go in the living room on Saturday morning, and if we do then I'll postpone writing my third book until Sunday.   Daisy told me about this really good cartoon that Millie liked called "Peanuts."  

               

             "PEANUTS"               

                                          

                   Someday I'll see that cartoon Peanuts.  Dais says a boy "Beagle" Dog named "Snoopy," who is owned by a bald-headed kid named "Charlie Brown;" does a "Happy Dance" just like the way I do my Irish jig dance.   Theodora just used the right gate slot to go into the desert.

            I sure do hope someday they start showing Peanuts on Saturday mornings so I'll be able to see it.  Now Daisy says, they only show it at night on holidays so; I'd have to be able to go into the house at night.  A group of what look from way down here like Sparrows are flying bye.  

           Daisy says that Dog Snoopy can read, write and play piano.  Because I just sort of like the way it sounds, I was going to name my three books "Things I've learned After it was Too Late;" but then Dais told me Snoopy already gave that title to one of his books.  Boy!  Too bad.  

                                             

  "CHARLIE BROWN FARMS" ("LITTLEROCK")    

                                  

            All of a sudden I just thought of that unique store called "Charlie Brown Farms," which is over in "Littlerock; where Mr. Steve's brother Sam and his family live.  It has things in it that aren't anywhere else.  You can even buy a suit of armor, or some Buffalo hamburgers there.         

            Last night Daisy says I showed "focus" yesterday.  For about twelve hours she told me, I was disciplined and finished my difficult task; and I'll do it again today too!  Daisy says our boss is going to be so proud of me when he finds out exactly what I've accomplished back here.     

            Boy God!  We're so lucky to have a home.  Last night, in looking up into the clear night sky Dais again told me about those places called "Shelters;" which are just jails for any homeless Dogs she thinks.  But, even though you're inside a cage; at least you get some food and water.     

                                         

    ANIMAL "SHELTER"          

             PHOTO BY DAVID PORRAS                              

                            

              How terrible it must be Daisy says, to die in a cold shelter; especially if you've been loved in the way both of us are now loved.  I can't even imagine how bad it would be to not have these two acres to guard.  Two of the Pigeons are flying in from being out there in the back desert.

             The Pigeons landed up on the Patio roof above me, and are now walking around; but I can't yet see their shadows like I will this afternoon.  I just noticed one of those long white vapor trails way up there in the high blue sky.  Donald and Daisy are both quacking over there.  

             Boy!  Daisy and I are so lucky to have this two acres to watch over, even though at this point Dais says our boss is not likely to get rid of us even if we did a bad job.  And she says, when he reads my three long books; then he'll really like me.  And he'll like her for helping me.

                              

                                                                     DORIS DAY   

          

              I'm not scheduled to write about a lady named Doris Day until tomorrow, but feel like mentioning her now too.  She was an Actress and after she retired started rescuing Animals like Daisy and I who no one wanted.  The Pigeons are flying back out into the eastern desert.

           I guess, at one time Doris Day had a place in "Chatsworth," which I mentioned yesterday is in the San Fernando Valley; kind of near Sylmar.  As a kid Mr. Steve and some of his friends used to call and talk to Doris Day who was very friendly.   I can smell some new Mesquite. 

           I'll come back to Doris Day tomorrow.  Roy Rogers' family, before they moved up here to "Apple Valley;" lived in Chatsworth too according to Miss Susan.  Bravo Company of Quail, using the two vertical slots on either side of the gate, are streaming out into the back desert.

  

                                                    SECOND "BOER" WAR (1899-1902 

     

           Mentioning those Dog Shelters makes me suddenly think about prisons for people.  When we were putting together my three outlines, Daisy and I decided I'd learn about "Concentration Camps" tomorrow in book tree.   But I can quickly say something about them today too.

           Concentration Camps are now associated with World War II Nazi "Death Camps."  But Daisy saw this tv show that said the first ones were actually created in one of those "Boer" wars I mentioned yesterday in my first book.  Libby just whinnied over there to my right.

           As I wrote in book one, the two Boer Wars down in "South Africa" were fought between England and those Dutch settlers called "Boers."  My Encyclopedia says England was the first one to "confine" civilians in camps.  That guy Winston Churchill fought in those wars.     

                                    

"MONARCH" BUTTERFLY

       

            Oh!  I just glanced up in time to see the Monarch Butterfly fluttering bye.  Daisy also saw it yesterday up there in the front yard and, as I've said; she heard seeing a Butterfly brings good luck.  I now really want to believe that too and yesterday I sure did have good luck alright.

           This morning my jig below Mr. Steve's office window worked perfectly.  It was still dark but he came right outside to clean our eyes, check our stomachs; and then feed us.  As usual, he put one of those miraculous Bufferin pills in Daisy's food; to help her with her arthritis.    

             Hey God!  Looking at the desert behind the Sheds makes me thing of the joke Daisy told me, "Every new day is a gift from God and that's why they call it a present."  At first I didn't get that joke but then Dais explained it to me so now I think it's kind of funny too.  I smell Sage.

                            

"HOLY SPIRIT"   

         

            Ah!  A breeze is ringing the chimes, and in also seeing and smelling things right now Holy Spirit; I just thought of the Chinese concept of "Chi."  As You know, Daisy thinks Chi might just be another way of describing You.  Oh!  The four Pigeons are flying bye going to the north.     

                  Hey Holy Spirit!  My Encyclopedia says Chi means "life force" in Chinese, and that sure does kind of sound like You alright.  Daisy says our boss read, over in China; Chi is "central" in things like medical or mental treatment.  Boy!  I'm so glad we have our Pigeons around here. 

            Mr. Steve read the Chinese even use Chi in deciding where to build their houses and other buildings.  Us Catholics Dais says, sometimes get a Priest to come over and "bless" a house after it's been built.  I guess that man Confucius, who I've mentioned before; talked about Chi.

       

                                                           CONFUCIUS (551-480 B.C.)

           

                 I notice in a painting of that guy Confucius his sideburns and beard are pointy.  Dais has me scheduled to learn about Confucius tomorrow, but I can mention it now too because it will fit in here as well.  Confucius was an ancient Chinese Teacher and Philosopher it says here.  

           This Encyclopedia calls Confucius' teachings "secular morality."  As I said in book one, secular means "not connected to religion;" but I guess some people think of Confucius' "World View" as being based on "Religious Foundations."  Boy!  I really love breathing fresh air.

            That German word "Weltanschauung" means "World View," and was important to some German Philosophers; like Emmanuel Kant.  For people like Hitler, Roosevelt and Stalin; it was really important in how they "Perceived, Interpreted and Interacted" in the real world.