Book 2 Chapter 5

            II        

            (BOOK 2 / CHAPTER 5  / PART 2)             

                 11:30                 

 

CALIFORNIA HIGH DESERT

("SAN GABRIEL" MOUNTAINS IN BACKGROUND)

                       

          I'm back! Daisy was expecting me and couldn't wait to see how everything went.  She says, like chapter three in learning about the American Civil War; this fifth chapter is important too    because if I do good a good job writing about World War II it will be good.  Boy! I can't wait!      

        Ah!  I just got all of my materials back out and can see Libby walking around her Corral, and beyond her to the south are those "San Gabriel" mountains.   Boy!  I just love how the air is right now because I feel so great.  Thank Everyone up there for the way I feel right now!              

         Dais and I went under Mr. Steve's office window and he saw us but seems to be really busy on the phone again today.  It's Friday, which can be good or bad; because some Parts Managers  don't like to be called on that day I guess.  Some don't like talking to Salespeople on Mondays.                                                 DAISY CÓRDOVA                                                 MAGGIE CÓRDOVA                                      

           Daisy gives me encouragement!  When up front I went and stood up on our hill with the Buddhist Monk statue on top of it.  I'll again use pens instead of pencils in this fifth chapter, and Daisy says it's good I'm writing smaller so I don't use as many of the notebooks as yesterday.       

           According to what Dais says, she can tell our boss has been really busy again today, as he has the phone up to his ear all the time.  To stretch our legs we made our rounds all around the    perimeter of the fenced in two acres.  A flock of Birds up in the sky are moving to the east.            

           It looks like, in this fifth chapter I'll find out about some things having to do with the 20th century; such as the life of Adolf Hitler.  I'm getting so good at hiding all my materials back here  by using you blankets Barry, Robin and Maurice, and your cushions Elvira.  I smell Andy.                                                                    

    BENITO MUSSOLINI / ADOLPH HITLER (1940)         

                                   

         That Italian guy Benito Mussolini was the first "Fascist" leader.  This Encyclopedia says he "took" power in Italy in 1922, four years after World War I.  In 1933 Adolph Hitler became the "Führer" of Germany, the same year Franklin Roosevelt was elected President.  I smell Sage.      

       Mr. Steve thinks it's kind of amazing how, a person like Adolph Hitler could go from being what they call a homeless "Drifter" in his country of Austria; to almost conquering the world as "Chancellor" of Germany.  That's why I'll learn a lot about him over these next two days.            

        One night in Mr. Steve's bedroom Daisy and Millie watched a good documentary about that guy Adolph Hitler.   Mr. Steve's father, and friend Mr. Ivan; think Hitler's life was possibly the    "most important" 20th century life as so many subjects are tied to him.  Heathcliff crowed.                              

ADOLPH HITLER'S PARENTS

                    

           Daisy says that tv show on Hitler called him a "momma's boy."  As a kid Mr. Steve was "Mocked" because the first person he always wanted to tell "good news" to was his mom.  We think of You as our mom Blessed Mother, and right now I can smell some Rosemary too.               

          I guess, the tv show described Hitler's father as a "tyrannical taskmaster;" who" often beat" his son like that other German guy Beethoven's dad beat him too.  Daisy told me a word    used to  talk about Hitler's dad was "dictatorial."  I guess he drank too much Daisy says.             

             Hitler's father wanted him to become, like he was; what they call a "Civil Servant" in the "Austro-Hungarian" Government.  But Hitler wanted to be an Artist instead.  So, as a teenager; he went to the big city of "Vienna" but was twice rejected by the "Academy of  Fine Arts."                     

                       ADOLPH HITLER'S PAINTING                         

                 

           One time our boss and his mom talked about Adolph Hitler's art which, in looking at his paintings; I see why our boss's mom complimented it.  Like Mr. Steve, Hitler was pretty good at "copying" but not "spontaneous" drawing and things like that.  I smell Beavertail cactus.            

           The caption below Hitler's two paintings says how he was "denied admission" to the "Art Academy" in Vienna because his "depictions" of the "human form" was weak.  They told him to become an "Architect" instead of an Artist.  Oh! Jack the Jackrabbit just bounded bye.            

            Daisy says our boss told his mom Hitler's mom "lost three children" before he was born, so "doted" on him.  Like Alexander the Great's mother; she made him feel so "special" and told  him he was "destined for greatness."  Until the day he died her picture was on his wall.                        

    F.D.R.'s MOTHER / F.D.R. / WIFE ELEANOR                                                  STALIN'S PARENTS                        

                                      

        Daisy told me how our boss's dad thinks it "ironic" the "big three" of Hitler, Franklin Roosevelt and Joseph Stalin were all "very attached" to their mothers.  Even when President,      F.D.R. did what his mom "ordered" him to do; but "ignored the others advice." I smell Sage.      

          This is sort of interesting!  It says here how Joseph Stalin's father also "beat" him in the same way Hitler's dad did and wow, the picture of Stalin's father shows how much he looked just like his own really violent son.  That German guy Beethoven's father also beat him too.                 

            Mr. Ralph read when Stalin visited his mom after not seeing her for a long time; she asked him "what are you doing now?"  When he told her, "You know the Czar?  I'm like a Czar now;" she sighed and said "You would've been better off becoming a Priest."  I like how Sage smells.                                                

     ADOLPH HITLER        

(AUSTRIA / AGE 10 / MIDDLE OF TOP ROW)   

                                     

          Daisy told me that tv show said Hitler first lived "away from home" when he was sixteen.  He was twenty when he went to Vienna, and was "positive" and "over-confident" his art would    get him easily admitted into the Art Academy.  I can smell a Lizard somewhere around here.        

        I've mentioned how Mr. Steve's dad has also read about Hitler, and the many "Subjects" Hitler is now associated with in regard to the 20th century.  He thinks three "influential" events    happened when Hitler went to Vienna.  I see the Lizard standing on the wall over there.              

        After Hitler was rejected for Art School, his mom died and Art School rejected him again; and he got "depressed" in having to live in "Flop" houses.  I don't know what "flop" means but, have a feeling a Flop House is not a good place to live.  A flock of Birds is going bye up there.                         

FLOCK OF BIRDS                                                    MR. IVAN             

     

          Mr. Ivan read, in Vienna Hitler was poor so had to make money by selling those "Post Cards" I've written about.  His mom had "indulged" him so he could "dream, draw and read"    but now she was gone.  The tv show said anything Hitler painted is worth a lot of money now.      

          After a while Hitler moved to Germany.  Mr. Ivan, whose wife is German; read Hitler's book "Mein Kampf" and Hitler said his time in Vienna "taught him to be hard."  In Austria he saw how "Socialists" operated, and observed that "violence works."  Heathcliff crowed.               

         The tv show said in High School Hitler was influenced by this really "extreme German nationalist" Teacher.  He thought Austria should be part of Germany, and not the "mongrelized" Austria-Hungarian Empire.  That little Lizard on the wall is doing some pushups over there.                                                    

           "NAZI" FLAG               

                            

          One time Dais and Millie heard our boss tell his mom he thinks Adolph Hitler was good at creating "Propaganda" through imagery.  He mentioned this girl he met in College at C.S.U.N.,    who was studying to be a "Graphic Artist; and noticed Hitler's "great ability."  I smell Sage.     

          Mr. Steve told the girl Hitler purposely "adopted" things he knew the German people were "already familiar with."  He chose the colors red, black and white, knowing they were associated with the 19th century "Imperial" period.  Our boss thinks some "Hit" songs use that formula.    

       Hitler did not want to use the red, black and gold colors used by that "Weimar Republic;" the post World War I government in power during the 1920's.  The Imperial German period was "Conservative," the Republic more "Liberal."  Blackbeard and Anne are flying to the east.          

                           

                   19TH CENTURY "HUSSAR"                      SS ("SCHUTZSTAFFEL")                                                     

        Mr. Steve also told that girl in College how Hitler "lifted" the imagery of the "Skull and Bones" now so "infamous."  He knew it had been on the hats of some of the German Soldiers in  the late 1800's, and put it right on the front of all the SS's black hats.  I can smell Libby.               

           I guess, our boss used to have one of those scary black SS hats but sold it a while back.  It had that silver what's called "Totenkopf" skull and bones logo on the front.  I guess, Totenkopf    could mean either "Death's Head;" or "Dead Person's Head."  Libby has a pleasant scent.           

        The totenkopf image on the SS's hat was "meant to intimidate," which "worked" our boss thinks.  If a person was tempted to resist arrest or fight they "thought twice" about it.  I've said  before how the letters "SS" is the abbreviation for "Schutzstaffel" or "Protection Squadron."     

      

JAMES HETFIELD (METALLICA)                       MICK MARS (MÖTLEY CRÜE)   

    

         Our boss and Mr. Dave talked about how 18th century Pirates, like Blackbeard; used skull images to intimidate.  Mr. Dave has seen 1980's pictures of METALLICA and MÖTLEY CRÜE  where members wear skull and bones on things.  Ah!  Blackbeard and Anne are flying bye.          

         Dais told me how, in the far back closet and bathroom area of the house; a big black flag is draped over a door.  And it has a scary white "Skull and Crossbones" logo on it.   Ah!   A breeze  just brought in the scent of Bravo Company from out there in the desert behind the Sheds.           

   I've mentioned a few times over the last two days how Mr. Steve's sister Susan studied "Interior Design" in College, first in Santa Barbara; then at C.S.U.N.  One time she and our boss talked of Adolph Hitler's seemingly "innate ability to cleverly use imagery."   Libby neighed.                          

             NAZI PARTY RALLY (NUREMBURG)                    

         

          Dais heard our boss tell his mom the girl in College thought it a "brilliant" graphic design idea to "tilt," or "rotate;" the swastika logos "at an angle."  This creates a "sense of dynamism    and movement," which Hitler knew.  "Hakenkreuz" means "Hooked Cross" in German.              

        I guess Hitler even calculated the "width" of the lines in the black swastika.  The girl said having the swastika not touch the edges of a white circle gives the feeling of "floating," and even  "vibration and energy."   Robins are chirping out there in the desert, and sound happy.               

         Mr. Steve had that Parts Manager customer named "Harry," who was born in "India" and knows a lot about history.   Mr. Harry, who's "Sikh;" says "for centuries all over the world" the  swastika logo has been a "religious and cultural" symbol.  It feels good to hear those Robins.                        

"GANESH"     

         

       Daisy saw this tv show that said the swastika image has been "found on things" from the ancient world.  Mr. Harry told our boss the Hindu Elephant-headed God "Ganesh" gives "good  luck" and "removes obstacles."  Elephants really do knock down trees in India Dais heard.          

        My Encyclopedia says in the ancient world swastika's are found all the way from China to Egypt.  And, they've been "observed" in Mesopotamia, Greece and then the Roman Empire too.  Andy's over there under that clump of Joshua trees sniffing the air in guarding the burrow.         

         American Indians use "geometric swastika patterns" on pottery and ceremonial clothes Mr. Dave told our boss.  Daisy noticed how sometimes swastika's point to the left, at other times over to the right.  Smelling Andy right now is making me feel happy to have a good place to live.                    

SIGN                          "SWASTIKA"                      FIELD     

ONTARIO (CANADA)

         

           A few years ago Mr. Ivan down there in Sylmar read about a small Canadian town named "Swastika."  Someone carved, or "mowed" a gigantic image of a left pointing swastika out in a   field of grass.  Mr. Ivan told our boss there's also a mountain in Oregon named Swastika too.      

         I guess, from what Mr. Ivan told Mr. Steve on the phone one time, that town of Swastika was founded in 1908 as a "gold mining town," named for the old "Sanskrit" symbol for "Good    Fortune."  1908 was only six years before World War I.  Boy!  This day has been so good.             

       Mr. Ivan read about this 1930's girl named Unity Mitford, who was "conceived" in that Canadian town of Swastika.  She was from a rich and powerful British family, and her parents    owned one of the gold mines there.  Samson and Delilah are flying toward the northeast.               

   

               UNITY MITFORD (1914-1948)                           HITLER'S FEMALE FANS                   

 

          It's interesting how many of Adolph Hitler's biggest fans or supporters were female, and I guess that English girl Unity Mitford was one of them.  I guess, she even became a member of his "Inner Circle" from what Mr. Ivan said.  I smell Bonnie and Clyde's babies sleeping up there.     

       This Encyclopedia says Unity Mitford was one of seven kids, most not liking her hanging around Fascists.  One sister was a Communist so they didn't get along.  Mr. Ivan told our boss's dad how, in Truman Capote's play "Breakfast at Tiffany's;" Unity Mitford is mentioned.            

         Mr. Ivan told our boss what it says here, Unity Mitford tried to kill herself when England and Germany "went to war."  She was "rumored" to be Hitler's "Mistress," and some say she      had his baby.  Hey Lord!  That kind of sounds like the story of You and Mary Magdalene too.                                     

   WORLD WAR I       

           (WAR "DECLARED" / MUNICH / 1914)            

                            

          Wow!  A good picture in my Encyclopedia shows the moment when World War I is being announced to a big crowd in "Munich," and an enlarged section shows how Hitler had a happy    look on his face.  I've mentioned before how Munich is that city in "Bavaria," Germany.               

           The man on the tv show said Hitler was "Drafted" into the Austro-Hungarian army.  He wanted to fight, just not for them; so joined the German army instead.  I've mentioned a few times how back in 1951 Mr. Steve's dad "willingly volunteered" to fight in the Korean War.         

         A Lizard ran down the wall, and went behind our silver water bucket over there on the floor next to the sliding glass door going into the kitchen dining room.  I'm not thirsty because on my break I drank from the front yard water bucket.  Oh!  That Lizard ran out into the dirt.                                                                        

       WORLD WAR I          

                         

           That picture shows Adolph Hitler in the First World War, and the caption says he and his Dog "Fuschl" are with two other German Soldiers.  Oh!  What a coincidence that, just as I look  at Hitler's Dog; I hear Dawn barking.  I've mentioned before how Fuschl means "Little Fox."    

            I just thought of how Hitler had to trim his handlebar mustache during the war in order to more snugly fit a gas mask on his face.  But, I guess it only worked for so long; because at the   end of the war he was in a hospital for being gassed.  Boy!  I like having Dawn around.                 

          According to my Encyclopedia, Adolph Hitler was "awarded" three Medals in the First World War; two "Iron Cross's" for bravery and a third for getting wounded.  At the very end of the war in 1918 he was temporarily blinded from being gassed.  Blinky has such a nice scent.                                                                       

      EVA BRAUN / ADOLPH HITLER           

              

         That picture in my Encyclopedia shows Hitler and his girlfriend Eva Braun with their Dogs.  Daisy told me the man on the tv show said it's "ironic" Hitler, responsible for the "deaths  of millions;" didn't like it when Herman Göring hunted Animals.  I smell some Mesquite.             

              I guess Hitler, unlike most people then and now; was a "Vegetarian" who didn't drink or smoke.  Mr. Steve read, like Gangster Arnold Rothstein who "Fixed" the 1919 Word Series; his    biggest "Vice" was eating sweet cakes with cold milk.  And Hitler really hated cigarettes!              

         As a kid in the 1960's Mr. Steve noticed that, except for he and his brothers and sisters parents; almost all other adults smoked.  When they met in 1949. unlike all their friends; neither  one of our boss's parents smoked.  All four of the Pigeons are now flying over Libby's Corral.           

"DRIVE IN" MOVIE THEATER

         Daisy one time heard our boss and his mom remembering about going to the movies where you can sit in your Car to watch the movie.  Wow!  Mr. Steve and his parents have some pleasant memories of sitting in the Car on warm Summer nights.   The food seemed to taste so good.          

         Our boss and Miss Sandy smoked for a month in High School, mostly out of curiosity from what Dais heard.  But, they both quit at exactly same time; and it was at one of those "Drive In" movie theaters I guess.  Right now Andy's over there sniffing the air in guarding the burrow.       

         Watching the movie from inside his first Chevelle, Mr. Steve and Miss Sandy were smoking these brown "Sherman" cigarettes.  Without saying a word, they looked at each other and put      the cigarettes out in the ash tray.  Mr. Steve closed it and that was the last time they smoked.                                             

      GEORGE ORWELL (1903-1950)     

                                

        I've mentioned that British Writer George Orwell a few times.  In this Encyclopedia the caption under his picture says he's "changing his son's shoes" and I notice he has a cigarette in    his mouth.  Cher just went out into the back field and Andy's sure keeping an eye on her.              

         Mr. Steve told his mom, in the late 1980's and early 1990's; there were times when he and Miss Harriet were "probably the only ones" in a Nightclub not smoking and drinking.  Our boss and Mr. Randy, who smokes; one time talked about smoking.  Andy has such a nice scent.            

         Dais noticed how, in old black and white movies; a lot of people smoked.  In the 1960's and 1970's most people smoked; even in places like "Bowling Alleys" Mr. Steve says.  Daisy one time  explained to me what the sport of "Bowling" is, and now I really do want to play that game.           

"BOWLING"

PHOTO BY DANIELLE WATSON

        Daisy says, back in 2002; our boss took his Niece Samantha and her friends bowling.  But Samantha, who was born in 1993; was more interested in trying to grab stuffed animals out of a "Vending" machine so Mr. Steve gave her a lot of quarters.  Dais may've been born in 1998.         

        According what Daisy can figure out, in bowling you roll a ball down an alley made out of  slippery and polished wood.  The object is for the ball to knock down a group of "Pins" I guess.    It sounds so fun and, if there's such a thing as Dog bowling; I would definitely try to do it.            

         I smell some of the Beavertail cactus around here.  Oh!  I just glanced up and notice Bravo Company and their new Spring babies streaming through both gate slots, to come back in from    being out in the back desert.  Now Laverne and Shirley are leading them underneath Manny.                                              

"BOWLING"

          

        Wow! A good color picture in this Encyclopedia shows a bowling ball hitting some of those pins.  I see what Daisy meant when she said a bowling ball, which is so heavy; has three holes to stick your fingers into.  Boy!  It's too bad I don't have any longer fingers and only short toes.       

         Dais says you need special shoes to bowl so you won't slip and fall down.  Hey!  If we could make lighter balls, or maybe invent bowling shoes for Dogs; we could sell them and possibly even earn some money.  A small flock of Birds is flying bye way up there in the late morning sky.          

        According to Daisy, our boss told Mr. Grant on the phone one time how he thinks, for "at least two thirds" of the 20th century; most adults smoked either cigarettes, cigars or those pipes  that I've mentioned before.  Dawn's barking over there.  Oh!  And now so is little Blinky too.                                 

        WORLD WAR I                                            WORLD WAR II         

             

            A picture shows this First World War German Soldier letting his cigarette be used by a captured British Soldier to light a cigarette.  In a photo from World War II German Soldiers are smoking.   You can see the difference in the two main types of helmets used in World War I.         

            Mr. Steve's mom does not like smoking at all!  Mr. Steve's father, for a short period after leaving the Marines; smoked thin cigars but quit for her.  I've mentioned before how they met on April the 8th, when she was fourteen; and that Miss Emily's birthday is the 9th of April.               

            Our house, built by Mrs. Gunther in 1989; was bought by Mr. Steve's parents in 1998.  I notice how, on the "Mantle" above the living room fireplace; is this marble piece on which Mr.    Steve's mom painted "Smoke Not."   Mr. Steve leaves it there but has allowed smoking.                           

      FRANKLIN D. ROOSEVELT (1882-1945)               HUNTER S. THOMPSON (1937-2005)            

      

        Daisy and I would never smoke but, if we ever did try it; would want to use a cigarette holder like the ones President Roosevelt and that Writer Hunter S. Thompson used.  We kind of  just like how they look.  Blackbeard and Anne Bonny are now flying over Libby's Corral.             

            I guess Adolph Hitler smoked for a while but then quit because he thought it was a waste of money.  I've mentioned how he was one of those "Vegetarians."  Mr. Ivan said he "tolerated" when others, like his girlfriend Eva Braun for instance; smoked.  But not "In his Presence."        

            Hitler knew too many people smoked for him to totally ban it, but told Doctors to prove it was harmful; so he could get rid of it later.  I guess, later in the 1970's and 1980's; many of their  "Findings" were used to show it was bad.  Daisy says now a "Warning" is on the package.            

                     

POPE URBAN VII (1521-1590)    

ARTIST UNKNOWN            

         

          One time Daisy and Millie saw a tv show about the Roman Catholic Popes, which said the shortest "Papacy" in history, twelve days; was led by "Urban VII.  I guess he was a Politician in the 16th century Italian City-States and later became a Priest.  Daffy's quacking really loud.        

         Hey Lord!  Pope Urban VII, who Dais says was known for trying to help the poor like You said to do; in 1590 issued the first "Smoking Ban."  Columbus brought tobacco back to Europe  after his first voyage of 1492.  Speedy Gonzalez just sprinted bye in front of the Sheds.                  

        Dais says, in the 16th century if you didn't do what a leader said; they simply killed you by burning or beheading.  Since civilization began in about 4,000 B.C., violence has always been a "Cure all Remedy."  Urban VII died of "Malaria, and was "rare in not using nepotism."                           

MR. STEVE'S PARENTS    

                       PHOTO BY RODERICK CÓRDOVA               

                                                         

         I just thought of how Mr. Steve's mom met his father when he was fourteen and he was seventeen.  Mr. Ivan joked that, at the time of the Korean War in the early 1950's smoking was "so common" it was even "Issued" to Soldiers.  Mr. Steve's dad just gave or traded away his.      

          One thing about our boss's parents Dais thinks, even as teenagers; they didn't do things just because everyone else was doing it.  What's called "Peer Group Pressure" never influenced  them like it did Mr. Steve and his brothers and sisters at times.  Two of the Pigeons flew bye.        

             Daisy says our boss told his mom, on the night at the Drive In Movie Theater when he and Miss Sandy smoked those final cigarettes; neither said a word as Mr. Steve pushed the ash    tray closed in his Chevelle.  And that was the "End of That" as they say.  I smell Juniper.                         

      HITLER ENTERING AUSTRIA       

                        ("ANSCHLUSS" / 1938)                       

            

           I notice again how in the pictures showing  Adolph Hitler "entering" his "home country" of "Austria," a lot of the people "cheering wildly" are females.  I mentioned yesterday how the    German word "Anschluss" means "Joining."  Boy! I'm so glad I have all these Dictionaries.        

         Thank You God for having Dais find all these Dictionaries, as they've really helped me so much in these first two books.  "Anschluss Osterreichs," or "Annexation of Austria;" is what      they called it when Hitler took Austria back in 1938.  I smell Bonnie and Clyde's babies.               

         As I said yesterday, the year before the "Mexican War" broke out; Texas was annexed or added into the U.S. as a "State."  Up until then, from 1836 through 1845; it had been an actual    "Country."  That Dragonfly, which I could hear coming from far away; just zoomed bye.                                                   

ADOLPH HITLER  (1889-1945)    

                     

         Hey Lord!  Dais told me how the "History" tv Channel "Ranked" the one hundred "most influential" people' in history. Hitler was 14th.  Daisy says it seems like the only ones ahead of      him on that list were You and people like Buddha, Confucius and the Prophet Muhammad.          

         From what Dais told me, the History Channel had Adolph Hitler even above Napoléon and Julius Caesar in terms of their "impact" on human history.  I have a feeling, from "Here on In" as they say;  I'll be learning more about them.  Hitler's name is "Tied" to many subjects.              

        So far in my these first two books I've mentioned that one 16th century Italian guy Nicollò Machiavelli a few times already.  He was on the History Channel's list, because of that famous      "Handbook for Power" he wrote called "The Prince."  I really do want to read it someday.                                                          

 NICCOLLÒ MACHIAVELLI (1469-1527)

PAINTING BY SANTI DI TITO        

       

           "Machiavelli's" book said a "good leader" knew when to "caress or annihilate," when to use a "velvet glove or an iron fist," when to be a "Fox or a Lion."  Machiavelli thought usually it "more  effective" to be "feared than loved."  A Train whistled faintly over there to my left.           

           Adolph Hitler, Joseph Stalin and Mao Zedong all read The Prince and, before that so did some of the American Founding Fathers.  I guess, in "The Godfather" movie; they asked about    whether being "Feared or Loved" is better.  Some Crows are squawking in the back field.            

         Well,  back to my outline.  I still want to write a little bit more about Code Breaking, and the breaking of the Axis codes in the Second World War; which was just as secret or "Classified" as the U.S.  building Nuclear bombs in New Mexico.  It was totally "Top Secret" so to speak.                                                  

                "ENIGMA" ENCODING MACHINE                      

                                             

            Tomorrow Daisy has me scheduled to write a lot about the country of Poland, especially in the 20th century.  And one thing I'll find out about is how, before World War II; some Polish Scientists were trying to break the German's "Enigma" Code.  A Cow Bird just flew bye.             

            My Encyclopedia shows a German Enigma "encoding device," the caption saying in the late 1930's it was "thought to be" a code "impossible" to figure out.  I guess it wasn't all the way  until the mid-1970's that the British "revealed" how Enigma was broken.  I smell Sage.                

          When Dais and I prepared my three long outlines, we decided I'd mainly learn about the subject of "Blitzkrieg" today; even though I mentioned it a few times yesterday.  Smelling that    Sage reminds me of that late morning last Summer.  Ah!  And now a Train is whistling too!                             

OPERATION "DESERT STORM"      

(IRAQ / "HIGHWAY OF DEATH" / 1991)          

                        

           I remember that morning when that guy named "Dan" came over to our house.  As our boss watered the Mulberry tree Mr. Dan told him he had fought in the first "Iraq War" of  1991; or "Operation Desert Storm."  He saw and smelled the bodies on that "Highway of Death."         

           Dais has me scheduled to write about those two "Gulf Wars" over the next two days, and how in 1991 the U.S. used "Shock and Awe" to defeat Saddam Hussein's "Iraqi" army.  It was    like Blitzkrieg.  Mr. Steve was told Saddam Hussein read Machiavelli's book The Prince.             

         That guy Mr. Dan said Shock and Awe was "as effective" as the Nazi's Blitzkrieg tactics used in World War II to "conquer most of Europe."  It's interesting how George Bush Sr. was      President during the first Gulf War, his son President in the second.  Heathcliff crowed.                  

IRAQ GAS ATTACK ON KURDS 

("HALABJA" / MARCH 16, 1988)

PHOTOS BY BEHROUZ MEHRI

           Over the next two days I'll learn about the use of "Biological" and "Chemical" weapons,  mainly because Mr. Steve and his dad think they'll most likely be used in the future.  I guess that guy Saddam Hussein used them against these people called "Kurds."  I can smell Creosote.          

         "Gas" was used a lot in World War I but, even though they "looked into it;" not at all in the Second World War.   Mr. Steve's father read about "Unit 731," the Japanese Biological and    Chemical department in China.  It used Chinese prisoners to do painful experiments on.               

         When World War II ended in late 1945 the United States "Acquired" all the knowledge gained by Unit 731.  Even though the Japanese Doctors killed thousands of Chinese people doing "Experiments," they weren't "Prosecuted" at all I guess.  And we got all of their "Data."                         

POLAND ATTACKED (SEPTEMBER, 1939)

                     

       World War II "officially" began in September of 1939, after Hitler and Stalin agreed to conquer Poland.  The French and British "Declared War" on Germany and, that was it.  Poland was the first use of German Blitzkrieg "Lightning War" tactics using fast moving "Armor."        

       This Encyclopedia defines Blitzkrieg as being, "Sudden, large scale attack using mobile forces and firepower; to create shock and disorientation."  Some Germans, like those guys Heinz Guderian an Erwin Rommel; had studied the use of Tanks.  Two of the Pigeons are flying bye.     

        I wrote in book one how, just before "dividing up" Poland; Hitler's "Nazis" and Stalin's "Communists" really "shocked the world" in becoming allies.  Everyone thought, based in part  on Hitler's book "Mein Kampf;" they hated each other.  Now the other two Pigeons flew bye.               

GERMANY, SOVIET UNION CONQUER POLND (1939)

          

             Boy!  It's too bad Poland still used "Cavalry" in World War II,  because by 1939 Horses had to fight "Tanks."  A painting shows Polish Soldiers fighting the Germans, and I notice one is  throwing a spear at a Panzer tank.  There are some thin clouds up in the late morning sky.           

          In the painting I also notice a poor Horse about to be run over by that huge Tank.  Boy God!  I sure do hope I never get run over by a Tank.  I remember what that Dog Blackie, who's    buried in our graveyard; looked like after that Truck hit and killed him.  Heathcliff crowed.         

          After taking Poland in late 1939, the Germans then turned west; and prepared to attack France, the Netherlands and Belgium.  In May of 1940, again using Blitzkrieg tactics; they took  all three countries.  After that only England was left to oppose them in "Western" Europe.                              

       "BLITZKRIEG" ("LIGHTNING" WAR)             

                                                     

          In book one I wrote about how there were three parts to Blitzkrieg.  This Encyclopedia describes it as the "coordinated" use of "Armor, Air Power and Infantry."  And that's only after very much "study and planning," in order to achieve the "maximum surprise possible."               

            I've mentioned a few times how in June of 1941 Germany attacked its then ally the Soviet Union.  But before they did that, the Nazis took eight other European countries; often by using    those new Blitzkrieg tactics.  Blackbeard and Anne Bonny just flew out into the back desert.        

         The Germans conquered Denmark and Norway, and then took the Netherlands, Belgium, Luxemburg, and France.  And, because Hitler couldn't attack the Soviet Union without leaving    his right "Flank" exposed; he used Blitzkrieg to take Yugoslavia and Greece.  I smell Sage.           

                                        

WORLD WAR II    

   ("CRETE," GREECE / 1941 / "PARATROOPS")     

                                                   

          Daisy says our boss's father knows about how, in early 1941 the Nazis used "sky diving paratroop" Soldiers jumping out of Planes to conquer Greece; forcing the British to "evacuate."  By then the Germans had conquered almost all of Western Europe.  A gray Sparrow flew bye.      

       Mr. Steve's father thinks the "most impressive" Blitzkriegs were in 1940, when Hitler conquered the Netherlands, Belgium, France; and that little nation of Luxembourg too.  Either    a Car or Truck went bye out there on Primavera Road, and left behind the lingering dust.            

            All of a sudden I just thought of those German "U-Boats," Ships that can travel under the water; and are called "Submarines."  In both 20th century world wars they were important and influenced a lot of powerful people's decisions.  I wonder if I can learn how to swim someday?                                                   WORLD WAR II GERMAN "U-BOAT" 

(TYPE VII-C CLASS)       

                                       

           I guess, after "taking" France in 1940 only England "remained free;" so for a year the "Battle of Britain" was fought.  The British "repelled" the Germans so Hitler  attacked Stalin.      But, he didn't know in May of 1941 the British Navy had captured an "Enigma" machine.         

             The English sank a U-Boat in May of 1941 but, before it sank; were able to "retrieve" its Enigma machine.  The Germans thought it had "gone down" with the U-Boat, and that machine was right away sent to the people over there at "Bletchley Park."   I smell some Mesquite.            

         Acquiring that Enigma machine was huge and really helped Bletchley Park, better than they already had; break the German code.  This Encyclopedia says the "U" in U-Boat is short      for "Unterseeboot" or "Under Sea Boat" in English.   Ah!  I love to smell Spring Sage.                                       

      "VAPOR TRAIL"            

                     

            I just glanced up and see one of those white vapor trails way up there in the sky above the desert behind the Sheds.  Hey God!  That suddenly reminds me of last Summer, which makes me feel really good that I'm still alive down here.  So, thank You so much for how I feel right now.     

          After conquering France Hitler, knowing the British had a really strong Navy; tried to use his "Luftwaffe" Air Force alone to defeat England.  For a year the "Battle of Britain," and later the "Blitz" were fought.  Winston Churchill had come into power right before France fell.            

       Winston Churchill was England's "Prime Minister" during World War II.  Yesterday I wrote about his "disastrous" plan in the First World War to attack on the "Ottoman" Turks at    "Gallipoli."  He really wanted to make up for that and this was his chance Daisy heard.                

                                              

       "COVENTRY," ENGLAND  (1940)         

                          

            Wow!  I guess on November 15, 1940 Winston Churchill "allowed" the city of "Coventry" to be bombed and five hundred people died.  He did not want the Germans to know Enigma had  been broken.  Mr. Steve's Niece Samantha, and Mr. Mark; were born on November 15th.             

        Mr. Steve and his dad think, even though everyone is flawed; Winston Churchill was the perfect leader for the British during World War II.  After Hitler had conquered almost all of the  countries in Europe England was alone.  Frida and Diego the Bluebirds just went bye.                   

           It says here Winston Churchill had "great courage" and "ability to inspire" the British in the "face of  defeat."  In a 1940 Radio speech he "growled defiance," and promised people only    "blood, sweat and tears."  I can smell that one older Joshua tree right behind the Sheds.                                      

      BLOOD, SWEAT & TEARS                              MR. RALPH                            

          

             Daisy one time heard our boss and Mr. Ralph talk about a band called BLOOD, SWEAT & TEARS.  I guess, they're from New York City and play Jazz-Rock "Fusion" music Daisy told me. Millie, because of all the "Horns;"  really liked their song about a "Spinning Wheel."            

          Mr. Ralph said, "since they formed in the 1960's there's never been a single version" of BLOOD, SWEAT & TEARS.  They've had "many forms who played many styles" of music too.  Dawn's barking over there to my right, and I smell Blinky and Rosie standing next to her.            

           I guess Mr. Ralph jokingly described BLOOD, SWEAT & TEARS as a "revolving door," saying "you need a scorecard to keep up."  Dais noticed, like CHICAGO; their songs have bass,  drums and guitar but also a lot of good horns in them too.  I wonder what a Scorecard is?                                                                      

            WINSTON CHURCHILL (1874-1965)             

                                                               

          Daisy says our boss's dad has a book written by Winston Churchill, who he thinks was one of the "most important" people in the 20th century.  I'd wear a hat like the one he's wearing in    the Encyclopedia picture.  All four of the Pigeons just flew over Libby's Corral right now.             

          I just thought of how at the "Battle of Stalingrad," which Daisy has me scheduled to learn about later; the Russians strapped bombs on Dogs.  Then, those Dogs ran underneath German    Tanks and blew themselves up.  Smelling Libby right now makes me remember last Spring.         

        Mr. Steve and his father one time talked with Mr. Hussein about how,  now in 2014; there are "Suicide Bombers."   They strap explosives onto themselves, and blow themselves up trying   to kill as many of the enemy as they can.  Tomorrow I'll find out about those "Jihadists."                       

                     HITLER                           CHURCHILL                           ROOSEVELT           

           

          Dais saw a tv show that mentioned how Adolph Hitler, Winston Churchill and Franklin Roosevelt liked Dogs.  Some people joke sometimes a Dog can come to resemble their owner, but  we don't look anything like our boss I'd say.  I can smell Bonnie and Clyde's babies up there.       

          One time Mr. Steve and his mom talked about his Dog "Lady," who lived to be nineteen years old and is one of my role models.  Some people joked how Lady's eyes "resembled" our      boss's eyes in her old age.  Libby's over there walking around very slowly in her Corral.                

           Tomorrow in book three I'm scheduled to learn about the years "Between" the two world wars, 1919 through 1939; but now I'll go back to finding out about World War II.  Rudy just ran bye in front of the Sheds but, even though it would be fun; I won't go chase him.  I smell Sage.                                                        

"FASCIST" EUROPE (1941)     

                      

             A good map shows how, by mid-1941; Germany and Italy "controlled" much of Europe.   In June of 1940 that "English Channel" was "all that separated" England from "falling" too.      But, before Hitler could take England; his Luftwaffe Air Force had to "control the skies."            

          I said before how the reason why the Battle of Britain was necessary is because of what happened in May of 1940.  My Encyclopedia says the Germans "routed" the English and French armies on the "mainland" of Europe.  Two Crows are fighting out there in the desert.

            Hey Blessed Mother!  I just said a quick prayer and now can really start working hard on World War II.  I'm getting so comfortable holding pens and pencils, and love learning all of these new things too.  Thank You for so much Mother Mary for helping me down here on Elvira.           

       FLOCK OF BIRDS     

          Oh!  A flock of Birds is going bye up in the sky and for some reason that sight makes me feel pretty good right now.  Boy God!  Dais is so right in saying I'm lucky to have this big project to work on, it giving me a "Purpose" to get up this morning.  So thank You if You caused it.         

           After Germany and Russia "divided up" Poland in 1939, Stalin then took the country of "Finland;" but Hitler noticed what a hard time he had doing it.  Hitler "turned his attention" to the west toward France.  Cher the Cat used the right gate slot to go into the back desert.               

         This one Encyclopedia says that, after "crushing" western Poland; Hitler then wanted to immediately attack the Netherlands, Belgium and France.  But, his Generals "convinced him" to "wait until 1940.  So, he conquered Denmark and Norway "In the Meantime" so to speak.                            

      GERMANY TAKES NORWAY AND DENMARK (APRIL, 1940)   

                                                  

            Oh!  Hitler invaded Norway on April 9th, Miss Emily's birthday.  He did it to "control" the North Sea, "acquire a route" for his U-Boats to "enter" the Atlantic Ocean;" and "secure" iron ore from Sweden.  I've mentioned before how Mr. Steve's parents met on April 8th.               

          After the "fall" of Denmark and Norway fighting in Europe stopped until May of 1940; what's called the "Phony War."  It says here the French and British were "confident," and used  the time to prepare for the "inevitable" German attack.  I smell a Lizard around here.                  

             I guess, the French and British Generals thought the Germans would attack through the "Lowland" countries of Holland and Belgium; the way they did at the beginning of World War I in 1914.  But they were "In for a big Surprise" as they say.  I see the Lizard over there.                                                                WORLD WAR I                                                       WORLD WAR II                       

                            

         Daisy and Millie saw a tv show that said about "nine million" Soldiers died in the First World War, France being the country which lost the most.  Not only that, much of the war was    fought on or near French "Soil" so few in France wanted another war.   The Lizard's gone.          

          The tv show said, in the years "Between the Wars" there weren't enough French babies born.  So, because of that "manpower shortage;" people knew if there was another war France    would be "incapable of an offensive strategy."  All four of the Pigeons are now flying bye.             

            I guess, after World War I; the French decided to built that "Maginot" Line I mentioned in my first book.  It would be a "Series" of concrete and steel "Fortifications" between France    and  Germany.  But, then in 1940 when the Germans did attack; they simply went around it.                                                                  "MAGINOT" LINE                  

                                                 

           A picture shows a section of the Maginot line, thought to be "Impregnable;" because it was made using "modern methods."  It was originally intended to "extend" all of the way out to the English Channel, but Belgium never did build their part as promised.   A map shows it.          

            So, that Maginot Line only "stood between" France and Germany; but not the border of  Belgium and France.  The Germans did attack on May 10, 1940 and, at first; did come through  the "Low Countries of the Netherlands and Belgium as expected.  But it was only a "Feint."      

          When the Germans began their attack the French and British armies were "moved up," nearer to the border between Belgium and France.  It says here how Blitzkrieg tactics "quickly    brushed aside all opposition" in the Low Countries.  A Sparrow carrying a long twig ran bye.      

                          

    "BLITZKRIEG" (MAY, 1940)      

                                                          

       A map in my Encyclopedia shows the first stage of what happened in May, 1940.  When I wrote about that Painter Vincent van Gogh yesterday in book one I mentioned how Holland is an area inside of the "Netherlands."  And the people of the Netherlands are called "Dutch."              

        In Boxing, a right-handed fighter will hold his "off" left hand forward; the more powerful right hand back.  Mr. Ralph said, the German's attack on Holland and Belgium was kind of like a "probing left jab."  The strong scent of some Beavertail cactus just came in from my right.        

        Dais heard in Boxing a "Jab" punch from a right-handed fighter is "Flicked" out with the left hand, often intended to "Gauge" the distance between you and your opponent.  You hope to "Lure" your foe into "Range" to hit him with a powerful right hand.  Daffy's quacking.                                                              

 "BLITZKRIEG"  (NAZI "ARMORED" COLLUMNS)   

                                         

          As I wrote yesterday, Nazi Blitzkrieg was a brand new "Method" of modern warfare.  My  Encyclopedia says it was "motorized" warfare, intended to "overwhelm" an enemy through the "coordinated and devastating" use of Tanks, Planes and Infantry.  I smell some Arborvitae.         

        The German attack through Holland and Belgium was intended to make the Allies pull up their armies to the border of Belgium and France.  But the real attack then came in the area just north of where the Maginot Line ended.  Some Crows are fighting out there in the desert.             

        I just thought of that kid Jason, who's learning how to play guitar; and was afraid of me and Daisy at first.  I remember the first time he came over we barked at him from the other side of the gate.  But now we're his friend and look forward to smelling him when he comes over.                              

     JUDAS PRIEST                                                          ROXY MUSIC           

                              

           I just thought of how, when Jason jokingly asked our boss which songs would fit Dais and I's different personalities; Mr. Steve picked two songs by those two 1970's British bands.  After he got to know us better Jason later totally agreed with those songs.  A Train whistled faintly.       

        My theme song is now ROXY MUSIC'S "Virginia Plain," Daisy's JUDAS PRIEST song "You Got Another Thing Coming."  I've mentioned how, when Dais runs; she kind of resembles   a German "Panzer" Tank.  Unlike me who almost always runs fast; she "Conserves" energy.      

           This one Encyclopedia says that the "Ardennes Forest," until 1940; was "thought to be an impenetrable obstacle.  It's north of the Maginot Line, and the Allies didn't think they needed to put a lot of men there.  But, unfortunately for them; that turned out to be a very big mistake.                    

             "STURM" PANZER                           "ARDENNES" FOREST (MAY, 1940)       

                                             

           I remember that morning when, as our boss watered the big Mulberry tree up in the front yard; he and Mr. Cliff talked about 1940.  I guess the Allied Generals didn't realize Tanks could   go so easily through that thick Ardennes Forest.  Mr. Cliff said like a "knife through butter."      

         "Tanks" were invented in World War I but, with Blitzkrieg; became "Massed" formations rather than "Infantry Support."  Blitzkrieg used Tanks and those "Stuka" dive bombers to "act  as a penetrating fist" in "punching a hole" in the enemy's lines.  Andy's sniffing the air.                

        My Encyclopedia says the long German name for the Stuka is "Sturzkampfflugzeug" or "Drop down fighter plane."  Wow!  That name would've been hard to look up, even if I do have   my German Dictionary.  Samson and Delilah are flying over Libby's Corral over there.                

        

JUNKERS Ju-87 ("STUKA" DIVE BOMBER) 

       

             I guess one of the models Mr. Steve built as a kid was a Stuka, which got destroyed in the 1971 earthquake.  It says here how it's "inverted gull wing" design was it's "most recognizable" feature.  Boy!  The high late morning blue sky is so beautiful right now!  Thank Everyone!           

         One time Daisy and Millie were in our boss's office, and heard him talking on the phone with Mr. Dave in New Mexico; who knows about Airplanes.  Mr. Steve told him the model Stuka  he built was the version with a cannon on it for destroying Tanks.   Heathcliff just crowed.            

           Dais heard our boss say the Stuka was good at the beginning of World War II but became "obsolete" quickly.  He told Mr. Dave his friend Mark Ritter who died knew a lot about World    War II Planes.  Seeing Libby in her Corral nibbling hay on the ground makes me feel good.                               

NIGHTMARE    

       

            To terrify, "wind-driven" sirens were attached to the bottom of the Stuka's wings; which made a "shrieking" sound as they flew down.  The Germans jokingly called them  "Jericho's      Trumpets."  Dais says in 1985 the St. Ferdinand's Tour Group visited Jericho in Israel.                

            Mr. Steve had a scary dream where, in total darkness; he heard sounds coming closer and getting louder.  He thinks maybe the sounds were what he imagined a diving Stuka might sound like.  The sirens were eventually "abandoned" because the weight made the Stuka fly slower.       

       A man from France named Charles de Gaulle, like Hitler and Churchill; fought in World War I.  He then wrote a book "advocating" using Tanks the way the Germans did later against France.  That guy Nostradamus, who I wrote; may have made a few "Predictions" about him.                                                                                          

                    CHARLES DE GAULLE (1890-1970)                      

                                                           

          My Encyclopedia says Charles de Gaulle's idea of "mobile" use of Tanks was "ignored" in France.  The French leaders preferred "fixed fortifications" like the Maginot Line.   I do like the rounded hat he's wearing in the picture, and would definitely for sure wear a style like that.        

        I've mentioned before how, on top of that Entertainment Center in the living room; there are "military" and other type hats Mr. Steve's collected.  Over the years I guess he's bought and  sold them and Daisy heard he's had French rounded hats.   A Train just whistled faintly.               

        Oh what the heck!  According to my outlines I'm not really scheduled to write about that guy Nostradamus now, but I just kind of feel like doing it.  Our boss and Mr. Dave talked about  his 16th century book where he made all those "Prophesies" or predictions about the future.        

       

    MICHEL DE NOSTRADAMUS (1503-1566)     

       

           This one Encyclopedia says Nostradamus' famous 1555 book, which I really want to read someday; was written when he and his "second" family were living in southern France.  Daisy    says Mr. Steve told his Niece Samantha he has Nostradamus's book.  It was his dad's copy.           

        It says here what Daisy heard too, how Nostradamus was a "Medical Doctor."  Mr. Steve told his Niece Cristina in those days almost all Europeans believed in "Astrology;" so he was a    "Seer" too.  His entire first family were all killed by a breakout of the "Plague" I guess.                

        When he was "unable" to prevent the deaths of his own first wife and children it "had to have effected him psychologically" Mr. Dave thinks.  Maybe that's why Nostradamus just went  out and then "roamed" all over Europe for ten years?  Donald and Daisy are quacking.                                   

NEIL PEART (RUSH) 

  

          Mr. Dave heard RUSH'S Drummer Neil Peart's first wife and daughter died within a year of each other.  In grief, he "retired," and "rode a Motorcycle" from Canada down to "Central"  America.  Dais heard his daughter was named "Selena," like our boss's sister "Celina."                

         I'll bet Mr. Dave is right in thinking Neil Peart, just like Nostradamus back in the 1500's; got "therapeutic" value out of "moving" from "place to place."  Hey God!  Daisy thinks it was    You who probably made that happen for them.  Mr. Dave read Neil Peart rode a "BMW."            

           Mr. Steve's father said, "There's nothing like death to give you the proper perspective."  I guess God, for Neil Peart seeing all the different parts of the physical world You gave us to live in down here; gave him the proper perspective about life.   Samson and Delilah just flew bye.                                 

   ADOLPH HITLER (1889-1945) 

  

           Mr. Steve thinks some things Nostradamus said, like "He who by his tongue will seduce a giant troop;" fit Adolph Hitler.  And "The greater part of the battlefield will be against Hister" is "kind of weird" Mr. Dave said.  Wow!  I'll bet Nostradamus was predicting Hitler alright!            

        Daisy says this lady one time told our boss "Hister" is the Latin name for the "Danube" River, which is what he'd read too.  Mr. Steve's father read Nostradamus's predictions about that guy Charles de Gaulle but "isn't sure" that they refer to him.   Leo and Cleo flew bye.                   

        The only part of Nostradamus' supposed predictions about Charles de Gaulle Mr. Steve's dad thinks is interesting is when he wrote, "the surname of the chief of triple Gaul."  Charles de Gaulle was leader of France three times, and France used to be called "Gaul."  I smell Sage.              

HIGH AFTERNOON SKY      

      

              Mr. Dave thinks when Nostradamus said, "A young child will be born of poor people;" it "could" apply to Hitler.  A "cage of iron" and "his fame will increase towards the realm of the      east" do seem to fit Hitler alright.   I love how the wispy clouds look up there right now.               

        Nostradamus wrote, "When the child of Germany observes nothing;" which could be referring to how so many Germans were "willing to ignore" so much in order for Hitler to come to power?  Dawn's barking over there.   I can smell Blinky and Rosie standing next to her.            

           Well, back to my outline.  Daisy saw a tv show about the history of the "Telephone" and "Radio," which said in 1940 one "advantage" the Germans had in all of those early Blitzkrieg's  was having "radio communication" in their Tanks.  I can smell some new Spring Creosote.               

      AMERICAN SRC-536 (W.W.II)                 "TELEPHONE"              GERMAN RADIO UNIT (W.W.II)        

                 ("WALKIE TALKIE")                                                                                                  ("FORWARD" UNITS)                            

        

          One time our boss and his dad talked about a Second World War Radio called a "Walkie Talkie."  Mr. Steve joked, in a way; it was the first phone you "held in your hand while carrying it around" with you.  The tv show said how it was kind of heavy, weighing about five pounds.      

          Mr. Steve's father read the Walkie Talkie was "developed" by "Motorola" in 1940, a year before the U.S. "entered" World War II.  He read another nickname for it was "Handy Talkie."  During the Korean War Mr. Steve's father used a "smaller version" of the Walkie Talkie.             

          What Germany did back in 1940 was "kind of like a one sided Mike Tyson fight" Mr. Cliff joked.  Yesterday in book one I wrote about how, back in 1988; Mr. Steve met and took pictures of that guy Mike Tyson.  He was friendly but Daisy says in his fights he seems sort of mean.                     

MIKE TYSON      

                    

            Daisy says Mr. Gary, the Barber in San Fernando; said early in his career Mike Tyson often "steamrolled" over his  opponents.  "Not only was he stronger," he was "also much faster  and quicker too" Mr. Gary thinks.  The refreshing late morning air is again so clear today.           

           My Encyclopedia says on May 13, 1940 the German's "bypassed" the French Maginot Line "Bunkers" and, "before they knew It;" the Allied forces found Germans "In their Rear."    Dais says, in Chess; that's sort of like having an opponent "threaten your flank" or side.               

             Realizing the Germans had gone through the Ardennes forest, the Allied Generals knew they were in trouble, so ordered their Soldiers to "Retreat" fast to the coast.  But, then they were trapped on those beach's in a "Pocket" of one of those "Killing Zones."  Heathcliff crowed.                                                         

              "BLITZKRIEG" (MAY, 1940)               

                                          

          A good map shows how in 1940 the Germans "got behind" the Allied lines to "split" the French and British forces in two.  Retreating to the beaches of "Dunkirk," the northern section    got "trapped;" and usually in kill zone situations a "Bloodbath" happens.  Dawn's barking.         

        My Encyclopedia says in 1940 almost half a million French, British and Belgian Soldiers were "caught between a hammer and an anvil" and "cut off." The "chaotic" attempt to escape    to the English Channel coast took a few days.  I can see Libby walking around over there.             

           Dais says when our boss and Mr. Cliff talked about what happened back in 1940 she heard Mr. Cliff say how the giant cannons in the Maginot Line could only point in one direction.  They  were "Set in Stone" so to speak.  The Germans  avoided attacking it directly from the front.         

                

"FALL OF SINGATORE" / BRITISH SURRENDER  (1942)

           

           I'll write about 1942 later today, which is two years after what I'm writing about now.  In 1942 "Imperial" Japan was in that "Tripartite Axis" alliance with Germany and Italy.  In early  1942 they used their own Asian version of Blitzkrieg to conquer "huge swaths" of territory.        

          One coastal city the Japanese took in 1942 was "Singapore" in "Southeast Asia," a colony of England and like the Maginot Line; had big cannons.  Unfortunately, just like the Maginot      Line; those giant cannons were "Set" and facing in the wrong direction.  I smell Juniper.              

           Mr. Steve says in 1942 many British thought of the Japanese, and all "Orientals;" as being "inferior."  Many were short and "near-sighted" so it was thought they wouldn't be very good    Soldiers.  Wow!  I guess the British didn't believe the history of those "Samurai" Warriors?                                                        

                  "GREAT BRITAIN"                         

         

        Mr. Phillip from Wales thinks, "exploiting" the "Industrial Revolution;" by the late 19th century the British "Royal" Navy "allowed an island" in Europe to "dominate" much of the        world.  This gave them a "sense of superiority."  Two of the Pigeons are flying to the east.             

        In 1942 the British thought Singapore "couldn't be attacked from the rear," so all the big cannons "planted" in cement were pointed toward the Ocean.  But I guess the Japanese landed    to the north of Singapore, rode Bicycles southward; to "hit" the city from land.  I smell Sage.      

        Like the Germans had done in 1940, the Japanese cut through thick jungles so, "80,000" Allied Soldiers in Singapore had to surrender.  Winston Churchill called it, "the worst disaster    in British military history."  Two Crows are fighting over something out in the back desert.                                                                                     EVOLUTION OF THE "UNION JACK" FLAG

          

         Oh!  This seems like a good spot to talk about how the British "Union Jack" national flag came about.  I was supposed to write about it yesterday but it was one of the subjects I somehow missed on my long book one outline.  Samson and Delilah are flying toward the northwest.           

         I love when images go along with the text, diagrams or charts because it makes things so much easier to understand things.  My Encyclopedia shows how the flags of England, Scotland,    and Ireland were "combined."  Since 1801 the Union Jack has been "Britain's" official flag.        

            Dais says Mr. Phillip said the Union Jack combined England's original white and red flag with St. George's cross on it, with Scotland's blue flag with St. Andrew's cross.  Later, the Irish    flag with St. Patrick's cross was added.   For some reason I just thought of metal helmets.               

HELMET  

         PHOTO BY SHILOH STRONG                                                                                                                                                                                              

        

          The helmets the British wore in the photos of their surrender at Singapore makes me think of a 1990's band from New York City called HELMET.  Daisy says our boss has only heard a few of their songs but can tell they're talented Musicians.  A flock of Birds is now flying bye.               

        Daisy says our boss's customer up there in Oregon told him about that band HELMET.   I guess the Singer, who writes all of the songs and plays guitar; is originally from Oregon.  They're described by that Parts Manager as being "heavy alternative metal" Daisy heard him say.            

         HELMET uses "unusual time signatures" and "Drop D Tuning" that Parts Manager said.  He plays bass himself, and used words like "syncopated," and "staccato" or "minor key" when talking about their songs.  There are two crisscrossed vapor trails way up there in the sky.            

          

MR. RICHIE      

           

         I've mentioned a few times how Mr. Steve's Niece Stephanie's boyfriend Rich, who a lot of people call Richie; was in a band called DRAGPIPE.  They made an album in 2002, which Mr.    Rich says was influenced by HELMET.  Andy's over there alertly guarding their burrow.             

     According to what Daisy heard, the Parts Manager in Oregon said he thought HELMET influenced the sound of later bands like SYSTEM OF A DOWN; and possibly KORN and even    PANTERA too.  Andy's now sniffing the air over there.  Helen's lucky to have him around.           

        If Mr. Steve ever has to go fight in a war Dais and I will of course go with him, and I'd want a good steel helmet like the ones he has in the house.  The German helmets seem like they'd give the most protection.  Boy!  Someone should really invent metal helmets for Dogs and Cats.                       

"LAWRENCE OF ARABIA"      

                  

        I just thought of how Mr. Steve likes movies with Charlton Heston and Peter O'Toole in them.  Daisy liked Peter O'Toole as "Lawrence of Arabia," which has Camels in it.  In 1985 our boss and sister Susan rode Camels at "Jericho" and say it's "not at all like riding a Horse."         

          Dais says, in the movie; T.E. Lawrence leads some Arabs over what was thought to be an "Impassable" desert.  It was like the Ardennes forest in 1940.  From the "rear," they caught the "Turkish-garrisoned" port city of "Aqaba" totally by surprise.  A Train whistled faintly.              

      Aqaba's "Fixed" cannons in the movie, like at Singapore in World War II; "faced" the Ocean where they thought any invasion would come.  Mr. Steve says in "real life" no cannons    were at Aqaba and it was "made up" for the movie.  Dais heard the phrase "creative license."                                                                    

       CHARLES DE GAULLE  (1890-1970)            

                                                      

         A picture shows that guy Charles de Gaulle standing in front of a World War I French Tank.  Wow!  I notice how the cannons on that Tank seem much smaller than the cannons you     see on Second World War German Panzer Tanks.  Donald and Daisy are now quacking.               

           Charles de Gaulle, after World War I; predicted "maneuver of armor" was the "way of the future;" and even wrote this book about it.  Mr. Steve says Hitler told Albert Speer he read    that book.  Charles de Gaulle, "Le Général;" after World War II became leader of France.          

         In 1940 the Allied Soldiers "fled" to the English Channel beaches, where the Germans trapped them.  "Fighting for time" like those 300 Spartans at Thermopylae, Charles de Gaulle    fought a "delaying rearguard action," holding off the "rampaging" Germans.  I smell Sage.         

            

 WORLD WAR I (1814-1818)      

          

            I'm mainly scheduled to write about World War I tomorrow, but just thought of that "Battle of the Somme."  My Encyclopedia says it was one of the "bloodiest battles in history,"      with "over a million casualties."  Mr. Phillip read Adolph Hitler was wounded in that battle.       

             That giant battle near the "Somme" River was the first time Tanks were ever used, but they were "slow and undependable."  The Battle of the Somme was from July 1, 1916 through    November, with three million Soldiers from both sides "engaged."  I smell Andy over there.         

          1916 was the third year of the First World War.  By then, on "Mainland" Europe; the modern technology like "Machine Guns" could kill more men so created a "Gridlock" or what they call a "Stalemate."  Both  sides were totally stuck in those "disease-ridden" trenches.                                        

"BATTLE OF THE SOMME" (JULY-NOVEMBER, 1916)

      

           A map in this one Encyclopedia shows what happened in 1916 during the four month long Battle of the Somme.  The British and French forces "took the offense" and tried to overrun the "well-entrenched" Germans.  Ah!  I just picked up the scent of a Lizard somewhere nearby.         

         Oh wow!  It says here, on the first day of the Battle of the Somme; the British "sustained" about sixty thousand casualties.  As I've mentioned before, that means killed and wounded; but  their French allies and German opponents also lost a lot men too.  I now see the Lizard.                

        In 1916 another huge battle was being fought at a place called "Verdun," and in that big battle Charles de Gaulle got stabbed in the leg by a bayonet; then was captured.  Daisy says our  boss's dad met a man who said he tried to escape a few times.  But he was always caught.              

                                                       

    J.R.R. TOLKIEN (1892-1973)                      "NAZGÛLS" (RINGWRAITHS)     

              

           I just thought of that morning when, as he watered the trees; our boss told Miss Susan that Writer J.R.R. Tolkien fought the Germans at the Battle of the Somme.  Mr. Steve thinks his combat experiences "had to have influenced" his writing.  The Lizard is standing on the wall.      

            One time Daisy and Millie watched this movie based on J.R.R. Tolkien's book "Lord of the Rings." Mr. Steve read much of it as a teenager.  He thinks the terrifying "screams" of the      "Nazgûl's" might've been just like the "shrieking" sounds of some "incoming" Artillery.              

             When I get over my fear of being trapped I hope to the Lord of the Rings movie because Dais says it's so good.  Those Nazgûls wear all black robes, ride all black Horses; and are called    "Ringwraiths" or "Dark Riders."  That little Lizard is over there now doing some pushups.                       

"LORD OF THE RINGS"

            Dais told me, in Lord of the Rings; the Nazgûls work for this evil "Dark Lord" named "Suaron."  They all live in a place called "Mordor," and want to conquer an area called "Middle Earth."  That guy Sauron is the actual person everyone calls Lord of the Ring Dais thinks.           

          My Encyclopedia says Tolkien's Lord of the Rings was a "trilogy" of three "volumes." Oh!  I wonder if Mr. Steve knows, the three parts of Lord of the Rings were "published" from    July of 1955 through October of 1957?   The Lizard ran down the wall and into the dirt.               

             It was in July of 1955 that Mr. Steve was born, his brother Rock's birthday is in October of 1957.  I just glanced up and see, and now hear; two Crows fighting over this dead Rabbit out    there behind the Sheds.  Oh!  One Crow stabbed the other with his beak so he flew away.                                              

 WORLD WAR I ARTILLERY "SHELL" 

          

        A picture shows Soldiers loading a big shell into a cannon.  The caption says "before" the Battle of the Somme, to "soften up" the German lines; the French and British fired a "million      and a half" shells at them.  Soften up just means to kill a lot of Germans before the attack.           

         Boy God!  It would be so terrible to have such big bullets, like the one in the photo; coming towards you.  Daisy told me how, if it landed on our house; it would be like a Tornado which left  nothing but ruins.  That Lizard is running past the new baby Cholla cactus over there.                  

     Smelling Creosote right now makes me think of those "Poppy" flowers.  There's a poem called "In Flanders Field," written in World War I; and symbolizing the idea that the Soldiers    deaths and "Sacrifices" were "Not in Vain" as they say.  Mr. Steve's mom read that poem.            

       

POPPY FIELD (LANCASTER, CALIFORNIA)                         HUELL HOWSER                          

PHOTO BY MIRIAM MONTES                                                                                                                                                                                       

     

          Yesterday I wrote about Huell Howser visiting the Spring Poppy fields northwest of us over here in Piñon Hills.  Daisy heard, after one World War I battle; a field "soaked in blood"    produced red instead of orange Poppy's.  Mr. Steve's parents like watching Huell Howser.            

            My Encyclopedia says that World War I poem was written after the 1915 "Second Battle of Ypres."  It says here "Flanders" is an area in "Belgium" where the city of "Ypres" is located.  Adolph Hitler fought in many of the biggest battles that took place in that region I guess.              

           Boy!  I sure hope there's never a war here in Piñon Hills.  At the "Battle of Stalingrad" the Russians "strapped" bombs onto Dogs and then blew them  up underneath the German Tanks.  Ah!  That would be so bad but, to protect Mr. Steve; Daisy and I would probably do it too.           

                                       

    HEINZ GUDERIAN (1888-1954)                       ERWIN ROMMEL (1891-1944)          

              

         Well, back to 1940 when; Heinz Guderian and Erwin Rommel used Tanks to "Flank" the Allies.   I mentioned earlier how, just like in the game of Chess; that's really bad.  If an army can get behind its enemy in a battle, like in 1940; a "Kill Zone Pocket" can possibly be created.          

          Our family has three birthdays in the month of "November," Mr. Steve's Niece Samantha, his Nephew's Sammy Jr. and Rocky Jr. too.  Erwin Rommel, and that Painter Georgia O'Keefe;  have birthdays on the 15th just like Samantha.  Mr. Mark was born on November 15th too.          

           My right nostril just now picked up the scent of that new baby Cholla cactus growing over there in the dirt.  Oh!  Bravo Company of Quail is now streaming out into the back desert, and    using the right vertical slot on the side of the gate to get there.  Boy!  I feel so good right now!                            

                    MARK / WIFE KIM                   SAM'S FAMILY (SAMMY JR. ON LEFT)        ROCKY JR. / MISS AMBER                                                                                 

             It's interesting to me how Mr. Mark in Hawaii was also born on November the 15th like Mr. Steve's Niece Samantha.  His Nephew's Sammy Jr. in Littlerock, and also Rocky Jr. over in  Texas; were born on the 18th and 26th "Respectively."  A Train whistled faintly to my left.           

          Even though I'm not scheduled to write about the subject of "Land Mines" until I learn about what Erwin Rommel did in "North Africa" in 1941 and 1942, I just thought of it now too.  Dawn's barking.  Smelling her, and Blinky and Rosie over there; makes me feel so good.               

          This Encyclopedia says a Land Mine is, "A hidden explosive device, often concealed by being buried in the ground."  It's an "anti-personnel weapon" intended to "destroy or disable."  Anti-personnel is just a "nicer way of saying to kill or maim" people Daisy told me that time.                                   

"LAND MINES"                                      UNCLE MARTY         

                                          

           A picture in my Encyclopedia shows Land Mines sitting on top of the ground.  If you step on them they explode.  Yesterday, I mentioned how Mr. Steve's Uncle Marty was a "Medic" in    the "Vietnam War;" where Land Mines and those "Booby Traps" were used against us.               

         In mid-941, after France fell; Erwin Rommel was sent down to North Africa to help the Italians fight the British.  And during that "Campaign" his "Afrika Korps," and also the British too; buried thousands of Land Mines in the desert sand.  Andy's looking at me over here.             

         Daisy heard Mr. Phillip say he met a guy who told him his Grandfather "lost a foot" to a Land Mine near this place in North Africa called "El Alamein."  We heard Mr. Cliff say, over in Vietnam the "Viet Cong" were "ingenious" at setting up Booby Traps.  Dawn's barking.                                                                                    VIETNAM                                        GENERAL VÕ NGUYÊN GIÁP (1911-2013)                                                                  

       I just thought of that guy General Giáp, the "Mastermind" behind the effective "strategy and tactics" used by the North Vietnamese against America during the Vietnam War.  He, and      this other guy named Ho Chi Minh; were the leaders.  Oh!  A Garter Snake crawled bye.              

       This Encyclopedia says how General Giáp was "resourceful and innovative" in beating the French in the 1950's, and the Americans in the 1960's.  He knew his Communist Viet Cong forces had no chance fighting a "Set Piece" or "Conventional" war.  He was a "Guerrilla" fighter.         

      As I've said before about Guerrilla wars, the "Element of Surprise" and "Ability to Blend" in with the society are so important.   Going underground in tunnels, and using those "Hit and      Run" tactics; were so frustrating for the Americans in the 1960's.  Heathcliff just crowed. 

   

SUN TZU (c.544-c.496 B.C.)  

   

         That guy General Giáp probably knew the Sun Tzu quote here in my Encyclopedia, "The supreme art of war is to subdue the enemy without fighting."  Wow!  It's no wonder his famous  book is called the "The Art of War."  A small flock of Birds is going towards the northeast.           

        Mr. Steve's father thinks General Giáp was "smart like a Fox" so would like this quote of his, "We will fight the enemy with our cunning and make them die in their anger."  He said that in the 1960's and wanted to frustrate and anger the Americans who had every advantage.             

       The North Vietnamese and Viet Cong built totally "ingenious" Booby Traps, using things like "Grenades" or sharpened bamboo spikes.  That's what Mr. Steve's Uncle Marty, a "Medic" in the Vietnam War; told people.  General Giáp wanted to "sew fear and uncertainty."                           

                          WEDDING (JULY, 1981)                 PRINCESS DIANA                ANGOLA (1997)                                               PHOTO BY HULTON ROYALS COLLECTION                          (1961-1997)                                           PHOTO BY TIM GRAHAM                                                                             

     

            Dais and Millie saw a tv show about Britain's "House of Windsor," the current name of the family now ruling the U.K.  That girl "Princess" Diana, wearing a "long dress;" married the  "Prince of Wales" in a huge and fancy wedding Dais told me.  Libby just now whinnied.               

            Our boss told Mr. Phillip he built and painted one of those miniature "Figurines" of the  British "Cavalryman" like the ones at Princess Diana's wedding.  Daisy liked their red uniforms and shiny silver helmets.  I guess Princess Diana "Advocated" getting rid of "Land Mines."         

         I remember when Mr. Steve sold things to that nice lady from "Nigeria," who told him about someone she knew who lost both legs to a land mine.  She mentioned Princess Diana and a  twenty year long civil war in "Angola."   Some Crows are fighting out there in the desert.             

                              

    QUEEN VICTORIA (1819-1901)            KING EDWARD VII (1841-1910)         

                                                                                                                                      PAINTING BY S. BEGG                

                        

          Queen Victoria married Prince Albert; so England and Germany were friends for a while.  But, Germany became a country in 1877; and after that was a "Competitor."  Queen Victoria's birthday, May the 24th; is also Mr. Steve's parents wedding anniversary.  I smell Mesquite.          

         When Queen Victoria and Prince Albert's son Edward became King in 1901 the monarchy, or "reigning royal house;" became known as the German "House of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha."    Oh!  Two Birds are fighting on top of Moe the middle Shed.  They look like boy Sparrows.           

     Naturally Dais says, during World War I; the British Monarchy had to "exchange" their German name for a more English sounding one like "Windsor.  Heathcliff just crowed over there and I can also hear his Hens clucking away.  They all sound so happy and make me feel good.                                                       

"BLUE-FOOTED" BOOBY ("GALÁPAGOS" ISLANDS)

    

           Even though I'm not scheduled to write about "I.E.D.'S" until tomorrow in book three, I feel like mentioning here where the term "Booby Trap" came from.  Dais says our boss's Uncle    Marty, having been a Medic; knew a lot about that subject.  Two of the Pigeons are flying bye.     

         Daisy says Mr. Ralph said "bobo" means "stupid" or "foolish" in Spanish and, since the 16th century; these Sea Birds called "Boobies" would fly in and land on Spanish Ships.  So they were easy to kill and then eat.  I.E.D. is just short for an "Improvised Explosive Device."           

         Before dying Mark Ritter visited the "Galápagos Islands" like Charles Darwin did in the 19th century.  He saw "Blue-Footed Boobies who, from high in the air; dive down like a Stuka      Plane to catch Fish in the Ocean.  They can go sixty miles per hour and can dive to eighty feet.     

                                                         

  CHARLTON HESTON      CHARLES GORDON 

                    

         Yesterday I wrote about that good movie Daisy saw called "Khartoum."  In it Charlton Heston played the part of 19th century Englishman Charles "Chinese" Gordon.  Mr. Steve and Mr. Phillip over the years have talked about what an amazing life Charles Gordon lived.              

           Dais says, in a scene from the movie Khartoum; Gordon sets up a field of land mines like the first "known" Chinese land mines used way back in the 13th century A.D.   They had long      "Fuses" on them so Gordon "timed" when to "light and detonate" them.  I smell Mesquite.        

          Mr. Phillip read what it says in this Encyclopedia, in what is now "Italy" land mines were first used in Europe during the 1500's.  In the American Civil War, General Sherman hated land  mines so made prisoners dig them and and get blown up if necessary.  Heathcliff crowed.                                                

                    C.S.A.             WILLIAM WING LORING       POST WAR EGYPT                

(1818-1886)        

              

          I just thought of William Wing Loring, who Mr. Steve studied at C.S.U.N.    He was from "St. Augustine," Florida, where our boss and Mr. Armando drove on "Cordova" Street.   He was a Soldier for fifty years, and was born on December the 4th like our boss's Niece Stephanie.         

          Loring lost his left arm in the Mexican War, but was a "Confederate"  General during the Civil War.  Our boss told Mr. Hussein after that he was hired by Egypt's "Khedive," in 1876 he    and Charles Gordon fought for Egypt in the "Abyssinian War."   A Train whistled faintly.            

         As I've said before, "Abyssinia" is now called "Ethiopia."  1876 was the same year George Armstrong Custer, and his "7th Cavalry;" were slaughtered by the "Lakota," "Cheyanne" and   "Arapaho" Indians in America.   The four Pigeons are flying toward the northeast right now.              

           ANTHONY BOURDAIN                                                  AFRICA                                

          

         Daisy says in one of Anthony Bourdain's travel food segments to Ethiopia, he mentioned how there has been much poverty and starvation there; but now the economy seems to be getting better.  Our boss's Niece Stephanie, and Mr. Rich too; like Anthony Bourdain's tv show.                

          At his Sylmar coffee shop Mr. Hussein, who's from Egypt; said in Ethiopia they put salt in coffee instead of sugar.  At times in Egypt and Ethiopia you use fingers to take food from tray in the middle of the table.  I've mentioned before how people think Mr. Mark looks Ethiopian.         

         Mr. Steve says he'd feel "uncomfortable" having someone "put" food in his mouth, even if it is a "Sign of Respect" in Ethiopia.  Goliath is crawling through the left gate slot to go out into the back field, with Andy watching him closely.  Well, back to learning about World War II.      

                                            

         "BATTLE OF THE ATLANTIC"            

                        

        When the Second World War began in 1939 the German "Kriegsmarine" Navy began to sink any Ship carrying food and supplies to England.  Winston Churchill called it the "Battle of  the  Atlantic" Ocean.  Two Crows are cawing and fighting way out there in the eastern desert.     

         Dais heard our boss's dad mention how he read Winston Churchill said the sinking of the supply Ships caused him "sleepless nights."  He was afraid German Submarines would "starve" England to death.  When I was living homeless out that field I was starving sometimes.                 

     This Encyclopedia says, once the U.S. "officially entered the war" in December of 1941; President Roosevelt "ordered" thousands of those "Liberty" or "Victory" cargo Ships be built.   From my right the scent of that clump of Joshua trees near Libby's Corral floated in to me.        

                        

   "S.S. WILLIAM W. LORING" LIBERTY SHIP         

                         

         Boy!  I just thought of how, one of those Liberty Ship that took supplies to England in World War II was named after William Wing Loring; and it wasn't sunk.  Daisy saw this Huell    Howser segment about now "De-Commissioned" Liberty Ships in California.  I smell Dawn.        

             Mr. Phillip was told by a World War II Veteran the Atlantic Ocean is so cold, if you have to "Abandon Ship" and jump in the water; you "froze to death" quickly.  In 1942 Miss Sandy's    father had to jump into the "Pacific" Ocean but that was warm water.  I really like Dawn.          

            Daisy thinks Miss Sandy's dad must have been brave, with big bullets being shot at you;  to be a "Gunner" at the "Battle of the Coral Sea."  His Ship the "U.S.S. Lexington" being sunk, he had to jump down into the water.  Oh!  I would be afraid of being eaten by some Sharks.                              

        "CORVETTE" BOAT                                      HARLEY EARL (1893-1969)       

    

         In book one yesterday I wrote a little bit about that man Harley Earl, the "Designer" of Cars for "General Motors;" one being the "Corvette" made for his son the Race Car Driver.        Cher the Cat, a dead Mouse in her mouth; just jumped up on Moe's roof.  I smell Sage.                 

           This one Encyclopedia says how Harley Earl named his Car after World War II "Escort" Warships which protected Liberty Ships.  Dais says the name Corvette is French, and our boss      drew some Corvette logos.  He's also drawn a few different "Fleur de Lis" emblems too.             

         Mr. Steve's father thinks Liberty Ships symbolize "U.S. Industrial capacity," because it only took two months to build each one.  Anyway, it's back to writing about 1940 when Germany conquered France.  When the Germans "got behind them," the Allies had to try to escape.           

                   

      "DUNKIRK EVACUATION" (FRANCE / 1940)    

                                

           Wow!  A picture shows the "chaos" of the "surviving" Allied Soldiers "trapped" on the French beaches of "Dunkirk," trying to escape back over to England.  The Germans had totally  "outmaneuvered" them in 1940.  I hear the crunching bones as Cher eats that one Mouse.            

           "Surprisingly" our boss says, when they had the Allied Soldiers "At their Mercy" on the beaches; those Panzer Tanks were "Ordered to Halt."  The German forces waited for two whole days, "allowing over 300,000 men to escape."  Hey God!  Was it You who caused that delay?        

            Then it rained, so the Allies had a third day to evacuate men but, they had to "abandon" tons of equipment in France; and many Soldiers were captured anyway.  But, at least those who got back to England "Live to Fight Another Day."   I wonder if Dogs were at Dunkirk?"                       

                    "STUKA" DIVE BOMBER                      

                        

          Even though those 300,000 Soldiers were "saved" in 1940, many men were killed on the beaches by diving "Stuka" bombers.  "Exposed and vulnerable sitting ducks" is how Mr. Randy  described it.  Boy!  Even Winston Churchill called Dunkirk a "colossal military disaster."             

           It says here Winston Churchill became England's "Prime Minister" in May 1940, so had "no time to celebrate."  Faced with "calamitous catastrophe," he ordered even all smaller Boats  to sail from England and go rescue the trapped Soldiers.   Cher's grooming herself on Moe.          

        George Washington, in the "dead of night" or "cover of darkness;" evacuated his army from "Long Island" to "Manhattan" in New York City.  He tricked the British, who were about to slaughter his troops in the morning; escaping across the "East River."  I like Cher's scent.                                       

  "REVOLUTIONARY" WAR (1775-1783)

       ("CROSSING THE DELAWARE")         

                 PAINTING BY EMANUEL LEUTZE                              

                       

         Hey God!  Did You help George Washington save his army in August of 1776, and then in December at the "Battle of Trenton;" where he crossed the "Delaware" River in a Winter sneak attack on those German's.  Mr. Steve's parents saw the painting of that event Daisy heard.          

          I wonder if Mr. Steve knows this?  It says here Thomas Jefferson wrote the "Declaration of Independence" in 1776, and then George Washington read it to  his Soldiers on July 9th; which    just happens to be his birthday too.  Boy! I sure do wish I knew what my birthday was.                 

       The evacuation at Dunkirk in 1940 is now called the "Miracle of Dunkirk," but it's official name was "Operation Dynamo."  It would be so scary to be unprotected, while being "strafed"    by Planes "as you desperately try to escape Dais thinks.   You could be killed at any second.                   

2014 FORD "ESCAPE"

           

         Writing about escaping armies reminds me of how Daisy heard there's a Car made by "Ford" called the "Escape."  Miss Babette's customer one time described it as being a "compact  crossover" Sports Utility Vehicle.  Compact is just another way of saying "small" Dais says.         

            Miss Babette's customer said the Escape has "been around" since the year 2000.  I guess, from what Daisy heard; it has five doors on it and the motor is up in the front end of the Car.  I    can see, and now smell; Libby carefully walking around slowly over there in her Corral.               

          In 2005 some cities, like New York City for example; began using "Hybrid" Escape's as Taxicabs I guess.  Daisy told me how hybrid means a Car that can be powered by either gas or      electricity.  I've mentioned before how Mr. Steve moved up here to Piñon Hills in late 2005.                                                   

"DUNKIRK" EVACUATION (OPERATION "DYNAMO" / JUNE, 1940)       

                                                                                                                                         PAINTING BY CHARLES ERNEST CUNDALL             

      

         Boy!  Maps are so great, and this one shows the "Routes" Boats used to get the rescued Allied Soldiers back over to England.  A good painting shows what the caption calls the "chaos    and death" of a possible "kill zone" on Dunkirk's beaches.  Frida and Diego just flew bye.            

             I guess, according to the map not only did the trapped Soldiers on the beaches have to be aware of the Planes trying to kill them; the rescue Boats also had to worry about some U-Boat      Submarines, Mines and Artillery from the French mainland.  They "Ran the Gauntlet."               

          Mr. Steve's father thinks, because most things are dual in nature; Blitzkrieg warfare was not perfect.  In 1940 the fast-moving German troops "Outran" their own "Supply Line."  And    that was one reason the "Wehrmacht" was ordered to stop just east of Dunkirk's beaches.                            

ADOLPH HITLER / HERMAN GÖRING (1940)

             

          A picture from 1940 shows that guy Herman Göring, as head of the German "Luftwaffe" Air Force; walking alongside Hitler.  They look confident because of how things were going in      the war.  The sky is beautiful right now, and I see Cher over there sleeping on top of Moe.            

        The German troops at Dunkirk were ordered to "halt to refit."  Göring believed, and told Hitler; his Planes alone could kill all the Allied Soldiers so they didn't have to use the Tanks and other "mechanized Resources" But, he didn't realize that all those small Boats were coming.       

        In chapter three I wrote about how, during the American Civil War; both General's Grant and Sherman led Union armies "In the Field" who cut off supply lines to "Live off the Land."      This was a really big gamble, but in both cased it worked out okay.   I smell some Creosote.                                                      

     GENERAL LEO MARQUEZ U.S.A.F. (1932-2011)           "WAR HEROES MEMORIAL"                                                                                                       PHOTO BY STEVE CÓRDOVA

        

        Mr. Steve's dad's lifelong friend General Marquez was also born in 1932 and graduated from Belén High School in 1949.  It was his through influence the "T-33" Jet was "Acquired" for use at the "War Heroes Memorial" back there in New Mexico.  Boy!  Spring smells so good.         

         General Marquez's "Organizational" skills were recognized, and used in the  Air Force's "Logistics and Maintenance" division; getting supplies, equipment and food to military units.      He and Mr. Steve talked about the Civil War and also 1940 too.  Andy's sniffing the air.             

       I've mentioned how General Marquez and our boss's dad have in common wives named "Stella" with whom they had five children.   Another name for someone who does what General Marquez did was "Quartermaster."   A little Bird with a twig in its mouth just now ran bye.                               

NAPOLÉON BONAPARTE (1769-1821)

        

           I just thought of the famous quote "Attributed" to Napoléon about how an army "Lives off of its stomach."  General Marquez said some people think that quote was actually made by    "Frederick the Great" of "Prussia."  Frida and Diego just now flew over Libby's Corral.             

         Daisy says our boss and his dad think another reason Hitler, who was usually aggressive; might've ordered his Soldiers to stop at Dunkirk is because they were tired.  It says here Herman Göring told him his Planes could "simply mop up" the Allied Soldiers.  But he was wrong.          

         Back in 1940 even smaller Fishing Boats sailed over from England to "salvage" or rescue those 300,000 Soldiers.  In "The long Run," what all those small Boats did turned out to be very  important in the Allies ending up winning the war five years later.  I smell Cher over there.                                        

     HEINZ GUDERIAN (1888-1954)      

             

             Even though a lot of Allied Soldiers were killed or captured at Dunkirk, Mr. Steve's dad read Heinz Guderian said years later the decision to not "annihilate" them on the beaches came back to "haunt" the Germans.  Dawn's barking over there.  I smell Blinky and Rosie too.             

           I mentioned earlier how an "Advantage" German Tanks had in 1940 was they already had "Radio Communication."  Mr. Steve's father thinks it was "no accident" Heinz Guderian      was a "Signals Officer."  But, at Dunkirk in 1940 the Germans let the Allies "Off the Hook."       

        What those small Fishing Boats did in 1940, by "ferrying" Soldiers across the English Channel to England; "took a lot of courage" Mr. Steve's father thinks.  They had no cannons to shoot back, and "could've easily been blown to bits."  But it was such a huge emergency.                         

CAMEL 

  

         Daisy told me our boss and his girlfriend Sandy, they're friend Chris and his girlfriend; saw a concert by a British band called CAMEL.  That was in the mid-1970's at the Whisky a Go Go Nightclub in Hollywood.  I just noticed that Cher in not up there on Moe's roof anymore.       

          Our boss told Mr. Rich CAMEL are "Progressive" Rock, their song "White Rider" based on J.R.R. Tolkien's "Lord of the Rings."  Their other song is about that 1940 evacuation of the    Dunkirk beaches.  Whew!  Pigpen is looking at me and I smell him before seeing him.               

          I just thought of the English band MARILLION, who in the late 1980's Miss Harriet was assigned by Music Connection Magazine to review.  I guess, Mr. Steve later heard their music is  influenced by CAMEL.  Their name was based on Tolkien's book called "The Silmarillion."        

                      

                 EMPEROR                   NAPOLÉON I         "CROWNING HIMSELF"            

PAINTINGS BY JACQUES-LOUIS DAVID            

      

        Mr. Steve's father read Will and Ariel Durant's book about Napoléon Bonaparte, who he thinks became way too "cocky" because of all of the battles he won.  In that way he and Hitler    were "similar."  Wow!  That painting shows Napoléon putting a crown on his own head.             

          I've mentioned how Mr. Steve and his dad think in World War II Adolph Hitler made two huge "Strategic" mistakes.  In 1941, only four days after "Pearl Harbor;" he "Declared War"    on the U.S. when he didn't have to so soon.  Bit he wanted to support his ally Japan I guess.          

       Hitler's other major "Miscalculation" was made in June of 1941.  He wrongly thought he could Blitzkrieg Stalin's Soviet Union.  His "overconfidence and even arrogance" were equal to    that shown by Napoléon in his totally" disastrous" attack on Russia about a century earlier.                          

          NAPOLEON FLEES RUSSIA (1814)                       BERLIN (APRIL, 1945)                                  PAINTING BY ERNEST MEISSONIER                                                                                         

                                  

          I've mentioned how Hitler and Stalin "Made a Deal" to conquer Poland in 1939, so were allies until 1941 when Germany invaded Russia.  And for Hitler it turned out to be just as bad a    mistake" as what Napoléon made.   A picture shows what happened to Germany in 1945.              

           That painting of Napoléon leading his "retreating but surviving" troops back to France in 1814 shows how cold it was.  He's warming his right hand by putting it inside of his coat I notice, and it looks like the dirt roads are so "dangerously slippery mud."  Heathcliff just crowed.           

          Because many things in life are dual in nature, Blitzkrieg type warfare can have two sides; the good at the beginning but possible bad at the end if "unanticipated" things come up as Mr.    Steve's dad sometimes says.  Heathcliff's Hens seem so happy again today.  And I'm happy!          

  

BLITZKRIEG                                                           METALLICA  

                 

           Daisy heard our boss tell Mr. Rich about an English band called BLITZKRIEG.  They had an actual song named "Blitzkrieg," which METALLICA "Covered" in the early 1980's.        Even though Pigpen the Gopher is now long gone, in my mind; I can still kind of smell him.         

             One time, in Mr. Steve's bedroom; Dais and Millie watched a Video METALLICA made to go along with their version of the song Blitzkrieg.  It's World War II images fit that song "so    good" Dais thinks.  Even though he smells bad, I still sort of like Pigpen's scent anyway.               

       Someday I want to hear METALLICA and RAMONES songs, like the one about that Sandman; or the RAMONES "Blitzkrieg Bop."  Mr. Rich, who played guitar in DRAGPIPE;      has been to that N.Y.C. Nightclub "CBGB'S.   A line of Ants is going bye on the Patio floor.                                

   FOCUS          

                 

          Over the years Mr. Steve has played people this 1970's song called "Hocus Pocus," by a band from the "Netherlands" called FOCUS.  Daisy and Millie heard our boss tell Mr. Rich he    and Sandy saw them play at the Whisky a Go Go.  Their Singer is "very unique" Dais thinks.      

          Daisy says Mr. Steve thinks BLITZKRIEG and METLLICA's Blitzkrieg songs sound to him like "heavier and faster" versions of Hokus Pokus's main "Melody."   FOCUS' Singer is so good at "Yodeling" and has "tremendous breath control" our boss says.  Heathcliff crowed.         

          Not only does FOCUS' Singer yodel, he plays the organ and whistles too; but it's his flute playing Dais thinks I would like.  FOCUS' other three Musicians are great too I guess.  Because Dawn and I like to howl as a good way to release energy, Dais jokes we should start a band.                                

               EUROPE                                            SWITZERLAND ("ZÜRICH")

        

         Daisy says yodel singing is associated with that country of "Switzerland," and not the Netherlands where FOCUS is from.  A map shows how Switzerland is in between Italy, France,    Germany and Austria.  Two of the Pigeons are now flying over Libby's Corral over there.             

             My Encyclopedia says the "region" now called Switzerland at one time was "composed" of small "Cantons."  I have this feeling a Canton might be kind of like those independent Greek  "City-States" of ancient Athens and Sparta, or Italian cities like "Florence."  I smell Sage.           

            You can tell in "Europe" Switzerland is so small, described as being "land-locked."  In a class in College Mr. Steve's mom met a nice "Swiss" lady, who Dais heard was also a really good Painter too.  They enjoyed studying together and became friends until that lady died I guess.               

                   RICK STEVES (SWITZERLAND)                    

  

          Daisy and Millie saw a Rick Steves episode where he traveled over to Switzerland, and a man yodeled like FOCUS.  He said Switzerland has three areas, those tall "Alps" mountains, the "Plateau;" and then the lower "Jura" mountain region.  Albert Einstein liked Switzerland.          

           It says here Switzerland has "towering" mountains, "deep" Lakes and "grassy" valleys. Dais liked how Switzerland has some Farms and small villages in it.  Rick Steves visited some of  them and Millie noticed, even though they have cold Winters; a lot of people keep Cows.              

           Oh!  No wonder the "Nation's" flag has a white cross on a red background.   Switzerland is the "birthplace" of that group the "Red Cross."  Daisy told me in Switzerland people play this huge and long "Horn"  Rick Steves called an "Alphorn."  Mr. Dave has read about them.                     

SWISS "ALPHORN"

                                   

          According to Dais, those Alphorns are used to signal other people far away; and even the Cows know what all the different sounds mean too.  That's sort of like how we know our boss's    whistles, which at times can mean food.  Eating is definitely one of our favorite things in life.        

         This one Encyclopedia says Alphorns, or "Alp Horns;" are "carved from wood.  Unlike a "Trumpet" which has "Valves," for the fingers to control the "Pitch;" Alphorns  are more like simple "Bugles."  Rick Steves, who knows a lot about music; mentioned that too I guess.               

          Mr. Steve thinks, like "Bagpipes;" Alphorns were most likely also used in warfare similar to how the ancient Romans used to do.  I've mentioned before how in battle flags and things like bagpipes were used to signal military maneuvers and raise morale.  A Duck is quacking.                                         

HANNIBAL "CROSSING THE ALPS"

(2ND "PUNIC" WAR / 218 B.C.)

ARTWORK BY ENGLISH SCHOOL

           Yesterday I wrote about how ancient Rome's biggest "Rival" was "Carthage," who were originally those "Phoenician" people I've mentioned before.  The Phoenicians were like the later  Vikings in being "Seafaring." I'll go back to writing about World War II in a few minutes.           

           The painting shows how during a very cold Winter in the "Second Punic War," that guy General Hannibal crossed an army over the Alps in order to totally surprise attack Rome in Italy itself.  He left from Spain and had those Elephants with him.  I can smell some Mesquite.              

            Once in Italy Hannibal won some huge battles, like the one at "Cannae" where his men killed over fifty thousand Roman Soldiers.  But eventually, in "The long Run;" Rome completely destroyed all of  Carthage's Mediterranean Sea empire.  Rome and Carthage had three wars.                                            

      "SWISS GUARDS"        

("VATICAN CITY / ROME)  

                       

        I guess the country of Switzerland began back in the 13th century when three of those Cantons formed a "Defensive" alliance.  Yesterday I wrote about how, even though Switzerland is known for its "Neutrality;" their Soldiers guard the Pope.  I just love their uniforms!                

           Switzerland became "independent" back in 1648, and it says here today it's one of those "Confederations;" like the South was during the American Civil War.  Boy!  It would be great to have a uniform and helmet like the ones the Pope's "Swiss Guards" wear.  Dawn's barking.         

         This man told our boss Switzerland has no "official" capitol but, "in reality;" the city of "Bern" is the "Center of Government."  I've mentioned before about how, in Latin; "De Jure"    means "In Law" while "De Facto" is "In Fact."  Napoléon crossed an army over the Alps.                                    

                        "KING'S GAMBIT"                       NAPOLÉON BONAPARTE (1769-1821)        

                                              (CHESS STRATEGY)                                                                    ("CROSSING THE ALPS")                                                                                                                                                                                         PAINTING BY JACQUES-LOUIS DAVID

                   

           Someday I want to learn how to play both of those "Board Games" called "Chess" and "Checkers."  Mr. Steve's dad read Napoléon was an aggressive Chess player, who at times used    an "Opening Strategy" in Chess called the "King's Gambit."  Heathcliff just now crowed.            

             I guess, the "Object" of Chess is to "Capture" the "Piece" called the "King." Each piece has strengths, the weakest being "Pawns;" which are like an army's "Infantry."  In Chess, the      player using the white pieces moves first.  A little Sparrow carrying a twig is running bye.           

          The King's Gambit is when the "White" player's first moves "Sacrifice" a few Pawns, in trying to "control" the "Center of the Board;" and also attack the "Black" player's King.  Daisy thinks it's kind of like Chess's version of Blitzkrieg.  I can smell Bonnie and Clyde's babies.                     

     AT S.F. MISSION                MR. RALPH                 WITH SON RORY       

PHOTOS BY STEVE CÓRDOVA

    

           Dais says our boss's dad and Nephew Dalton like to play Chess.  One time she heard Mr. Steve talking on the phone with Mr. Ralph about Chess, and I guess Mr. Ralph and his son Rory  both enjoy playing Chess too.  Bravo Company of Quail are going out in the back field.                 

        I'll bet Dais is right about how that Dog Mr. Peabody most likely is a really good Chess player.  It just seems like something he'd be good at because he's so smart about things in other    areas.  Bravo Company's blended scent just floated in to me sitting over here on Elvira.                

        Well, back to World War II.  In 1940, when Germany beat France; they also took those "Low" countries of the Netherlands and Belgium.  In Belgium they did it partly by using those guys who  jump out of Planes called "Paratroopers."  Some Robins are singing happily.                    

"EBAN-EMAEL" (MAY, 1940)

      

        In 1940 some German "Sky Divers" jumping out of "Gliders" without motors, caught everyone by surprise in taking a huge concrete fortress in Belgium called "Eban-Emael."  Like  France's Maginot Line, it was thought to be "Impregnable."   But everyone was wrong.                

          On those Gliders, the Germans floated in and landed right on top of Eban-Emael's roof; catching the Belgian Soldiers completely "Off Balance."  They never even thought such a thing    could happen, being hit from above.  Two of Pigeons just flew over the top of the house.                

          When France fell in 1940 that guy Charles de Gaulle escaped to England, where Winston Churchill told him to be the leader of a "Free French Government in Exile."  He said, "You are  the man with the destiny."  Heathcliff just crowed over there, which makes me feel good.                            

           GERMANS ENTERING PARIS                             SURRENDER RAIL CAR                                          (JUNE, 1940)                         

               

            My Encyclopedia says, in 1940; the World War II German Wehrmacht "accomplished" in a few weeks what the Kaiser's First World War armies couldn't do in four years.  France had  to surrender and let the Germans "occupy" their country.  "Wehrmacht" means "Army."           

           At the "official formal surrender ceremonies" Hitler "humiliated" the French, making them do it in the same Railroad Car used in 1918 when Germany "capitulated" in losing World War I.  From 1940 through 1944 the German's "occupied" France.  Heathcliff crowed.                 

             During the Second World War the Nazis "ruled" northern France, allowing the "Vichy" government" to have power in the south.  I guess it was sort of like when the ancient Romans,    under Emperor Augustus; "Lent Support" to King Herod.  I smell some Beavertail cactus.                                                  

     HITLER VISITS PARIS (JUNE, 1940)  

                

            The photo in this Encyclopedia shows Adolph Hitler in front of Paris's "Eiffel Tower,"  the caption saying Architect Albert Speer is on the left.  Daisy heard our boss's sister Susan has    been to France and got to visit the Eiffel Tower.   Blackbeard and Anne are now flying bye.           

              I'll be learning more about Albert Speer in these last two books.  I guess, from what Dais heard; our boss and his father have both read a book he wrote after the war.   Aha!  I knew I was smelling a Lizard and I just noticed it doing pushups on the wall near the sliding glass door.         

          Ah!  Up in the sky there are some thin wispy midday clouds.  That makes me think of a time last Summer when Daisy and I were smelling a Lizard while sitting here on Elvira looking    very similar clouds.  Oh!  And now Dawn and Blinky are also barking over there next door.                            

BRITISH DESTROY FRENCH FLEET   

        (JULY, 1940 / MERS-El-KÉBIR, ALGERIA)          

                              

           After France surrendered, Winston Churchill's British Government demanded all of the French "Mediterranean Sea" Navy be given up to the Allies.  They were worried the Germans    would get those Warships.  The Lizard ran down the wall and went behind the water bucket.       

          Mr. Steve's dad thinks it "ironic" the first World War II naval battle, or "clash of battle fleets;" was when the French "refused to surrender" their Ships in "Algeria" on North Africa's  coast.  So the British Navy killed over one thousand of the French Sailors.  I smell Sage.                

          One of the British Battleships who destroyed the French fleet was "H.M.S. Hood," which itself was later "Blow to Bits" by the giant German Battleship "Bismarck."  I guess, some of the French "retaliated" by attacking a British base at "Gibraltar," Spain.  Sage smells so good.                                           

    NAPOLÉON III (1808-1873) / OTTO VON BISMARCK (1815-1898)     

PAINTING BY WILHELM CAMPHAUSEN     

                          

          1940 was not the first time Germany beat France in a war.   In 1870, five years after the American Civil War; Otto von Bismarck's "coalition" of German "States" beat Napoléon III's    French army and captured 300,000 men.  Samson and Delilah are flying towards the east.            

         On September 2nd of 1871 the "Franco-Prussian War" ended, and that painting shows "Bismarck" with Napoléon III afterward.  Like Adolph Hitler, Napoléon III was born on April    the 20th; and Miss Maria's birthday is September 2 as well.  A Train whistled faintly.                    

           Mr. Steve's father thinks Bismarck, like President Polk before the Mexican War; "Lured" France into a war it could never win.  Mr. Steve has this "Spiked" helmet like the one Bismarck has in the painting.  He also has a few "Kepi" type hats like what Napoleon III is wearing.           

BENJAMIN

       

          I glanced up to see Benjamin the black Cow Bird standing on a branch of the Mulberry tree.  Mr. Ramon the Auto Mechanic likes Cow Birds because his favorite color is orange, like      their eyes.  Both Daisy and I have at times wondered if Benjamin is a boy or a girl Cow Bird.       

         Well, back to writing about World War II again.  After France's "devastating" defeat in 1940, the only "unconquered" country left in "Western" Europe was England.  But Charles de    Gaulle made it over to England and was able to establish that "Free French" government.           

        Daisy heard, after France was conquered Hitler hoped the British might want to become Germany's ally.  Some did, but not Winston Churchill; so then Hitler decided he would have to    conquer England too.  Benjamin jumped down, and is running out into the eastern desert.            

         

PRE-20TH CENTURY "INVASIONS" OF ENGLAND     

         

             It's so great when a map goes along with the text in these Encyclopedias.  One map shows how, over the centuries; people like the Vikings or William the Conqueror in 1066 A.D. invaded  England.  I'll find out a lot more about all of those different invasions over the next three days.    

            When it "became obvious" to Hitler England would not "negotiate for peace," he told his military to prepare an "invasion plan."  Daisy told me our boss has this book in his office about "Operation Sea Lion."  That was what the German's ended up calling that plan I guess.               

           Daisy heard, in 1940 Hitler thought, based on England's history of "Anti-Semitism;" they would be his "Natural Ally."  He was even willing to let them them "keep" their huge Colonial    Empire all over the whole world.  I can hear some Wrens chirping out in the eastern desert.         

     

       WINSTON CHURCHIL "REVIEWING" TROOPS (1940)

   

          Pictures show that guy Winston Churchill "reviewing" British troops in 1940, and I like his hats.  He thought Germany would "inevitably" invade so, even the older men and young boys would have to fight "with pitchforks if necessary" he said.  Mr. Steve has two pitchforks.              

        One time Daisy and Millie were in the living room and saw a tv show about the German "Luftwaffe" in World War II.  It said one of the "best" Pilots in the war was Adolph Galland,      one of those "Ace" who shot down a lot of Allied Planes.  Frida and Diego are flying bye.              

          According to what that guy Adolph Galland said on the tv show, Hitler really didn't want to keep on fighting England after beating France in 1940.  What he preferred to do was go attack his then ally Joseph Stalin's Soviet Union.  Ah!  Dawn and Blinky are barking over there.                                                            

ADOLPH GALLAND (1912-1996)

        This picture of Adolph Galland shows him petting his Dog, who is closing its eyes like Dais does when our boss pets her.  Wow!  The caption says Adolph Galland "shot down" one hundred and four Allied Planes!  I can smell that one older Sage plant right behind the three Sheds.           

          It says here, after Germany lost World War I in 1918; they were then "forbidden" to have a "military" Air Force.  So, in the 1920's; young boys like Adolph Galland flew "Glider" Planes instead.  I mentioned the Germans used Gliders to take that Belgian Fort of "Eban-Emael."        

        Daisy says Mark Ritter knew about Gliders, and thought it's "easier" for Glider Pilots to "convert" to Planes with motors.  And, that's what they did once Hitler "Came to Power;" and    "Openly Defied" the "Treaty of Versailles" which ended World War I.  I can smell Juniper.          

                    

   ROBIN OLDS JR. (1922-2007)    

                

         Oh!  Yesterday I forgot to write about a guy named Robin Olds Jr., who Dais says was a "Jet" Fighter Pilot during the Vietnam War; and wore a "Handlebar" mustaches like Hitler did in World War I.  He even had a handlebar mustache painted on the nose of his Jet Plane.              

          Dais says a tv show said Robin Olds Jr., like his father; became a General.  It says here in this Encyclopedia, in Vietnam he flew "F-4C Phantom II's" against those Russian "MiG-21's" I  mentioned in book one.  The four Pigeons are flying over Libby's Corral, moving eastward.          

           Wow!  My Encyclopedia says some say Mr. Robin was the best "Wing Commander" in the Vietnam War.  His dad was also a Pilot too, and took him up with him in one of those World War I type "Biplanes;" when he was only eight years old.   I just picked up Libby's nice scent.                                

P-38 "LIGHTNING"                                               P-51 "MUSTANG"          

                     PAINTING BY ROY GRINNEL                                                                                                           PAINTING BY COLIN PARKER                                 

        

              I just thought of how in 1943 one of the P-38 "Lightning's," which Robert Olds flew in that war; shot down Admiral Yamamoto's Plane.  Over in Europe, all those black American      "Tuskegee Airmen" Pilots flew "P-51 "Mustangs."  The Germans called them "Red Tails."          

          P-38's, which our boss once built a model of; look like two Planes stuck together.  That man Kelly Johnson, whose Nephew Mr. Steve's sister Susan was with for a while; worked on the P-38.  I guess, Mr. Robert was born in Hawaii, where Mr. Mark now lives with his family.          

           The tv show said Robert Olds went to College at the military academy of "West Point," where he played Football.  I wrote in book one how Kelly Johnson, for "Lockheed;" worked on  the "U-2" and "SR-71 Blackbird" in the 1950's and 1960's.  Heathcliff crowed over there.            

                 

F-4C "PHANTOM" / "MiG-21"      

              

              A painting shows an "F-4," like what Robert Olds flew; going bye one of those Russian "MiG's" during the Vietnam War.   You can tell they're both going really fast, flames coming out of the backs.  Oh!  I just glanced up and can see two crisscrossed vapor trails up in the sky.          

             My Dictionary says a "Maverick" is, "A person who acts independently, often without the proper authority."  Daisy told me that's what Mr. Robin was called as a nickname during the Vietnam War.  Our boss and Miss Babette talked about an old Ford Car called a Maverick.          

           The tv show talked about a time when Robin Olds led his men in "tricking" the MiG Pilots into thinking they were attacking slow Bombers.  What the MiG's didn't know was they      were being "Ambushed" by a squadron of P-4's.  So a lot of MiG Pilots got killed Daisy says.                                                                                

       RUDOLPH HESS (1894-1987)      

                       

          Right now I'll write about a guy named Rudolph Hess, who for years was Hitler's "Chief Deputy; or "Right hand Man" as they say.  In 1925, with Hitler in jail; he "may" have typed as      Hitler "dictated" his book "Mein Kampf" I guess.  Rudy the Roadrunner is running bye.           

           This  Encyclopedia says, in the Spring of 1941 after the Germans failed to win the "Battle of Britain;" Rudolph Hess flew a Me-110 Plane over to England and crash-landed in Scotland.  This was a very big surprise to everyone. and Hitler was so angry.  I smell some Mesquite.            

      In book three I'll write about the 1945 "Nuremburg Trials," where Nazis like Herman Göring, Albert Speer and Rudolph Hess were "Put on Trial."  In 1941 Hess' flight was a shock.  He said he was an "Envoy," hoping to "Broker" peace between England and Germany.                

                                   

         RUDOLPH HESS' ME-110 (MAY / SCOTLAND)        

                                                     

            A picture shows British Soldiers in 1941, standing around Rudolph Hess's crashed Plane.  "To his surprise," Rudolph Hess was taken prisoner, then "held" until those Nuremburg Trials    five years later.  I can hear two Crows fighting over something way out there in the desert.           

         Rudolph Hess thought he was helping Hitler because he knew his boss believed England and Germany should be allies.  But, I guess Hitler was really angry because he was afraid Hess    would "Spill the Beans" about his intention to attack his ally Russia.  I smell Creosote.                  

        Mr. Steve thinks, in Rudolph Hess's mind; it was "plausible" to think many Englishmen, like Edward VIII who'd "Abdicated" as King in 1936; would want to be Germany's ally.  Like a few people here in the U.S, he and his wife were "admirers" of the Nazis during the 1930's.                                  

                         ME-109                                                        "CONDOR" LEGION                  

PAINTING BY PERUN TWOREK                                                                                                                                                                                 

               

           This Encyclopedia says that German Ace Adolph Galland, as a member of the "Condor Legion;" fought in the Spanish Civil War of 1936 through 1939.  He flew those Me-109 Fighter    Planes protecting Bombers I guess.  General Franco's Right Wing Fascists won that war.              

          I've mentioned how "Me-109" is short for "Messerschmidt," the last name of that man who designed Planes.  During the Spanish Civil War the Germans and Italians "Field Tested"      many weapons later used in the Second World War.  It was kind of like a "Dress Rehearsal."       

            Flying "Missions" in Spain gave Pilots like Adolph Galland practice so, when World War II started in 1939; they were "Ready to Go" and had experience.  As I wrote yesterday, Joseph      Stalin helped the Left Wing losing side in the Spanish Civil War.  A Crow is cawing faintly.         

  

   "GUERNICA"        

PAINTING BY PABLO PICASSO

                   

             I just thought of the famous painting by that Spanish guy Pablo Picasso.  It shows what happened when the German's Condor Legion bombed the "Basque" city of "Guernica" back in 1937.  That inspired "Picasso" to do his now famous black and white "Anti-War" painting.         

           Dais and Millie saw this documentary about Pablo Picasso, who was living in France in 1937.  Mr. Steve's mom has a good book about him, which she read in College at C.S.U.N.  Up in the high blue midday sky there's now a small flock of Birds moving toward the northeast.             

           Mr. Steve's dad thinks General Franco was "smart" in keeping Spain "Neutral" during the Second World War.  His Fascists "held power" all the way into the 1970's when our boss and Miss Sandy were still in High School.  I smell Bravo Company out there in the back desert.                             GENERAL FRANCISCO FRANCO (1892-1975)

            I notice how, in a picture of General Franco; he's sitting at a desk and is about to write with one of those Bird feathers the way they did before there were such things as these pens and  pencils I've been using.  I see Libby over there walking in her Corral.  Her scent is so nice.            

         Boy!  Maybe someday I can try writing with a feather, or we could start a feather pen business; as we do have Bird feathers laying all around.  Pictures show General Franco walking  with Adolph Hitler and talking to the Italian Dictator Mussolini.  Andy's sniffing the air.               

             My Encyclopedia says that guy Adolph Galland "took part in" World War II's opening "campaigns." In 1940 he "saw action" in the conquest of France.  Later in the war, in 1944; he    even flew that famous "Me-262" Jet I've mentioned a few times over these first two days.               

JUAN / EVA PERÓN              ADOLF GALLAND                   JUAN / EVA          

             It says here after World War II, Adolph Galland went down to South America to work for "Argentina;" led by Juan and Eva Perón.  Because he spoke Spanish, he could train all their  Pilots.  A small Garter Snake used the right vertical gate slot to crawl out into the back field.        

          A few years ago Mr. Steve's father met a man who knew Adolf Galland down there in Argentina, and said he "spoke good english" too.  Tomorrow Daisy has me scheduled to learn      more about Argentina and Brazil too.  I'll find out about Juan and Eva Perón's period.                 

             Boy!  I'm tempted to write about South America now but, I'll wait and do it according to my outlines.  I see how, in looking at my book two outline; I still have a lot more to write about Second World War in this fifth chapter.  A long line of Ants is going bye on the Patio floor.                        

    SQUIRRELS "SHARING BODY HEAT"

            

         Seeing Andy over there, now sniffing the air; makes me think about how cold it was this Winter and how warm it is on only this second day of Spring.  I remember when it snowed a few  times this Winter.  So Andy and Helen kept each other warm by staying close to each other.          

           Daisy has thick fur, so is good to lay next to out here on you Elvira on cold days; but when it was too cold; she went in the house at night and I think next Winter I'll  do the same because it gets so cold.  I'm glad I have you guys Barry, Robin and Maurice.  You're good blankets!              

         Hey Lord!  Thinking of Winter makes me feel like writing about that guy "Santa Claus," even though I'm not scheduled to do it right now according to this book two outline.  Dais and I kind of want to believe in Santa Claus.  Crows are fighting over something out in the field.           

     

"SANTA CLAUS"

           Oh what the heck!  I can learn about Christmas now too.  One time Dais and Millie were in our boss's office and heard him talk on the phone with that girl Miss Babette.  I've mentioned a few times already how he, Babette, Susan and Karin all "sell things" for their company.            

            Miss Babette's family has it's origins in the modern country of "Turkey," so are "Eastern Orthodox" Christians.  Mr. Steve told her he's read that the "fictional" Santa Claus character "originated" with a real person.  Ducks are quacking over there but Daisy's louder of course.      

          This one Encyclopedia says "modern" Santa Claus is "based" on a 4th century A.D. man named "Nicholas of Myra," a Christian "Bishop" in "Asia Minor" or where Turkey is now.  In  one of those "Epidemics" I've written about both of his Greek parents died.  Libby neighed.            

NICHOLAS OF MYRA (270-343 A.D.) 

PAINTING BY JAROSLAV ÇERMÁK

         Daisy says our boss told Miss Babette what it says here in my Encyclopedia.  During the early part of that guy Nicholas' life Christians were "persecuted" so he was put into jail for five  years.  But, then that Emperor "Constantine I" came into power; and "became" Christian.         

          Hey Lord!  I just thought about how Constantine I, "The Great;" won that famous battle in Italy near the bridge our boss saw outside the city of Rome.  He won the Roman Empire and "Converted" to Christianity; saying You sent him a sign to help his Soldiers.  I smell Sage.           

          Boy Lord!  Before the time of Constantine I the Romans killed Christians, while after him it was possible to die for not believing in You.  He turned a "Traditional Pagan Roman" holiday into a newer Christian celebration of Your possible birthday.   I smell the Arborvitae trees.   

 

PIGEON COUPLE FLYING BYE

           I just glanced up from down here on my couch in time to see two of the Pigeons flying bye and moving toward the northeast.  I think it's Lucy and Ricky, but it's hard to tell from this far    away so; so it might be Fred and Ethel.  I can smell Bonnie and Clyde's babies up there.                

       Daisy says our boss told Miss Babette "Saint" Nicholas, now a symbol for "Generosity;" preferred to help people "Anonymously" without them knowing who did it.  Children were all     told to "go to sleep" at night "or Bishop Nicholas wouldn't come."  Heathcliff crowed.                 

        Oh!  My Encyclopedia says one time Nicholas left gold coins in the hanging socks of three poor sisters who "wanted to get married."  Aha!  No wonder Santa Claus leaves Daisy and I Dog  Treats in our red socks Mr. Steve hangs on the fireplace at Christmas.  I smell old Sage.                           

             "SINTERKLAAS"                      MISS BABETTE / HUSBAND DAVID

        

            Dais says our boss told Miss Babette years after the time of St. Nicholas the "Dutch" in the "Netherlands" began calling him "Sinterklaas."  Some people also referred to him as "Sint    Nicolaas," which I guess "evolved" into "Santa Claus."  I like Bonnie and Clyde's babies.           

            Hey Lord!  From what it says in this Encyclopedia, after that guy Constantine I became Christian he "replaced" the Roman "Winter Solstice" holiday with Your birthday.  And, when St. Nicholas died on December 6th; both things "merged" together.  A Train whistled faintly.       

            According to what Daisy overheard our boss tell Miss Babette on the phone, over the last two thousand years; every area that became Christian added it's own influences to the modern    Santa  Claus.  Ah!  Samson and Delilah are chasing another Raven and really yelling at it.                  

"ODIN"   

     

          Well, Mr. Steve was right.  It says here about a thousand years ago the Vikings became Christians and, little by little; Santa Claus became more and more like their old "Pagan" God    "Odin."  Samson and Delilah are still chasing that other Raven, who looks kind of scared.            

           Daisy heard that God Odin, just like the real Santa Claus; flies through the sky and also lives secret homes near the "North Pole" too.  She told me "Superman" goes to a "Cold Land" and talks to ancestors through "Ice Crystals" the way Odin does.  Libby's whinnying.                   

         Our boss told Miss Babette he's got a book about this 19th century British "Cartoonist" named Thomas Nast.  I guess some of his "Victorian" era Santa Claus artwork "combined" St. Nicholas with the English character "Father Christmas."   Frida and Diego just flew bye.               

                "FATHER CHRISTMAS"                                             "COCA-COLA"                                    ARTWORK BY THOMAS NAST                                                                                                                                                                                               

 

         Yesterday in my first book I wrote about how Mr. Steve doesn't give or want Christmas gifts anymore.  Hey Lord!  Instead, he gives money to different "Charities" who help the poor as You said to do.  Daisy says Mr. Phillip from Wales knows about that Artist Thomas Nast.             

       Lord!  Our boss doesn't like how Your birthday has been turned into a "Commercial" holiday by companies like "Coca-Cola."  In that way he's like Anna Jarvis, the lady who started "Mother's Day;" who also didn't like what that holiday has evolved into.  Dawn's barking.           

         I've mentioned a few times how Mr. Steve and his father think "Overall," Capitalism is "Generally" better than Socialism.  But, at times; it can "Lend Itself" to greed.  As it said up on  the wall outside of the Oracle's chamber back then in ancient Delphi, "Nothing in Excess."                    

                        STEEL FACTORY                                                  MR. PHILLIP                                        

          Daisy says our boss and Mr. Phillip have talked about how the "Industrial Revolution" began in England at the end of the 18th century, when "Steam" power came in.  And then, in the mid-19th century; "Steel" became more and more important.  A Train just whistled faintly.         

           I've mentioned a few times in these first two books how "Manufacturing" is a big reason why the Union beat the Confederate States in the American Civil War.  And, what "Turned the    Tide" of World War II was the U.S.'s  "Industrial Capacity" a century later.  I smell Sage.           

           "To save money" Mr. Steve says, all the "Apparel" he and Miss. Babette, Susan and Karin sell is now made over in China.  After the Second World War ended in 1945 "things" were then    made here so there were many good jobs but, now they're gone he says.  A Lizard ran bye.            

   

WREN STANDING IN CHOLLA CACTUS                          DAISY CÓRDOVA                     

    

         Oh!  I see that little Wren Bird again sitting in the Cholla cactus patch out in the desert behind the Sheds.  I'm still thinking of how Daisy really praised me on my first bigger break of    the day.  I'm glad the Bufferin is working again today so her Arthritis is not bad at all.                  

           Well, I keep getting off topic; but now it's back to World War II.  In 1940, after they took most of western Europe; only Winston Churchill's England was left to "Stand up To" Hitler.  A    few of the Ducks are quacking and as usual Daffy's voice is louder and more noticeable.                

         Daisy heard our boss's dad say he thinks in 1940 Hitler already wanted to attack his then ally Stalin's Soviet Union.  He "Held out Hope" the English would "Negotiate Peace."  But they didn't so he would have beat them and postpone the attack on Stalin.  The air is so clear!              

              

                ITALY (OCTOBER, 1922)                   GERMANY (NOVEMBER, 1923)               

      

           Even though I'm scheduled to learn about the years "between" the two world wars in my third book, I also feel like doing it now too.  World War I ended in 1918 and, by the early 1920's; Hitler led the "Nazi" Party.  And he noticed Mussolini's "Coup d' Etat" over there in Italy.          

          A picture in my Encyclopedia shows some of Mussolini's "Blackshirt" Soldiers marching in 1922 when they took over power in Italy.  Another photo shows Hitler at the time of his failed  "Uprising" about a year later.  The Police shot and killed some Nazis but Hitler escaped.              

          It says here Hitler, who "contemplated" suicide; ended up being arrested and then "put on trial."  It was for "Treason" so could've meant the "Death Penalty," but he "used the trial as a platform;" and "gained followers" who liked his ideas and what he said.  Heathcliff crowed.               s.jpg” style=”width: 350px; height: 375px;” />       

      ADOLPH HITLER (MID-1920'S)        

                  

         In 1923 Hitler was "Convicted" but "Let off Easy" so to speak, his imprisonment like a "Country Club" Mr. Ralph joked.  He was even able to write his book "Mein Kampf" in prison.  A lady related to that Composer Richard Wagner gave him a "Typewriter" Dais heard.                

         Daisy told me this tv show said how, for a long time; most people thought Hitler had just "Dictated" his book to Rudolph Hess.  But now, some think he typed it himself. Boy!  How could  anyone have even thought of how to make such a totally amazing thing like a typewriter?             

         One of these days I'll see the computer in our boss's office, and also look at Daisy and I's  "Facebook" page.  Mr. Steve told his father how the "Internet" is really good for having "access    to information."  Oh!  I wonder if someday maybe there could be a typewriter for Dogs?                

"MEIN KAMPF" 

                                

          The caption below a good picture of Hitler  says his book Mein Kampf, "My Struggle" in English;" was mainly about three things, "Nationalism," "Anti-Semitism" and "Violence."  But, he also wrote of "Lebensraum;" or "Living Space" for Germany.  I smell some Mesquite.            

          Mr. Steve has a copy of Mein Kampf so knows, since the mid-1920's; people knew Hitler's ideas.  In 1939 he made that deal with Stalin's Soviet Union, but in his book he openly talked of    Germany conquering Russia.  Mr. Steve's father has a Spanish language Mein Kampf.                  

         Bonnie and Clyde just flew in, and I'm sure have food in their stomachs to throw up; for their babies up there to eat.  I heard the chicks waking up and starting to chirp and now that one with the louder voice is really trying to get his parents attention.  I feel so good right now.                                     

      ADOLPH HITLER (WORLD WAR I)

           

           I've written about how, before the time of Radios; Hitler was a "Front line Courier" in some of World War I's big battles.  He "delivered" messages to the different "Combat Zones."    There are some Crows squawking wildly at each other way out there in the eastern desert.            

             Even though Hitler had trimmed his Handlebar mustache so a gas mask would fit better  around his face, when the First World War ended in 1918 he was inside of a Hospital.  Gas had gotten through anyway so he was blind.  That's when he heard of Germany losing the war.           

           Daisy thinks Hitler "must've been brave," because in World War I he got one of his two "Iron Cross" medals for "dragging a wounded comrade to safety;" during combat.  One time a "jagged" piece of "white-hot" metal, or "shrapnel;" hit his thigh.  A Train whistled faintly.          

                                    

ADOLPH HITLER

(WITH DOG "FUCHSL")

          I like looking at that picture of Hitler's World War I boy Dog "Fuchsl."  He seems like a nice friendly Dog, and if I could go back in time I'll bet we'd find out that he was really brave      and courageous; like little Blinky next door.  I've mentioned how Fuchsl means "Little Fox."       

          This is interesting.  It says here Hitler earned the second Iron Cross by capturing French Soldiers hiding in a "Crater" created by one of those giant cannon shells exploding.  Bonnie and Clyde just now finished feeding all of their babies up there, so are flying out to be desert.              

        As I said earlier, like J.R.R. Tolkien; Adolph Hitler fought in that gigantic "Battle of the Somme."  Daisy has me scheduled to learn more about it tomorrow when I really find out all of the different things having to do with the subject of World War I.  A little Lizard ran bye.             

                       

WORLD WAR I INFLUENCED TOLKIEN   

                      

             I've mentioned a few times how Mr. Steve thinks Tolkien's writing  "had to have been influenced" by his First World War experiences.  At times he's wondered if those black-robed      "Ringwraiths" might've been drawn from a nightmare?  Theodora just went running bye.           

               Daisy and Millie are so lucky because they got to see the movie "Lord of the Rings."  In one part these really scary looking huge "Elephant-like" things called "Mûmakils" are shown.    Their slow, lumbering movements are sort of like those first primitive World War I Tanks.           

          Oh what the heck!  I feel like writing more about World War I, where the "Advanced Technology" like machine guns, barbed wire, gas and flamethrowers produced that "Stalemate." That "No man's Land" killing zone was created, so steel Tanks had to be invented I guess.                      

           "MARK 1" (1916)                                       A7V "MESPHISTO" (1918)      

    

           As I've said before, Tanks were first "Deployed" in 1916 at the "Battle of the Somme;" where Hitler and Tolkien saw combat.  My Encyclopedia says the British used the "Mark 1," in    1918; the Germans "countered" with their "A7V Mesphisto."  A Lizard went running bye.        

             It says here the British used the word "Tank" to describe their war machines, hoping the Germans would think they were referring to some new type of "water tanks."  I smell the new baby Cholla cactus growing over there in the dirt.  For some reason that makes me feel good.       

         Some of the first Germans to see the British Tanks slowly coming towards them in 1916 yelled, "The Devil is coming!"  Some had never even seen a Car before, so seeing Tanks rolling right over sharp barbed wire and craters was really scary.  Libby just whinnied over there.              

              W.W. I ("KRUPP" FIELD GUN)                                W.W. II (88 M.M. CANON)                                      

  

              It says here how "initially" the Germans saw Tanks as "monsters," but soon "adapted" their "Krupp" Field Guns to fire "horizontally."  And it worked I guess because then the British came to call those first Tanks "metal coffins."  Blackbeard and Anne Bonny are flying bye.          

            During World War II Erwin Rommel in North Africa turned his 88 millimeter cannons into "Tank Killers."  They were originally intended to be vertical anti aircraft "Flack" guns but   were "redesigned" to shoot horizontally at the Allied Tanks.  Heathcliff crowed over there.          

           All of a sudden I just thought of how that Carthaginian General Hannibal Barca used  those Elephants as Tanks in the "Second Punic War" against ancient Rome.  It's hard to believe he got them all the way from Spain over the "Alps" mountains.  I'd like to smell an Elephant.                  

                SECOND "PUNIC" WAR                              LEONARDO DA VINCI TANK CONCEPT

           

             Boy!  Way back during the 16th century "Renaissance" that guy Leonardo da Vinci was already thinking of weapons like Tanks, machine guns and even Submarines too.  I wrote before  how Mr. Steve copied Leonardo da Vinci's two Tank drawings.  I can smell some Arborvitae.       

            Thank You again God for giving me my project.  Seeing wispy clouds up in the high blue sky, and Andy over there sniffing the air in guarding their den; is making me feel so glad to be    down here on the Patio sitting on Elvira.  Dawn and Blinky are both barking at something.          

        All of a sudden I just thought of that Science Fiction movie Daisy and Millie saw called "Star Wars," which I guess is about a time in the future where people are traveling all over the    Universe.  Blinky has such a nice scent and so does Dawn.  I also smell Rosie over there too.          

               

  "STAR WARS"

      

          According to Daisy, that movie Star Wars shows how in the future they fight with laser beam guns and things like that.  Giant Tanks will walk like robot Elephants, and shoot cannons    from their heads.  Boy!  We wonder if someday they'll even have some robot Dog Warriors?         

            Dais told me how, on that one tv show about Hitler; it said he was blinded by "Mustard" gas in 1918.  That's why he was in the Hospital when Germany surrendered.  I'm sure glad I'm    not blind God, because then I wouldn't be able to finish all these three really long books.               

            Hitler was at first shocked, got depressed; and finally angry in hearing how Germany had lost the war.  So he and other Germans blamed the Politicians, some of whom were Jewish; who  signed the "Armistice." He didn't want to believe that the German military had been beaten.                       

 VERSAILLES, FRANCE (1919)

        

           The three "Allies" on the winning side of World War I were the United States, England and France; who "blamed" Germany for starting the war so told them they had to pay a lot of    money back.  This then made the German economy go into that big economic depression.             

             Dais says our boss still has a book from College at C.S.U.N which "Makes the Case" that, unlike World War II; it can be argued neither side was totally responsible for starting the First World War in 1914.  All four of the Pigeons are flying over Libby's Corral right now.                 

           As I've mentioned, after World War I "Representatives" for the "Victorious" Allies met in "Versailles, France.  Germany, Austria Hungary, Bulgaria and the Ottoman Empire lost the war so were told to pay "Reparations."  England and France owed the U.S. a lot of money too.            

   s.jpg” style=”width: 360px; height: 325px;” />      

GERMANY (EARLY 1920'S / "STREET" BATTLES)

     

           When the Kaiser's Germany surrendered in late 1918 many Germans, like Adolph Hitler  for example; didn't want to "Admit Defeat" and "Tap Out" like a beaten "Mixed Martial Arts" fighter.  The "Right" and Left" killed each other in "Street Fighting."  Dawn's barking.               

          It says here, like a lot of ex-Soldiers; Hitler blamed "Communists" and Jews who "quit" the war for Germany's "humiliating" defeat.  In German it's called "Dolchstoßlegende" or the    "Stab in the back myth."  Boy!  It seems like Jews always get blamed when things go bad.            

           For a while Hitler stayed in the Hospital even though Doctors said his eyes seemed okay.   They began to think his blindness was all "In his Head" so to speak.  I've mentioned how many   combat veterans come out of war with different versions of what's called "Shell Shock."                                 

ADOLPH HITLER (1889-1945) 

    

           According to a tv show Dais saw about Hitler, when he was blind one Doctor told him he was "destined for greatness," so had a "duty" to "heal himself" through "will power."  And, I guess it worked; as he then recovered.  The big Dragonfly zoomed bye and I heard it coming.       

       I guess that Doctor lit a candle, held it in front of Hitler's face; and told him if he could "will" himself to see it he'd be healed.  Daisy thinks it worked partly because Hitler decided he wanted to get better so he could then somehow lead Germany back to greatness again.                  

         Boy!  I love learning new things; and practicing reading and writing.  Thank You again    God for creating all the fresh air down here on this Patio for me to breathe right now.  And also    thank You for my good couch Elvira who, next to Dais and our boss; is now my best friend.                                               

    WORLD WAR I (1914-1918)      

                        

          One reason why Germany lost World War I was, for three years; they had to fight on two "Fronts."  In the "West" they faced England, France and later the U.S.  Until that revolution in 1917 Russia was their enemy in the "East."  Hitler made the same mistake in World War II.         

         A map of First World War Europe shows the four "Central Powers" colored in light red, while their "Allied" opponents are shown as light green.  The "Neutral" countries, like Spain;    are in yellow. I see how all of the four Central Powers seem to be kind of "Surrounded."               

             Well, I spent more time on World War I than planned but, now I'll go back to finding out about the Second World War.   In 1939, when that war started; Hitler remembered World War I so didn't really want to fight again on two fronts.  Samson and Delilah just went flying bye.                      

   JOACHIM VON RIBBENTROP / STALIN / VYACHESLAV MOLOTOV

       (AUGUST 23, 1939)           

                 

           Over the last two days I've mentioned a few times how World War II "Officially" began on September the 1st of 1939, when Germany attacked Poland.  England and France were allies  of Poland so had to "Declare War" on Germany but it was too late to save Poland.  Too bad!        

          To the surprise of everyone, because of what he'd said in his 1925 book Mein Kampf; on August the 23rd of 1939 Nazi Germany and Soviet Russia signed a "Non-Aggression Pact."  Mr. Steve's mom had just turned four only three days before that.  Daffy's quacking over there.          

          In the "Ribbentrop-Molotov Pact" Hitler and Stalin "Made a Deal" to "Divide Up" the country of Poland in 1939.  For Hitler it was an "Agreement of Convenience" but Stalin thought and really hoped he and Hitler could maybe conquer the world together.  But he was wrong.        

              

     2009 GMC "ENVOY"         

                   

          This Encyclopedia says an "Envoy" is a "messenger," or "diplomatic agent."  The men who "negotiated" that totally shocking agreement in 1939 between Hitler's "Nazi" Germany      and Stalin's "Soviet" Russia in 1939 were Envoys.  Dais says there was a Car called Envoy.          

             I guess, the Ribbbentrop-Molotov Pact is called that because the German who worked on it was named Joachim von Ribbentrop; while Vyacheslav Molotov "represented" the Russians.  Frida and Diego are now flying over the Sheds, and moving together toward the northeast.           

           Dais heard our boss and Mr. Rick one time talking about a Polish kid they went through St. Ferdinand's with named "Mark."  He later also transferred to "Alemany" for High School too.  Two long vapor trails are stretched out way up there in the clear and beautiful sky.                                                     

     HERMAN GÖRING (1893-1946)          

             

           In my two books I've mentioned that guy Herman Göring a few times.  He was a Pilot in World War I, later head of the "Luftwaffe" Air Force in the Second World War.  In book three    I'll  learn more about the subject of Second World War Nazi "Advanced Aviation" technology.    

        Having taken Poland in 1939 Hitler "turned his attention" west, and in 1940 took all of those other four countries.  After the "miraculous" evacuation from Dunkirk's beaches Winston Churchill thought Hitler would then invade England.  Heathcliff just crowed over there.               

          Because in 1940 the "Royal Navy" was strong it would not be so easy to just sail an army across the English Channel to take England like William the Conqueror did in 1066 A.D.  Being about twenty miles across, it wasn't "just another wide river."  Andy's now sniffing the air.                                         

       "FASCIST" EUROPE (1941)    

                                 

           It says here once Hitler had most of Europe, Mussolini's Italy and Imperial Japan "made alliances" with Germany; called the "Tripartite Pact" or "Pact of Steel."  This good map shows how much land Germany and Italy controlled by mid-1941.  Two of the Pigeons flew bye.             

       After "occupying" France in June of 1940, Herman Göring "convinced" Hitler that his Luftwaffe Air Force could "bring England to her knees" without actually having to invade.  He  "believed" he could "bomb them into submission."  A Train whistled faintly to my left.                 

          That lady Mrs. Gunther, whose husband was a Luftwaffe Pilot during World War II; had our house built in 1989.  Over the years Mr. Steve and his parents have been told her husband      was "related" to Herman Göring.  Boy!  I'm so glad Mrs. Gunther built this good house.              

                 

        "DRAGONFLY"                                                           "WASP"                     

        

          Aha!  I knew I heard that one big Dragonfly I've been seeing for the last two days, and it just zipped bye right now.  Seeing him reminds me of yesterday when it flew bye.  Daisy isn't as    afraid of things that sting as much as I am but she has thick fur so can afford to be braver.           

           When still living with her first owner, this Wasp stung Dais on the nose; which really hurt but taught her to avoid Wasps.  I benefit from her experience.  One time she heard our boss and Mr. Rich talking about a 1980's Shock Rock band called WASP, who wore good costumes.            

        I just thought of "Operation Paper Clip."  During World War II the United States and Soviet Union were allies but, afterwards became enemies and that big "Cold War" started; so      both sides competed for the "Brain Power" of the  defeated Germans.  Heathcliff crowed.            

                     

        WERNHER VON BRAUN (1912-1977)       

                                

            In book one I mentioned that "Rocket Scientist" Wernher von Braun, who developed the    German's "V-1" and V-2" Rockets in the last few years of World War II.  Mr. Steve's dad jokes  "his brain" got the U.S. to the Moon in 1969.  Speedy Gonzalez just ran out into the desert.          

          As part of Operation Paper Clip Wernher von Braun and other German Scientists, their Nazi records "Whitewashed;" were brought to America.  Pilots, like Mrs. Gunther's husband;    worked at Edwards A.F.B.  That time we heard Miss Susan say some lived in Wrightwood.           

         Once he knew England would fight, in 1940 Hitler told Herman Göring to just go ahead and try to get the British to "Capitulate" using only his Air Force.  But, they didn't realize all      along the English eastern coastline were "Radar" Towers.  I smell the Twin Joshua trees.                            

    "BATTLE OF BRITAIN" (LATE 1940)          

                     

          The "first phase" of the "Battle of Britain" began on July 10, 1940.  A map shows where those radar towers were, and they "allowed" the British to know when German Warplanes were flying from France to bomb them.  I've mentioned how Mr. Steve's birthday is July the 9th.         

          Daisy saw this tv show that said how radar "may have saved" England.  When the Battle of Britain started the Germans had three times as many Airplanes as the English, so the Royal    Air Force "could not afford to waste" any of them.  Two of the Pigeons are now flying bye.           

           It says here, from July through the end of 1940; British and German Planes "fought in the skies above England."  The tv show said it was the first time a battle was fought "completely in the air."  Brave Pilots like that guy Douglas Bader, who had no legs; defended his country.                                                 

"RADAR" TOWER

(ENGLISH EAST COAST / MAY, 1940)

   

          A picture shows one of the radar towers set up along England's east coast in 1940.  Radar is when "Sound Waves" are sent out, hit an object and then bounce back; which tells you a lot    about that thing.  A little Sparrow carrying a long twig just ran bye out there in the dirt.              

         I just thought of how, after World War I in the 1920's the American economy "Roared;" but then that 1930's "Great Depression" followed.  Hitler came to power in 1933, and saw how    much violence was going on in the world.  I smell Bonnie and Clyde's babies up there.                   

     Daisy says that tv show talked about how, in the early 1930's; "Imperial" Japan under Emperor Hirohito took "Manchuria" from a "divided" China.  And then, just a few years later;  Mussolini's Fascist Italy was fighting in Africa.  Mr. Steve's parents were children then.                                                   

"RAPE OF NANKING" (1937)

           

            Ugh!  The caption below a picture says it shows a Japanese Soldier holding the head of a Chinese man in 1937 at that city "Nanking."  Japanese Soldiers held "contests" to see who could "sever" the most heads "efficiently," in the "shortest amount of time."  Libby whinnied.              

            In the 1930's Communist and Nationalist Chinese forces "ceased" fighting each other in order to concentrate on defending against the Japanese.  After World War II in 1945, they went    back to killing each other; and Mao Zedong's Communists won in 1949.  I smell Mesquite.           

           Dais and Millie one time heard our boss and Mr. Grant talking about a tv show they saw. The subjects were Radar, Sonar and Ground Penetrating Radar," all of which use "pulses" for    locating things like Planes, Submarines or things buried down in dirt.  A little Lizard bye.                   

                      GOLDEN EARRING            "SHRINE" AUDITORIUM                   MONTROSE                                          

          

           Oh!  All of a sudden, mentioning Radar makes me think of that one Dutch band called GOLDEN EARING.  Daisy heard our boss tell his brother Sam on the phone about how, in the    1970's; he and his friend Chris saw them play a concert.  I really like how Libby smells.                

          Mr. Steve told his brother GOLDEN EARING have a song called "Radar Love," which he's played along to on drums.  That concert was downtown at the "Shrine" Auditorium.  The Guitarist uses a "Wah-Wah" peddle and the Drummer gets to play a lot of "Snare" drum.           

          According to what Dais heard, this other Northern California band MONTROSE played before GOLDEN EARING.  That guy Sammy Hagar, just like the Cul-de- Sac in Sylmar; was in that band.  Well, I'd better get back to writing about World War II's "Battle of Britain."                     

        BRITISH "ROYAL" NAVY         

("PATROLLING" ENGLISH CHANNEL / 1940)   

                                       

           A picture shows British warships protecting the English Channel, which the caption says "acted as a natural barrier."  But Winston Churchill told the people they had to be ready to fight "hand to hand" if necessary.  Samson and Delilah flew bye going toward the northeast.                 

          "Battleships" and "Destroyers" have huge cannons I notice.  So in 1940 the English could "violently contest" the Germans if they tried to "transport" troops over to England from France in Boats.  I see my collection of things to chew on over there to my left at the end of the Patio.       

        In 1940 Winston Churchill, with mainland Europe conquered; knew England was "In big Trouble." Even though they had a huge Empire, with "Colonies" all over the world; the island of England itself was far away.  So it was kind of hard to get them enough food and supplies.                      

    QUEEN VICTORIA (1819-1901)   

     

         I just thought of that lady Queen Victoria who, because of the powerful Royal Navy; led England in dominating the 19th century world.   She "ruled over" Colonies in Ireland, Canada, India, Australia and many other regions too.  Mr. Phillip has read about Queen Victoria.              

          Daisy heard, because she was Queen in so many places, people joked how the "Sun never Set" on "Victoria's Empire."  I've mentioned before how her birthday of May 24th, is also Mr.    Steve's parents wedding anniversary.  In 1940 England was in a "Precarious" situation.               

          A man named Hugh Dowding led England's "Royal Air Force in 1940.  It says here he was an "Air Marshall" in the "R.A.F."   He knew he didn't have as many Planes as the Germans; so had to "manage his forces well."  Andy's scent just came floating into me here on the Patio.                                                  

"AIR CHIEF MARSHALL" HUGH DOWDING (1882-1970)

           

           Wow!  Even though I don't know what my face looks like, it would be so great to have it on the front of a stamp like the one Hugh Dowding is shown on in this Encyclopedia.  Daisy told me how you have to do something special or important to get a stamp.  Heathcliff crowed.            

           I guess, in 1940 Hugh Dowding had to "conserve" his Planes; so let the German Planes attack Ships in the English Channel.  He knew every Plane was going to be necessary later when the real Battle of Britain would happen.  Some people really criticized him for doing that.             

         Even though Hugh Dowding had "Critics" in World War II, he didn't care.  And, from what the man on the tv show said; he turned out to be right in not wasting his valuable "Fighter Airplanes."  His two main "Fighters" were "Hawker Hurricanes" and those "Spitfires."              

                     

    IRON MAIDEN  

               

           Daisy told me about an IRON MAIDEN Video for their good song about the Battle of Britain.  Like METALLICA'S Video for "Blitzkrieg," old images from the Second World War      are used to make the song a lot better Dais thinks.  Mr. Dave likes both of those Videos I guess.    

            Mentioning the British warships makes me think of Mr. Steve's fear of being eaten by a Shark.  If he had to fight in a war; he wouldn't join the Navy the way Miss Sandy's father did in World War II.  His Ship, the U.S.S. "Lexington;" sank at the "Battle of the Coral Sea."                

           I just thought of how that Japanese Submarine sank the U.S.S. "Indianapolis" warship in 1945.  Hundreds of Sailors were eaten by Sharks, and Mr. Steve told his mom if he'd been in that water he "probably would've had a heart attack."   Dawn's barking over there next door.                         

               "SAND REEF" SHARK                                             "GREAT WHITE" SHARK                               

     

            This afternoon Dais has me scheduled to write about Sharks, Whales and things like that.  Mr. Steve's interested in that subject.  Sandy's father was a "Gunner" on the Aircraft Carrier    Lexington and lost most of his hearing from it.  Daisy told me wars are really, really loud.             

          My Encyclopedia says in 1940 Hitler told Herman Göring not to bomb cities, but only the "military targets;" and at first they didn't.  But then on one really dark night by accident some    German Bombers dropped some bombs on London.  I smell some new Spring Manzanita.            

        Whether an accident or not Winston Churchill got mad, so he ordered his Bombers to go bomb the city of "Berlin;" in "Retaliation."  So, from then on both sides bombed civilians in the  cities and nothing after that was "Off Limits."  Everything was "Fair Game" so to speak.                                             

       DOUGLAS BADER (1910-1982)       

                 

             Boy!  It's hard to believe that guy Douglas Bader had no legs below his knees, but was a really good Pilot during World War II.  This one Encyclopedia says he "came to epitomize" the    "gritty determination" and "quintessential" British "Bulldog spirit."  I like Manzanita.               

         Douglas Bader was lucky in 1941 because the British government really, really needed Pilots so accepted him back into the R.A.F.   On that tv show Daisy saw on Douglas Bader it said he turned out to be "exceptional."  Some Sparrows are all singing out there in the desert.             

           Hey God!  I want to be like those guys Homer Lea, Douglas Bader and Doug Flutie, who all overcame disadvantages.   If I can be one of the first Dogs to write books our boss will be so proud of me I hope.  Frida and Diego are flying over Libby's Coral, moving toward the east.                                                    

  2014 LINCOLN "AVIATOR"           

                    

           Daisy was the one who first told me another name for a Pilot is an "Aviator."  One time she heard our boss talking on the phone with a customer ordering "Lincoln" logo hats.  I just      now noticed one of those vapor trails extending slowly up in the high late morning blue sky.         

            Mr. Bob, Mr. Steve's customer in Missouri; said the American Car company Lincoln has one of those Sports Utility Vehicles called an "Aviator." He said it used to be built in "Missouri" but now they do it in "Illinois.  The scent of Theodora's Creosote bush floated in over here.          

           I remember that morning when the lady in that Aviator came over to our house.  Daisy and I both noticed how nice it was and had five doors with three rows of seats instead of two.  A Freight Train just now whistled faintly way out there in the northern desert over to my left.                                                       

           EDDIE SPAGHETTI                 

                                

        All of a sudden, for some reason I just thought about that guy Mr. Eddie who plays the drums.  Mr. Steve says if he'd been born without arms he's not sure he'd have the courage Mr.    Eddie "obviously" has.  Boy!  Dais and I would really like to smell Mr. Eddie some day.                

          Mr. Eddie is kind of like Douglas Bader in some ways I think.  Our boss, and others who live around here; always put money in his bucket.  Oh!  This is a good time to write about a guy  named Harry Perry, who I was supposed to write about yesterday but missed on the outline.        

          Dais heard our boss talking with Mr. Mark about Harry Perry, who I guess roller skates around "Venice Beach" playing an electric guitar.  He carries a small amplifier on his back and    wears a turban hat.  Fred, Ed and Ted are flying over Libby's Corral going to the northeast.                                                  

   HARRY PERRY           

                      

            Daisy heard Mr. Harry's religion is "Sikh," and like Eddie Spaghetti; he's one of those "Buskers" I've mentioned. But, he wears his bucket on his back as he skates around on his "In    Line" type skates.  Mr. Steve has the cassette tape he and Miss Emily once bought from him.        

        Because of his religion, under his turban Mr. Harry has long hair.  I'd wear a turban, especially in royal blue; and I think Daisy would look good in a red one.   I've mentioned before  how Mr. Mark over in Hawaii has his one man band called BLUE TURBAN STONE.                   

            Our boss told Mr. Mark about his "Mitsubishi" customer, also Sikh and named Harry; up in Northern California.  Daisy says Mr. Mark likes the red and white "color pattern" on Mr. Harry in Venice's "Stratocaster" guitar.  Oh!  We should invent some skates for us Dogs!                                            

"VENICE," CALIFORNIA "BOARDWALK"    

           

           I guess, from what Daisy heard our boss tell Mr. Mark on the phone; Harry Perry has been skating around Venice since the 1970's.  Mr. Steve and Sandy saw him even back then.  As    I've said before, Mr. Steve  graduated from Sylmar High in 1973, Sandy two years later.                

            Our boss told Mr. Mark he still has Mr. Harry's cassette tape, which he bought back in the mid-1980's.  Daisy says it has a song about time traveling; so that's why Dais thinks I'd like it just for that subject.  Dawn's barking, and I smell Blinky and Rosie standing next to her.              

           Daisy says, like Mr. Mark; Harry Perry's guitar playing seems to be influenced by Jimi Hendrix and Eddie Van Halen.  Mr. Harry was one of the first persons he and Miss Sandy ever    saw wearing in line style roller skates.  Mr. Steve and Miss Sandy went to "Roller Rinks."            

                        

   THE "NATION" OF "INDIA"       

                      

              My Encyclopedia say the Sikh religion began in the 15th century in the "Punjab" area of what is now the "Country" of India.  It says here, the Sikh logo is a "combination" of three    different symbols; and is called a "Khanda."  The scent of Creosote just now floated in.                

          "Singh" is a common last name in India, and is Mr. Steve's customer Mr. Harry's last name too.  Mr. Harry joked it's kind of like how the name "Smith" was here in the United States for a long timer.  Benjamin, with Andy watching him; ran bye in front of the three Sheds.             

         Daisy told me our boss and Mr. Harry one time talked about how a khanda is also an Indian sword.  Mr. Steve bought and then resold a khanda a few years ago.  Hey God!  It says      here Sikh's are "Monotheistic," so that means they believe in You too just like we all do.                    

                   FAMILY                                                                          SLADE                     

        

           Dais says our boss played Harry Perry's cassette for that kid Jason, who said his singing voice sounded like a "bleating Goat."  So Mr. Steve played him songs by FAMILY and SLADE, two 1970's English bands whose Singers also sounded like Goats too.  Heathcliff crowed.               

           Mr. Steve told Jason about he and Miss Sandy seeing SLADE play at the "Starwood" in Hollywood, then played him SLADE'S songs covered in the 1980's by QUIET RIOT.  Daisy told me how she can tell our boss really likes this song by FAMILY called "In My Own Time."            

            FAMILY use flute in some songs Dais noticed, and our boss told Mr. Dave he likes when they play "Vibes."  To see his reaction, Mr. Steve played their song "The Weaver's Answer" for Mr. Dave.  He was so impressed by how fast the Drummer was going on the foot bass drum.                      

RED HOT CHILI PEPPERS   

               

          I guess, from what Dais heard our boss and Mr. Mark talk about; Harry Perry has been used in a few movies and things like that over the years.  He was in this Video by that band from  Los Angeles called the RED HOT CHILE PEPPERS.   I can smell the baby Cholla cactus.            

        Because Sikh men don't cut their hair, Daisy thinks it would be so interesting to see what Harry Perry would look like without his turban on.  He wears all white clothes too.  Smelling the baby Cholla right now is suddenly making me feel really happy and thankful for this day.             

          Someday, I do want to see that RED HOT CHILI PEPPERS Video with Harry Perry in it.  Daisy said it was filmed in Venice for a song called "Adventures Of Rain Dance Maggie," so if I    ever have a band maybe we could even cover it she joked.  I do kind of like to dance alright.            

     JEFFERSON AIRPLANE               THE BEATLES                       CHILI PEPPERS           

         Daisy heard our boss and Mr. Mark talk about that RED HOT CHILI PEPPERS Video with Harry Perry in it.  It shows the band doing a concert up on the roof of a building  in Venice.  Speedy Gonzalez just ran bye out there in the field behind the Sheds and only the dust is left.       

          Mr. Steve thinks the "CHILI PEPPERS" might've gotten the idea to play up on that roof from the BEATLES, who did that in playing together for the last time.  That was in 1969, so Mr. Steve was fourteen.  Oh!  Two what might be boy Lizards are rolling around out in the dirt.         

        Our boss told Mr. Mark he has at times wondered if the BEATLES got the idea for their rooftop concert from the JEFFERSON AIRPLANE.  In 1968 they also did a concert on a roof of a building in "New York City."  Well, it's back to writing about the Second World War again.          

           DOUGLAS BADER / WIFE THELMA                           MR. PHILLIP                                   

PHOTO BY ALISTAIR HEAP                                                                                                                                               

   

          Daisy heard our boss tell Mr. Phillip he thought one reason why guys like Homer Lea, Doug Flutie and Douglas Bader overcame disadvantages was their "supportive" wives.  Douglas Bader's wife "Thelma" believed in him when her family didn't.   I smell a Lizard nearby.             

             Mr. Phillip has read about World War II Pilots like Douglas Bader and Adolph Galland.   He said Douglas Bader could be "somewhat difficult," saying he "I'm here to do a job and not     make friends."   Mr. Phillip said he wanted things to be "spot on" or "exactly correct."               

             I wrote yesterday how our boss met Miss Harriet in the late 1980's when they worked for that lady Miss Thelma at the "San Fernando Sun" local Newspaper.  Mr. Steve's parents knew    her well until she died three years ago.  There's a little Lizard standing out there in the dirt.         

      

MISS THELMA (1918-2011)                                                         MISS HARRIET             

                             

           Daisy heard our boss say Miss Thelma is buried at the "Mission Cemetery" next to her husband of many years named "Joe."  Mr. Steve thinks he was an "honest and decent person,"    who fought in World War II; then became a Police Officer.  Dawn's barking over there.                

          Our boss told his mom in a dream he hugged Miss Thelma, who told him to say hello to everyone.  Like Miss Harriet, she was a good Writer.  To him it was obvious she was a good wife who helped her husband Joe in the same way Douglas Bader's wife Thelma helped him.               

           Boy God!  It would be so bad to have no legs like Douglas Bader.  In 1940 his job was to "Intercept," and then try to shoot down; the German "Bombers" sent over from France.  Aha!  I just noticed a little gray Lizard standing on the wall over there near the sliding glass door.                    

   GERMAN "HEINKEL-111" BOMBERS (1940) 

  

            This one Encyclopedia says, in late 1940; Douglas Bader "confronted" Pilots like Adolph Galland, who "provided cover protection" for the German Bombers.  The German Pilot's main  job was to "fight off" guys like Douglas Bader.  That little Lizard is now doing its pushups.          

           Two pictures shows those German "Heinkel" Bomber flying over England in 1940, and I notice it has two engines instead of just one like a Fighter Plane.  I have a feeling this picture was taken over the city of "London," with the "Thames" River down below.  Dawn's barking.            

         Mr. Steve's father met this guy who told him his Grandfather was one of thirty thousand Polish Soldiers rescued from the beaches of Dunkirk.  Daisy says that guy's Grandfather was a    Pilot, who fought, and was wounded in the Battle of Britain.  Oh!  That Lizard's gone now.          

           

"303RD FIGHTER SQUADRON"

(ROYAL AIR FORCE / POLISH WING / 1940)      

      

            A color picture shows Polish Pilots in front of one of those "Spitfire" Planes.  The caption says they're members of "one of two Polish Fighter Wings," established after the evacuation of    Dunkirk.  The Polish man said his Grandfather met Douglas Bader and "he liked him."               

           Mr. Phillip said in 1940 "initially" there was "prejudice" against those Polish Pilots, until they "proved themselves."  All they wanted was the "opportunity to get revenge" on those who    conquered their country.  Blackbeard and Anne Bonny are flying over Libby's Corral.                  

         It says here that guy Sir Hugh Dowding "admired" the Polish Pilots "courage" in meeting Herman Göring's Luftwaffe in 1940.  I notice again how the Battle of Britain started on July the 10th, Mr. Steve's birthday being on the 9th.   I smell Bravo Company out there in the field.                                           

           "BATTLE OF BRITAIN" (1940)

                              PAINTING BY NIGEL CHILVERS                       

                    

             That man from Poland knew about how in late 1940 the Spitfires were at a disadvantage in "Diving" because their motors had those  "Carburators" I've mentioned before.  The German Me-109's had "Fuel-Injected" engines so didn't "Stall" in "Sharp" or really steep dives.               

             A good painting shows how it looked in the skies over England in the air battles that took place during the Battle of Britain.  You can see explosions going off all over the place behind one of those Spitfires.  Samson and Delilah are flying over the top of the house moving west.                

          I guess, from what that Polish man said; of the one hundred and forty five Polish Pilots who met the Germans in 1940, thirty one died.   His Grandfather was hit in the throat and cheek by that "Shrapnel, tiny pieces of hot metal.  Mr. Cliff still has a scar from a shrapnel wound.                                

      "KAMIKAZE" / "DIVINE WIND")       

              

          This Encyclopedia says in 1940 those Polish Pilots "charged headlong" into the German formations, "displaying fanatical, almost reckless zeal."  Toward the end of World War II five      years later, the Japanese used those "Kamikaze" suicide Pilots.  Heathcliff just crowed.                

           Boy! Because they were losing the war and being pushed back towards Japan, Kamikaze Pilots "gave up their lives" in trying to purposely crash their Planes into the American Ships.  It  worked for a while but then the U.S. armed forces were just too "irresistible" to hold off.              

         Mr. Steve and his dad know about this man named Feliciano Montaño, whose nickname was "Chano."  He was from the town of "Adelino," which Daisy says is near Belén and Jarales    where our boss's parents grew up.  A Car or Truck went bye out there on Primavera Road.                  

                               PILOTS                         "KAMIKAZE"                        (1944)                                                  

                                                                                                                                                                     PAINTING BY JOHN HAMILTON     

    

          In early 1945, that guy Mr. Chano was killed when a Kamikaze Pilot crashed into the Aircraft Carrier he was on.  That Plane had two big five hundred pound bombs still attached to its wings when it hit Mr. Steve read.  Neither body was ever what they call "Recovered."               

             Wow!  According to my Encyclopedia, over "seven thousand" Japanese Pilots died in the last two years of World War II.  Our boss's father thinks it "Ironic" that in 1945 both Feliciano Montano and the Japanese died for, "family, culture and country."  Heathcliff crowed again.       

            Our boss told Mr. Dave in New Mexico's "Hispanic" culture, before "Going to War;" the parents "Bless" the boy by "Reciting" in Spanish, "La bendición, en el nombre de Dios."  That means, "The Blessing, in the  name of God."  The sound of Heathcliff's voice is so strong.                            

  "HAMAS" SUICIDE BOMBER

(FEMALE "JIHADI" WARRIOR)

            In 1985 Haim the Tour Guide talked with Mr. Steve and his dad about how since 1948 those "Palestinians" have been fighting Israel.  They use "Jihadi" suicide bombers who kill their enemies by blowing themselves up with "Explosives" tied to their bodies.  A Crow cawed.             

            Mr. Hussein down there in Sylmar says in Arabic the word "Jihad" can mean either, a "Holy War" fought as a "Sacred Duty" by Muslims or; a "Crusade" for an idea of "Principle."  Later today I'll learn about all the wars Israel's fought since its creation back in 1948.                   

          Over in Israel the Palestinian group "Hamas," a shortened form of this name meaning "Islamic Resistance Movement;" is a "Sunni" Muslim "Nationalist" organization.  They don't    want to be a part of Israel anymore Dais says.  I'll find out about it over the next two days.                         

U.S.S. "LEXINGTON" (1942)

          All of a sudden I just thought of how Miss Sandy's father was a "Gunner" on the U.S.S. "Lexington" during World War II.  Luckily for him, he fought the Japanese early in the war; so there weren't any Kamikaze Pilots yet.  Agh!  It must hurt so much to be shot by a big gun.          

         Daisy heard our boss tell Mr. Ralph how, in New Mexico; at times the parents "Blessed" their sons going to war by saying, "Que Dios te bendiga y te quede."  In English that would be,    "May God bless and take care of you."  Boy!  I'm so glad I have all of my Dictionaries.                 

           It says here Kamikaze Pilots were "Kamikaze Tokubetso Kogekitae" or just "Tokko" for short.  Wow!  That's like how "Nazi" is an abbreviation for the longer "Nationalsozialistische      Deutsche Arbeiterparte" or "National German Workers Party."  I smell some Mesquite.                                 

    BATTLE OF THE "CORAL SEA"  (MAY,1942)

PAINTING BY BRIAN SANDERS                                                                                                                                                                                

       

           A painting shows Japanese Planes attacking the U.S.S. "Lexington" during the "Battle of the Coral Sea," with Miss Sandy's dad shooting back at them.  A photo shows he and others as    they "abandon ship" before the Lexington sinks.  His hearing was never the same after that.        

        Like Mr. Steve's father, I guess Miss Sandy's dad sometimes joked "Nothing makes you focus your attention like having metal flying around you."  As the Gunner, he was also sending    metal at the Japanese Planes attacking the "Lady Lex."  Andy's over there sniffing the air.           

         One time our boss talked about Sandy's father with his dad, and how they both were told what to do if they ever had to jump down into the water from a high distance.  Mr. Steve's dad    had to climb all the way down a tall net in 1951 at "Inchon" Harbor.   I can smell Juniper.                                           

                   "PEARL HARBOR"                                       JAPANESE "INVASIONS"                                              (DECEMBER 7, 1941)                                                                           (EARLY 1942)                                                   

                      

          I've mentioned before how the U.S. didn't enter World War II until December of 1941, when the Japanese did that surprise attack on "Pearl Harbor" in Hawaii.  Then they took over    in "East Asia" and a big part of the "South Pacific" too.  I like this good map that shows it.          

         About five months after Pearl Harbor Miss Sandy's dad was in the "Battle of the Coral Sea,"  It was one of those "Draws" where neither side wins but, a month later the U.S. won at      the "Battle  of Midway;" sinking four Japanese "Aircraft Carriers."  Daffy's quacking.                

         From 1942 through the end of the war three years later General MacArthur's American forces, in a "series of bloody battles pushed the Japanese back to Japan;" through his "Island      Hopping" strategy.  I can smell Dawn, Blinky and Rosie standing over there to my right.              

                      

             "ISLAND HOPPING" STRATEGY                           BATTLE OF "OKINAWA" CAMPAIGN                            (1942-1945)                                                                           (APRIL-JUNE, 1945)                   

                  

         Mr. Steve's father, being a Marine; studied the three month long "Battle of Okinawa."  It happened in April of 1945, the month Hitler committed suicide and the Germans lost in Europe. My Encyclopedia calls the Battle of Okinawa "epic," as the Japanese fought "fanatically."          

         Wow!  On the island of Okinawa the U.S. would "suffer" over 50,000 "casualties," but the Japanese defenders "lost double that."  Boy!  150,000 "civilians" were killed during those three months.  Oh!  Samson and Delilah are chasing another Raven, who looks kind of scared.               

        In 1945 the U.S. Navy used 1500 Ships to attack Okinawa island, which was "vital" to the Japanese who fought "doggedly."  182,000 American Soldiers landed on Okinawa, 75,000 more than used on "D-Day" the year before in France.  A small Garter Snake crawled under Moe.                                  

"IWO JIMA"                                                        "OKINAWA"  

                         (FEBRUARY 23, 1945)                                                                     (APRIL-JUNE / 1945)                            

    

         The famous "Flag Raising" on the island of "Iwo Jima" took place on Mr. Steve's dad's thirteenth birthday, two months before the Battle of Okinawa.  In 2008, when visiting the statue in Washington D.C.; Mr. Steve and his Niece Samantha talked about it.  Heathcliff crowed.          

          Okinawa, three hundred miles south of the "Main" Japanese islands; was of "Strategic" importance to the Americans as an "Air Base" to launch attacks on Japan.  And that's why the    Japanese were so "fanatical" in fighting to stop them.  Kamikaze Pilots were even used.           

         Mr. Steve's father thinks the Japanese on Okinawa, like the three hundred "Spartans" at "Thermopylae" or men inside the "Alamo" in 1836; were trying to give the people up there in      Japan more time to prepare for invasion of the "Main" islands.  I smell the baby Cholla.              

       

   ANTHONY BOURDAIN                                        JAPANESE ISLANDS      

      

           Dais saw an Anthony Bourdain travel episode where he visited Okinawa to eat their food.   It showed how the Okinawan people are different from the Japanese, having their own language and things like that.  Our boss's Niece Stephanie and Mr. Rich like Anthony Bourdain.                  

        An older man on Mr. Anthony's show confirmed what Mr. Steve's father thinks, the men defending Okinawa were committing suicide to "stall for time" so those on the main islands had time to fully "prepare the entire civilian population for total war."  Andy's looking at me.            

    Okinawa, including the people living there in 1945; were kind of like those "Sacrificial Lamb's" I've mentioned before.  Daisy says Okinawan people told Anthony Bourdain how the    Japanese were "brutal."  Mothers holding babies even jumped off cliffs to kill themselves.                           

                    "FAT MAN" BOMB            "NUCLEAR" EXPLOSION            "NAGASAKI" DEAD                                                                                                                                                    PHOTO BY YÕSUKE YAMAHATA       

                  

           Okinawa fell in June in 1945 and, luckily for the American Soldiers; those two "Nuclear" bombs dropped on "Hiroshima" and "Nagasaki" in August got Emperor Hirohito to tell all his Japanese people to surrender.  That saved thousands and thousands of lives.  I smell Sage.           

          Boy!  It's hard to believe one bomb, even though in the picture of "Fat Man" you can see how it was big by the men next to it; destroyed a whole city.  Mr. Dave visited Okinawa when he was in the Navy.  He said a old man called the the battle for Okinawa a "Typhoon of Steel."         

           I can't wait to someday see Anthony Bourdain's travel shows, and also the ones those guys Huell Howser and Rick Steves do.  I guess, Mr. Anthony is good at "Martial Arts," and talked about how "Karate" was created in Okinawa.  He mentioned Karate means "Empty Hands."                      

"MARTIAL ARTS"

                 

        I've mentioned how Mr. Steve's Niece Stephanie and Mr. Rich in Sylmar, are both good Cooks in their Catering business; so like Anthony Bourdain's shows.  Mr. Anthony said Karate    was "created" in the 17th century Dais said.  Libby's walking around slowly over there.                

         From what Dais heard, Okinawa was conquered by some of the Japanese, who "forbade the use of weapons."  That's what Anthony Bourdain said, and he also talked about how Karate  is dual in nature, a "balance" of "hard and soft" techniques.  I smell the baby Cholla cactus.       

       Our boss told Mr. Dave he and his brothers took "Tang Soo Do" Martial Arts.  Anthony Bourdain called Karate's "hard" techniques "linear, closed hand strikes and kicks."  The "soft" ones involve more "open hands, flexible circular blocking and sweeping take down motions."                                            OKINAWAN BULL FIGHTS ("TÔGYÛ")                         "SUMO" WRESTLING                    

     

           Dais was interested when, on Mr. Anthony's show; it showed how on Okinawa they have strength contests between two big Bulls who try to push each other backward.  It's just like the  "Sumo" wrestling they do up in the main Japanese islands.   Heathcliff's Hens are clucking.         

           I guess, from what Daisy heard; some of those Bulls in Okinawa can weigh two thousand pounds, or a "Ton."  A Japanese man told our boss some Sumo Wrestlers weight three hundred  pounds.  When we wrestle sometimes Daisy reminds me of one of those Sumo Wrestlers.              

          The Japanese man said Bull fighting in Okinawa is called "Ushi-Zume," or "Bull Sumo;"  and has been going on since all the way back in the 1600's.  Dais says he also told our boss that in "Portugal" and "Switzerland" are Bull fights "similar" to those in Okinawa.  I smell Sage.                     

"IMPERIAL" JAPAN SURRENDERS 

(U.S.S. "MISSOURI" / SEPTEMBER 2, 1945)

  

         A picture shows General MacArthur, the Soviet and British Delegates behind him; reading something at the Japanese "surrender" on the deck of the U.S.S. "Missouri."  I like the hats the Japanese guys are wearing.  Oh!  It was on September 2, which is Miss Maria's birthday.             

        Dais says Mr. Dave told our boss about the thirty American military "Bases" in Okinawa.  Some people don't mind but other Okinawans told Mr. Anthony they dislike what to them seems "Decadent" Western culture.  Boy!  There is so much green coming alive already this year.           

        Mr. Rich and Steph liked the idea of this place in Okinawa where you buy a live Fish, then take it upstairs and pay someone to prepare it for you "Right then and There" as they say.  Mr. Steve and Miss Sandy went to a restaurant where you did that.  Boy!  That makes me hungry.                     

   1968 CHEVELLE SIMILAR TO MR. STEVE'S                                 MR. RICK                                    

                 

          I just thought of Mr. Steve's two 1968 "Chevelle's," the first dark green one bought for him from Mr. Rick when he was in the 12th Grade at Sylmar High.  It had a "Small Block" V-8 engine.  It's the Car he and that girl "Angela" used to go see the JETHRO TULL concert.            

          Miss Sandy's father, a "Body and Fender" man; liked the "streamlined body design" of 1968 and 1969 Chevelle's.  Our boss and Mr. Rick agreed with him.  In that "Forest" green Car  Mr. Steve and "Monica" drove up to see the GRATEFUL DEAD'S concert back in 1978.              

           Working on our boss's two Chevelle's gave Mr. Tim experience, so he's always had a job since.  The second one, which he got up to having over four hundred Horses in power; was an      "S.S." version with a "Big Block" V-8 motor in it.  Frida and Diego are flying to the northeast.                          MR. STEVE'S 1968 S.S. CHEVELLE

                                                            

          As I wrote yesterday, our boss and friends like Mr. Tim; used to go the "Street Races."  Daisy told me sometimes, "stupidly" he now admits; they drove Mr. Steve's second Car way too fast.  Theodora was running along but then lifted off and is flying out into the back desert.           

          Daisy says our boss told Mr. Rick he "can't even imagine" being in a World War II Plane going over four hundred and fifty "M.P.H."  Their motors had over one thousand "H.P."  I just  noticed Libby over there, and as usual she's walking slowly and carefully around her Corral.       

           Mr. Steve read about a Canadian World War II R.A.F. Pilot named George Beurling.  He was from the "Province" of "Quebec," but in 1948 died helping the new country of Israel fight off the Arab nations who were attacking it.  Smelling Libby makes me feel good right now.                             

GEORGE BEURLING (1921-1948)

  

          A color photo shows George Beurling sitting on the wing of a Spitfire.  Tomorrow I'll learn a lot about Quebec, where George Beurling was born.  Mr. Steve and his Nephew Dalton, who    might want to be a Pilot like his father; talked one time about good eyesight being important.     

         Good eyesight, which our boss and his father have never had; is why that famous Baseball player Ted Williams was such a great hitter.  And, as a World War II and Korean War Pilot; it      helped him a lot too.  Mr. Steve read that George Beurling had "tremendous" eyesight.                 

         It says here George Beurling had the "rare ability" to shoot "into the area" his target was "going into before that target flew into it."  Dais one time heard about "Skeet" shooting, which she thinks might be hunting a type of Bird.  A flock of Birds is flying bye going to the north.                                           

ARTWORK BY AH-AVIATION-ARTS PORTFOLIO 

           

            Dais says, over the years our boss Mr. Steve has met a few Pilots, like Mr. Vic who used to work with him as a "Videographer" in the 1980's and 1990's.   Mr. Vic, like Mark Ritter; knew a lot about the history of Aviation and things like that I guess.   A Train just whistled faintly.            

           That guy George Beurling, because of his age; was rejected a few times to be a Pilot.  But after the British had successfully "Held Off" the Germans by mid-1941; they let him fly Fighter Planes in "Escorting" Bombers over "Nazi Occupied" Europe.  I smell some Arborvitae.              

          One time our boss and Mr. Vic talked about desert warfare in World War II.  Mussolini's Italy had been fighting in Africa since the 1930's but, by mid-1941; had to be "Bailed Out" by      Hitler in North Africa.  That's when Erwin Rommel was sent "To the Rescue" as they say.                                   

 MALTA                                                    NORTH AFRICA   

   ("SUPPLY" ROUTES)                                                            (ERWIN ROMMEL)                    

                   

           Mr. Vic knew, in 1941 George Beurling was sent to the "Mediterranean Sea" island of "Malta;" to help prevent supplies getting to Erwin Rommel's "Africa Korps" in North Africa.    He also protected the British supply Ships in the region.  Two of the Pigeons are flying bye.           

                   Supplying the two sides who fought in North Africa from 1940 through 1942 turned out to be one of the biggest "Factor's in why the British eventually beat Erwin Rommel's troops.  So  Malta was "crucial" to getting things from Europe to North Africa.  Dawn's barking.                   

             George Beurling also was sent to Malta to defend the skies against German Planes trying to conquer the island.  Whoever had Malta controlled the "Supply Routes."  Wow!  It says here    in 1941 the "vital" island of Malta was oftentimes the "most bombed area in the world."                                                            

  CHRISTIAN "CRUSADERS"

("TEMPLAR / "HOSPITALLER" KNIGHTS)    

            

               It says here George Beurling's nicknames were the "Falcon of Malta" and the "Knight of Malta."  A painting shows two of the Christian "Military Orders," who fought the Muslims      during the Middle Age's "Crusades."  The guy in black and silver is a "Malta" Knight.                 

               The caption under the painting says a "Templar" Knight in white and red is on the left.  I guess, those Malta Knights were also called "Hospitallers;" and Daisy heard our boss did line    drawings of those Crusaders crosses as a kid.  Blackbeard and Anne Bonny are flying bye.           

              Mr. Steve and his father know about the Crusades, when European Christians went to Israel to "take back the Holy Lands" from Muslims.  I guess, our boss has replica "blades" from      that period.  A big white and red Templar flag is draped over Mr. Steve's bedroom door.                              

                           BRITISH "FORMATION" OF SPITFIRES              

                    

           I guess, while stationed down there in Malta; George Beurling made one of the greatest "shots" of World War II.  From "great distance" it says here, while in a Spitfire he shot down a  German Me-109.  For a while his boss's didn't believe he did it, "believing it impossible."            

          During World War II at times they put cameras on Planes, and when they looked at the "footage" from George Beurling's Plane; it proved what he said.  At first they had not believed    him.  I see two long white vapor trails crisscrossed way up there in the late morning sky.               

           George Beurling had fired his machine gun into a "Kill Zone" the Me-109 "flew into."  I notice how in Israel he died in 1948 at the young age of twenty seven.  So he was like all of those Musicians in that one "27 Club" I'll learn and then write about tomorrow in my third book.                                                                      BATTLE OF BRITAIN "LOOKOUT"    

              

             Well, it's back to the Battle of Britain, which happened in late 1940 and lasted until mid-1941.  A picture, which kind of looks like it's been painted the way our boss used to do; shows a    guy in regular clothes standing on a roof in London.  Dawn's now barking over there.                    

          The caption says the photo is of a "civilian" using those amazing "Binoculars" like the ones our boss has in his office.  Dais told me GENESIS, who are from England; have this song      called "Watcher of the Skies"  Mr. Steve has a helmet like the one shown in the picture.                

           As I've mentioned, in 1940 the British Air Force was outnumbered by Herman Göring's Luftwaffe.  The British had "Hurricane" and "Spitfire" Fighter Planes to meet all of those "Me- 109's" escorting the big German "Heinkel" Bombers.  Libby's scent just floated in to me.                                  

           "BATTLE OF BRITAIN" (1940-1941)     

             

            A good map shows with black arrows the different "Routes" the German Planes took in 1940 when attacking England.  I guess, at first British Pilots like Douglas Bader had to fly those  "Hawker Hurricanes;" which only had machine guns in them.  I smell some Creosote.                  

      This one Encyclopedia says the German Fighter Planes, those Me-109's; not only had machine guns but also powerful "Canonns" too.  So that guy Adolph Galland and the German    Pilots had the "advantage."  Those Hurricanes were kind of obsolete by the Battle of Britain.       

            Seeing Andy over there makes me think of how, in "defending territory;" Soldiers in war sometimes have to fight "To the Death."  And, in 1940 Pilots like Douglas Bader were willing to do just that in "protecting their homeland."  Daisy and I would do that too if we had to.                                       

       "BRAVO" COMPANY        

                         

           Oh! I just looked up and see Bravo Company over there with their new babies.  You can tell Laverne and Shirley are really protecting their babies by the way they're walking around in  herding their new Spring family.  Now they're all going underneath Moe the middle Shed.            

           Douglas Bader, even though in a Hurricane; was such a good Fighter Pilot he adapted to what he "had to work with" and made "Lemons into Lemonade" as they say.  He used what the Hurricanes had as "Defensive" strengths.   Bravo Company's scent makes me feel good.               

           I guess, in 1940 Mr. Douglas and the other Allied Pilots knew they couldn't "Outdive" or "Outclimb" an Me-109; but Hurricanes could dodge or "Duck and Weave" like a good Boxer.  I'm pretty good at doing that too, which Daisy knows.  Libby just now whinnied over there.                                                                              

               GERMAN "BOMBER FORMATION"  ("HEINKEL-111'S)             

                                                       

            That tv show Daisy saw about Douglas Bader said he used three "Tactics," "approach an enemy from above, have the Sun behind you and; get in close."  In 1940, the Bomber's job was to hit their targets and then escape back over to France.  I smell Bravo Company under Moe.           

           During the Second World War thousands and thousands of men in Planes were killed or wounded.  In doing their assignments and then trying to make their "Getaway" to France a lot    of Germans were "Shot Down" by guys like Douglas Bader.  A little Lizard went running bye.     

           I've mentioned a few times over the last two days how Mr. Steve, when growing up down there in Sylmar; built models.  All were destroyed in the 1971 earthquake.  Daisy heard him tell  his Nephew Dalton on the phone how "many" were Planes from the World War II period.                     

"HURRICANE" (FOREGROUND) / "SPITFIRE" (BACKGROUND)

                              

           A picture shows a Hurricane and Spitfire flying next to each other.  To me they kind of look alike but we heard Mr. Cliff talking about their differences.  Laverne and Shirley are now    leading Bravo Company around the northeast corner of the house over there to my left.                

             I guess, Hurricanes were made out of "wood and fabric;" like World War I "Biplanes."  But Spitfires were steel, so could use more powerful motors; which made them way better for      intercepting the German Bombers.  But they still had to fight against those Me-109's.                    

           When Mark Ritter died Mr. Steve had his book on Spitfires so, he ended up with it.  Dais says it's on one of the bookshelves in our boss's office and he thinks of Mark Ritter every time he sees it.  A small Lizard just ran down the wall, then ducked behind the steel water bucket.                     

           "F.7/30 SPITFIRE"  (LATE 1930'S)   

                         

            Daisy says over the years our boss has shown people who know about Spitfires a picture of the original version.  They're surprised to see how, in the 1930's; they looked more like those    German "Stuka" Dive Bombers than the later Fighter Plane.  I still smell Bravo Company.          

            A Lizard is standing on one of the big boulders around the bottom of the Mulberry tree.  It's sitting perfectly still, absorbing the Sun's late morning energy; the way I am too sitting over here on Elvira.  All the water that was in the basin is now totally absorbed into the ground.          

            In Mark Ritter's book on Spitfires it talks about a guy named Reginald Mitchell; the one who originally "Designed" the Spitfire.  But, my Encyclopedia says he died in 1937; so never got to see his Plane "In Action" as they say.  So he never got to see what all his work had done.                                         

        REGINALD J. MITCHELL (1895-1937)                                MR. PHILLIP                                 

                        

         Mr. Phillip knows about Spitfires, and says Reginald Mitchell was "dead set" on seeing his Plane used; but never did.  Oh!  He was born on May the 20th, also Mr. Steve's Nephew Austin's birthday too.  Over the next two days I'll learn about the Baseball player Reggie Jackson.             

       Five years after World War II ended, at nineteen; Mr. Steve's father "Volunteered" to go fight in the Korean War.  He'd wanted to be a Pilot but his eyesight was not nearly good enough.  I've mentioned before how Daisy says our boss inherited his dad's "Near- Sightedness."                

          It was Dais who explained that being "Near-Sighted" like herself means you can see things close but need glasses for things farther away.  But "Far-Sightedness" is the exact opposite.  Boy God!  Thank You again for giving me such good eyesight for seeing things from far away.                             

TED WILLIAMS (1918-2002)

                                     

           I just thought about that Baseball player Ted Williams, who was also a Pilot like Douglas Bader in World War II.  He later flew Jets in the Korean War.  Daisy saw this tv show that said    he had such good eyesight he saw the "spinning stitches" on a baseball coming toward him.         

        What the heck!  Even though I'm not supposed to write about this other Baseball player named Tony Gwynn right now when I write about the cities of  Long Beach and San Diego, I just feel like mentioning him now as well.  I guess he also has really, really good eyesight too.               

          Daisy heard Ted Williams was not friendly, but he and Tony Gwynn "Got Along" as they say.  Tony Gwynn grew up in "Long Beach," but is now "associated" with San Diego; while Ted Williams played in Boston but was from "San Diego."  Heathcliff just crowed over there.              

             

TONY GWYNN  

   

            I'll go back to World War II in a minute, but now I'll write about Tony Gwynn; who our boss and his brother Sam talked about one time.  Daisy says our boss's customer in San Diego,      and his two sons; met Tony Gwynn and said he's friendly.  The late morning air is so clear.           

           That Parts Manager said at "San Diego State," Tony Gwynn was also a good Basketball player; who the "Clippers" even "Drafted."  But, for twenty years; he ended up playing for the "Padres" Baseball team instead.  Boy!  A statue of him in San Diego calls him "Mr. Padre."         

          Seeing Spring green reminds me of the Oakland A's Baseball team.  Mr. Steve told his brother Sam how their "1970's" Championship teams are good examples of the "whole being      greater than the sum of the parts."  Each player "complemented" one another in the lineup.                                                             

OAKLAND "ATHLETICS" (1970'S)

     

         Like San Diego, "Oakland" is a "Small Market;" making it harder for their teams to compete for players with "Big Market" teams in New York or Los Angeles.  Even before the A's  moved to California in 1968 they were in the small market of "Kansas City."  I smell Sage.           

            Mr. Steve thinks many of the current Major League Players seem kind of greedy.  So, he admires Tony Gwynne being "Loyal" to the city of San Diego and Padres; taking less money to    stay when he could have easily gone to play in a bigger market.  I'm loyal to Piñon Hills!               

           Because their family business had Season Seats for the Dodgers from 1977 through 1989, Mr. Steve's family saw Tony Gwynn play many times.  Ted Williams was the last Player to hit      .400 in one season and Tony Gwynn almost did it a few times too.  Leo and Cleo flew bye.                                                                      

      JUAN RODRÍGUEZ CABRILLO (1497-1543)               SAN DIEGO BAY (1769)                        

               

             Yesterday I wrote about that Portuguese guy Juan Rodríguez Cabrillo, who worked for the Spanish; and helped Córtez conquer the Aztecs.  In 1542, the same year Coronado explored    New Mexico; he was the first "European" to see "Alta" California.  A Train whistled faintly.       

             Dais says our boss's customer said Tony Gwynn liked a place called "Spanish Landing" in "San Diego Harbor," where Mr. Steve and Miss Sandy walked around.  It's where, in 1769;      Father Serra's group first "Settled" in "Upper" California.  Samson and Delilah flew bye.           

             I mentioned in book one how "Cabrillo," although Portuguese; was born in the Spanish "Province" of "Córdoba" and may be buried on Catalina Island.  Mr. Steve and his mom saw a  wooden Ship like the one he sailed up here in 1542.  Boy!  They made a stamp with him on it.                                                 

       TED WILLIAMS / TONY GWYNN (1999)                   STEPHEN STRASBURG                                               

           Daisy says the Parts Manager in San Diego said, at the 1999 "All Star" game; that guy Tony Gwynn held Ted Williams up as he "Threw Out" the ceremonial "First Ball."  By then Ted Williams was totally blind and died a short time later.  A little gray Lizard went running bye.       

           When Tony Gwynne "Retired" from Baseball he "Coached" for his "Alma Mater" San Diego State.  One of his players was a Pitcher named Stephen Strasburg who's now in the Major Leagues.  I've mentioned before how Miss Emily went to San Diego State for a few years.              

         After Tony Gwynn's "Playing Days" ended, he was almost immediately elected into the "Hall of Fame;" like Ted Williams having gotten over "three thousand hits" and retiring with a    "career .300 average."  Mr. Rick called Tony Gwynn an "intelligent" hitter.  I smell Sage.                                            

SAN DIEGO  

   

        Looking at the bright green Arborvitae bush about ten feet away, in the dirt near this Patio; I'm suddenly thinking about the Oakland A's again.  I'd really like to see a Baseball game someday as Dais thinks I'd probably like it.  Oh!  Donald and Daisy are quacking over there.       

          Our boss and Mr. Rick talked about "Pittsburgh," like Oakland and San Diego; being a small market; their teams can't "financially" compete with the "Franchises" in New York and    Los Angeles.  Tony Gwynn played on many bad teams.  Hearing Ducks makes me feel good.         

         Mr. Steve was told Tony Gwynn has cancer and might even die soon.  I guess he himself thinks he got mouth cancer because he chewed tobacco.  As a kid, in New Mexico Mr. Steve once  tried to chew tobacco but spit it out quickly; and has never ever wanted to do it again he says.                                                        MR. STEVE'S FATHER (ON LEFT)                                                 "OCEANSIDE"                                        

                                                                                                                         PHOTO BY CHRISTIANNA SILVA 

                         

           Oh!  This seems a good time to write about the city of "Oceanside," which is to the north of San Diego; and where a place called "Camp Pendleton" is located.  I was scheduled to write    about it in book one but missed it on the outline.  So I can just insert it in right here instead.        

       Daisy heard Camp Pendleton is where Mr. Steve's father did what they call his "Basic Training," or "Boot Camp;" before going to fight in the Korean War.  Over the years, he and      Mr. Steve have visited Camp Pendleton.  All four of the Pigeons are now flying bye.                       

          My Encyclopedia says Camp Pendleton, in 1942 during World War II; was "established" and is about "200 square miles" in size.  It's a "Amphibious" training base, where in 1951 Mr.    Steve's dad learned to go from a big Ship onto land.  In Korea he "landed" at "Inchon."                   

"INCHON" LANDING                                      MACARTHUR'S PLAN

         This good map shows how, after the North Koreans tried to conquer South Korea in 1950; General MacArthur's "Daring" counter attack plan caught them by surprise.  He got behind the North Koreans and "Cut them Off" by landing at that Harbor in Inchon.  I smell some Sage.       

       Mr. Steve's dad was not in General MacArthur's first more famous 1950 landing, but he "Went In" at Inchon in early 1942.  There was "no enemy resistance," but it was still dangerous to "Disembark," and you could get badly injured if not careful.  Dawn's barking over there.        

        A lady from Oceanside once told Mr. Steve's dad how, "for a few years;" her town "went down."  But it's "a lot better now" she said, and the Tourists again go there "because of how nice it is."  Mr. Steve and his father ate lunch a few times near the beaches down in Oceanside.                                               CAMP "PENDLETON"    

                                                                                                                                     PHOTO BY SANDY HUFFAKER       

              

          Dais says the lady from Oceanside told our boss a lot of people still work inside of  Camp Pendleton.  "For the last sixty years" it's been northern San Diego County's "biggest employer" she said.  In 1942, before World War II; there were five thousand people living in that area.          

          Anyway, back to the Battle of Britain in 1940.  Daisy heard that guy Mark Ritter once met a man whose Grandfather knew Douglas Bader and said, because he was very often "in physical  pain;" he was at times "irritable and impatient."  All four of the Pigeons are now flying bye.        

      That guy told Mark Ritter Mr. Douglas "had one advantage" over Pilots with legs.  In a "Tight Turn" the "blood rushes to your feet," but in his case; it could only "flow" to his knee       stumps."  This helped him to "Evade" those Me-109's flown by Pilots like Adolph Galland.                                                      

 CHURCHILL INSPECTS BOMB DAMAGE (LONDON /1940)

     

           As I mentioned before, in 1940 at first the Germans bombed only Air Fields and things like that; but once that German Plane accidentally bombed London by mistake; then Winston Churchill bombed Berlin right back.  After that both sides bombed cities.  Heathcliff crowed.       

           Mr. Steve's father thinks it's a good thing the Germans switched to bombing cities when they did because it gave the British time to repair their Air Fields.  If they had destroyed the Air Fields England might've lost and many people knew it.  Hey God!  Did You cause that?                 

           One time, when she and Millie were in our boss's office; they saw a book with the title of "Operation Sea Lion" on a bookshelf.  My Encyclopedia says Operation Sea Lion was the name given to Germany's plans for the actual invasion of England.  I do like Heathcliff's voice.                

OPERATION "SEA LION" (1940)

 

           This map shows what Germany planned to do if they had sent troops across the English Channel to conquer England.  Mr. Steve told his father it's pretty amazing how much "detail" is in the plans for taking and then "occupying" England.  But, it never ended up happening.            

           In 1940 Pilots like Douglas Bader, with the help of Radar; bravely fought the Germans over England.  Many died, Winston Churchill saying, "Never in the field of human conflict was    so much owed by so many to so few."  Boy!  It would hurt so much to be shot by a bullet.              

        Once Herman Göring's Luftwaffe "changed focus" to bombing cities like London, the "Blitz" period began.  I guess, it lasted for months; and there was a lot of fighting up in the skies over England.  Samson and Delilah are flying bye right now, moving toward the northeast.                                  

  FANNIE AND FREDDIE

                  

           Oh!  I just glanced up and noticed Fannie and Freddie sitting on one of the branches of the Mulberry tree.  I didn't even see them fly in, but they were probably out in the back desert;    and are taking a break from looking for food.   You can really tell how they're best friends.           

        I just thought of how, because he didn't want to "give away" that part of the German "Enigma" Code had been "cracked" or "broken;" Winston Churchill had to let that big city of    "Coventry" be bombed.  So, a few thousand people died.  I can smell Fannie and Freddie.            

            When the British  didn't "Give Up;" Hitler decided he had to hurry up and go attack the Soviet Union before they got too strong.  Wow!  It says here, during World War II; over a million English "structures" were "destroyed."  Fannie just cawed at me over here on the Patio.                       

              THE BEATLES                                                              LIVERPOOL                       

                     

          Our boss and Mr. Phillip once talked about the BEATLES' John Lennon being born in that city of "Liverpool" as it was being bombed during the Blitz.  Being a "Port City" Liverpool  was a big target of the German Luftwaffe.  Mr. Phillip has been to Liverpool a few times.             

           Daisy says our boss and Mr. Phillip have talked about that guy Douglas Bader, who was shot down over France and captured later in the war.  Boy!  It would be so bad if ever our house was bombed so I hope Piñon Hills is never in a war.  Fannie and Freddie just now flew away.        

          Mr. Steve sold things to an older man who knew a lot about World War II Planes.  Daisy and I listened as they stood on the cement slab in front of the garage talking about that German  "Fighter" the "Focke-Wulf 190," or "Fw-190."  A Train just now whistled faintly to my left.                    

        FOCKE-WULF "F 190"        

     PHOTO BY STEVE CÓRDOVA     

                      

         We heard that man say he thought that "Focke-Wulf " was "one of the best" Fighters of World War II, and "had it existed in 1940" the Battle of Britain "might've ended differently."  I  guess, in German its nickname was "Wurger;" or "Strike" in English.  I smell Juniper.                

         Mr. Steve took pictures of a Focke-Wulf at an "Air Show" he and his friend Tim went to one time.  The Focke Wulf wasn't "operational" until August of 1941, so was used in Germany's  invasion of the Soviet Union.  Tomorrow I'll learn more about advanced German technology.       

          As good as the Focke-Wulf was, Mr. Steve read Adolph Galland said "except for flying at high altitude;" he actually "preferred" the Me-109.  Models he built of both Planes as a kid, in      1971 were destroyed by that Sylmar earthquake.  Andy's looking over here in this direction.                              

OPERATION "BARBAROSA" (JUNE, 1941)   

        

           This map shows when, in June of 1941; Germany invaded it's until then Ally the Soviet Union.  England had withstood the Blitz so Hitler, creating a war on two fronts; "initiated" what would be the "biggest in scale" war in history.  Two Crows are fighting out in the back desert.     

           Yesterday I wrote about how, from June until December of 1941; Germany killed about three million Russian Soldiers while capturing an equal amount.  Hitler thought it would be one of those Blitzkrieg's, but he was wrong; and it became a "war of attrition."  I smell Mesquite.      

          I just looked up, and see a beautiful midday blue sky; some puffy clouds and two vapor trails up there.  I smell Able Company out there in the back field behind the Sheds  Boy!  There's nothing better in life than taking in a full breath of fresh air through both of my two nostrils.                            

PEARL HARBOR (DECEMBER 7, 1941)

                                                       

           I'm looking at that December 7th, 1941 photo of when the Japanese did their surprise attack on the U.S. "Pacific Fleet" in Hawaii at "Pearl Harbor."  That's when we entered World War II on England's side, which made Winston Churchill very happy.   Heathcliff crowed.           

              By December of 1941 Hitler's Nazi Germany was almost conquering Stalin's Russia, but England now had two big allies to help it fight against the three countries of the Axis Powers.  I'll bet Winston Churchill so "relieved."  A small flock of Birds is flying over Libby's Corral.             

           Daisy says a man on this tv show said, up until the end of 1941 President Roosevelt had helped Winston Churchill's England; even though most Americans did not want to get into the    war.  He did this program called  "Lend-Lease."  Libby's scent just came floating in to me.                                          

          ADMIRAL HARRY E. YARNELL (1875-1959)             

               

           In 1941 the U.S. was "Caught by Surprise" at Pearl Harbor, but Daisy says our boss's father thinks that "seems suspicious."  He read about a Navy Admiral named Harry E. Yarnell, from the State of "Iowa;" who had been warning about it.  Speedy Gonzalez zoomed bye.             

         The tv show said on February 7th, 1932 Admiral Yarnell, who fought in the "Spanish-American War" of 1898; did a "combat exercise" and proved Pearl  Harbor was "Vulnerable." Mr. Steve's dad was born on February 23rd in 1932.  A street in Sylmar is named "Yarnell."        

             Oh!  My Encyclopedia says Admiral Yarnell was born on October 18th, and died on the 7th of July.  I've mentioned a few times how, Mr. Steve's brother Rock's birthday is on the 17th of October; while our boss was born on July the 9th.  Libby just now whinnied over there.                                       

 AIRCRAFT CARRIER "U.S.S. LEXINGTON"      

        

           It says here Admiral Yarnell's 1932 "empirical demonstration" showed that Airplanes, "launched" from the "deck" of an "Aircraft Carrier;" could be "very effective."  But, he was      totally ignored.  Oh!  Admiral Yarnell commanded the U.S.S "Lexington" during the 1930's.        

          Boy!  Too bad Admiral Yarnell was "disregarded" but, I guess some Japanese guys like Admiral Yamamoto "took note" of those "War Games."  I've mentioned how Miss Sandy's dad  was "Gunner" on the Lexington, or "Lady Lex."  Ants are marching bye on the Patio floor.         

          Mr. Steve and Miss Sandy's father discussed Admiral Yarnell, and also his time in World War II.  I've mentioned how, in May of 1942; he'd fought in that big "Battle of the Coral Sea."    When the Lexington was sunk he escaped but his hearing was "Impaired" from then on.              

    

    METALLICA                                    AC/DC                                    NEIL YOUNG        

  PHOTO BY HENRY DILTZ                            

     

         One time Dais heard our boss and Mr. Dave talk about a Magazine article they both read concerning Musicians who have lost "some or all of their hearing."  I guess, the METALLICA'S  Drummer is one of them; and so is AC/DC'S second Singer.   I'm glad I have good hearing.           

        Daisy says Mr. Steve read how that guy Neil Young also has bad hearing now, and so does the WHO'S Guitarist.  There's a band called BLACK EYED PEAS Daisy told me, and that one    Magazine article said one of them has bad hearing.  Blackbeard and Anne Bonny flew bye.           

        I just thought of how that guy Beethoven went "Deaf" in his twenties, and that smart girl Helen Keller; was born unable to hear and see as well.  Boy God!  Thank You for my ability to      smell.  Our boss's dad also now has bad hearing from his time in the Korean War Dais says.                       

  "BOXER" REBELLION"                 HOMER LEA                   "GREAT WHITE" FLEET       

(1899-1901)                             (1876-1912)                              (1907-1909)       

             

           My Encyclopedia says Admiral Yarnell "took part" in the "Boxer Rebellion" I mentioned yesterday in writing about that little Hunchback Homer Lea.  He fought in the Philippines after the U.S. "acquired" them from Spain after the "Spanish-American War."   Dawn's barking.        

         Admiral Yarnell, in 1907; served in President Teddy Roosevelt's "courtesy" voyage of the "Great White Fleet" to parts of the world.  That fleet of white Battleships were supposedly sent    in "Friendship," but many think the real purpose was to "intimidate."  I smell Binky.                   

       It says here President Roosevelt used to say this old African Proverb, "Speak softly, but carry a big stick."  Mr. Steve carries a pole made out of hard wood when he walks around out there in the back desert.  Oh!  Now little Blinky's barking too, which I really like hearing.                                                      

"CHIPS"   

     

           I remember the time when Mr. Randy visited us and our boss told him about "Yarnell" Street down in Sylmar.   In the 1970's they filmed that tv show "Chips" in Sylmar, about those    two "California Highway Patrol" Officers.  Two of the Pigeons are flying to the northeast.            

           Dais thinks because my favorite color is blue, especially royal blue; I would like the blue and gold helmets they wore on Chips.  A "Staging" are for Chips was on Yarnell Street right next to the "#210" Freeway I've mentioned.   A Freight Train whistled faintly over to my left.               

          Our boss told Mr. Randy Chips filmed scenes on that #210 Freeway "before and after it was opened to traffic."  When it was closed, and Mr. Tim was working on his first Chevelle; he    and Miss Sandy walked home from Sylmar High on that empty freeway.  I smell Juniper.             

                                             

CHIPS (SYLMAR IN THE BACKGROUND)

      

          I just thought of that time, after it had been "opened to the public;" when our boss and Mr. Tim were driving fast in Mr. Steve's first 1968 Chevelle.  They "Sped" right into that is area where the Chips "Film Crew" was at.  Samson and Delilah just flew over the top of the house.     

           Our boss told Mr. Randy how, "at first" he and Mr. Tim thought they were what's called "Busted;" until they realized it was only Actor's wearing Highway Patrol uniforms.  That area they drove into was at the bottom of the #210 Yarnell "Off Ramp."   I smell Andy over there.       

         Mr. Steve says he was "lucky" that time because, "If they had been real" Highway Patrol Officers; he would have gotten a "very expensive ticket" for dangerous driving.  Well, it's back to learning about World War II for me.   Based on the shadows, it's now just after  mid day.                                         

         CHARLES LINDBERGH (1902-1974)                         KENNEDY FAMILY                                

         

         Tomorrow in book three Daisy has me scheduled to write about pre-Second World War American "Isolationism," when most Americans did not want to fight in World War II at all.  A  big group was called the "America First" party.  Oh!  Theodora is running bye right now.            

        Guys like the Pilot Charles Lindbergh, and Joseph Kennedy Sr.; were members of that America First organization.  They wanted the U.S. to "stay out" of the war, believing Germany    was going to win.  But then in 1941 the Japanese did that surprise attack at Pearl Harbor.            

           By the time of Pearl Harbor in late 1941 there had been fighting going on in Africa since the late 1930's, when Mussolini's Italy invaded Ethiopia.  But Hitler then had to  "bail him out"  because the British were doing good against the Italians.  I smell some Spring Mesquite.               

             

       ERWIN ROMMEL                               SAMANTHA / MISS PEGGY   

        

         At first, in 1941 Erwin Rommel did really good in North Africa; but eventually lost.  I'll write more about it in few minutes.  I've mentioned how Erwin Rommel shares November the      15th as a birthday with Mr. Steve's Niece Samantha, so they're both "Scorpio's" in Astrology.      

          Our boss's father's best friend Mr. Ivan knows a lot about "Espionage" and "Deception" in World War II, and says that Writer Ian Flemming was right "in the thick of things."  Now I'll look up and write about this thing that happened in 1943 called "Operation Mincemeat."             

           By mid-1943 the British, with a lot of American help; finally beat Irwin Rommel's "Afrika Korps" in North Africa; so then wanted to "invade Italy" to the north.  And it was decided to do it on that island of "Sicily, where those Italian-American gangsters came from.  I smell Sage.                                                    

"MEDITERRANEAN" SEA REGION    

                           

            In World War II Francisco Franco's Fascist Spain, even though Hitler and Mussolini had helped it win the civil war in the late 1930's; was what they call "Neutral."  But the Allies knew  Franco was secretly helping the Germans by giving them information.  Dawn's barking.               

          Later today I'll learn how the Allies beat Rommel in North Africa but, once they did; the German Generals thought they would either attack Italy or Greece.  So, as Mr. Ivan said that one time; it became a "guessing game."  I can smell Blinky and Rosie standing next to Dawn.       

         My Encyclopedia says, to "deceive" the Germans and Italians about the "location" of the next attack; a dead body was "floated" off of Spain's coast in Operation Mincemeat.  A briefcase with fake but "supposedly valuable" documents was attached to one of the wrists.  I like Dawn.                                                 

OPERATION "MINCEMEAT" (1943)      

                             

         I guess, in 1943's Operation Mincemeat that one British Spy Agency "MI6," which Ian Flemming was an Agent of; hoped Spain would find the body and open up the briefcase.  Inside,  documents said the Allies would attack Greece; which "misled" the Germans.   I smell Sage.        

           To Spain it just looked like a Plane had crashed offshore and killed the man.  It says here Operation Mincemeat was "successful," Axis forces being "shifted" to Greece; so the Germans    and Italians were tricked.  Two of the Pigeons are flying bye moving toward the northeast.           

           Dais says Mr. Ivan described Ian Flemming as being a "lateral" thinker.  He also used the term "out of the box."  Ian Flemming's "007" James Bond books were "not successful" until it    was learned President Kennedy said he'd read and liked them.  A Train just whistled faintly.                         

JAMES BOND (AGENT #007)                                    MR. IVAN                         

                                                                                     

           I looked up the word "Corpse," which means a "dead body."  Daisy heard Mr. Ivan joke, in 1943; there was "no shortage" of dead bodies MI6 could use in Operation Mincemeat.  A long line of Ants is marching bye down there on the Patio floor near Miss Emily's old coffee table.       

           My Encyclopedia says, in 1943; the British went to "great lengths" as they say to convince the Germans that the body "washed up" in Spain was real. The Plane they crashed in the Ocean was even the exact same type they knew the Germans would have "expected" to see then.             

           When it comes to "tricking" someone our boss thinks, it's best to get the person to believe what they "already want to believe."  In 1943 the German "Intelligence Agency," or "Abwehr;"  already thought the Allies would attack either "Sardinia" or  "Greece" from North Africa.                                                                      BERNARD MONTGOMERY / GEORGE S. PATTON

                                                   

           I'll learn about how the Allies took Sicily in mid-1943 later, when I write about those two guys George S. Patton and that British General Bernard Montgomery.  They both did good in      North Africa and later Sicily.  But they were "Competitors" who really hated each other.              

          This Encyclopedia says, in Operation Mincemeat the British even "planted" a picture of that dead man's "supposed" girlfriend; and receipt for their wedding ring.  Adolf Hitler and the German High Command completely "fell for it."  They thought Greece was "the target."             

         Yesterday, when I wrote about Hang Gliding in Sylmar; I mentioned a tv show from the late 1960's called "Hogan's Heroes."  Our boss and his friend Chris really liked it, and Dais and  Millie saw a few episodes.  There's a half circle-shaped vapor trail up in the midday sky.               

                    

        HOGAN'S HEROES            

                    

           According to what Dais says, Hogan's Heroes is about a World War II "Prisoner of War" camp where Allied Pilots are prisoners led by "Colonel Hogan."  It's a "Luft Stalag," which  my German Dictionary says means a "Pilot's Camp."  Benjamin the Cow Bird just ran bye.               

          In that show Hogan's Heroes the prisoners are actually spies "gathering Intelligence" and "doing sabotage" from inside the Prison Camp.  Daisy told me how that guy Colonel Hogan is so smart and always "outwits" the camp's German "Commandant."  Heathcliff crowed.                   

          Dais told me the prisoners in the Camp are so talented and clever in fighting the Germans.  And they do it right "under the nose" of that bumbling Commandant named Colonel Klink, and Sergeant Schultz the camp guard.  "Schultz" always says, "I know nothing.  I see nothing."                                                                                   

             SERGEANT SCHULTZ / COLONEL KLINK              

                                           

           In Hogan's Heroes some of the prisoners are American Dais says.  One is a French Chef  named "Le Beau."  That guy Richard Dawson, who I mentioned yesterday Mr. Steve, Sandy and Chris met up at the Hang Gliding area in Sylmar; plays the part of a British "Safe Cracker."     

           Daisy says the Prison Camp's "Radio Operator" is a black American.  Together, all of the different prisoners trick Colonel Klink; especially that guy "Hogan" who's so smart I guess.   It  would be so great to be thought of as being smart like the way Mr. Peabody is now in 2014!          

         "P.O.W." is an abbreviated way of saying "Prisoner of War."  I wonder where they would send us captured Dogs during the time of a war?  If we were ever in a jail during a war I know    for sure Daisy, being such a good digger; would definitely try to escape and I would help her.                        

"HOGAN'S HEROES"

          

            Dais told me about the one episode of Hogan's Heroes where Hogan and two of the other P.O.W.'s wore black S.S uniforms as disguises.  Two of them had on shiny black helmets exactly  like the helmet our boss has near the fireplace in the living room.  I can smell Penstemon.             

           In each episode" that guy Colonel Hogan does something to help the Allies win the war I guess.  My Dictionary says "Sabotage" means "deliberate destruction," which is what Hogan's    men do in blowing up Trains and Bridges.  Sometimes they help other prisoners to escape.            

         One time, when Daisy and Millie were in our boss's bedroom; they heard him try to play drums along to a song called "Sabotage" by that British band BLACK SABBATH.  It's a good    song Dais says.  Mr. Dave likes playing along to some of the BLACK SABBATH songs too.                                                                                              

         CHRISTINE GRANVILLE (1915-1952)            

        

          Mr. Steve once met a man who told him about this World War II Polish girl Spy named Christine Granville, who in World War II worked for British Intelligence.  Her real name was a long Polish name.  Daisy says the man said "in times of war" French people us fake names.          

         The man told our boss French Soldiers "alias names for protection" are called "Nom de Guerre" or "War Name."  I just thought of how, in Spain and Italy; some people put "de" in the front of their last names.  A little Wren carrying a long twig in its mouth went running bye.          

           Mr. Ralph read some people from France put "dis" in front of their "surnames."  So, just like in Spanish or Italian; that would mean either "from" or "of."  Daisy told me how some of      our boss's parents best friends is a couple from New Mexico whose last name is "de Córdova."                                             

CHRISTINE GRANVILLE

       

             That Polish girl Christine Granville was like Hogan's Heroes in "disrupting" German Supply lines in "occupied" France and her country too.  I hear some of the Ducks quacking over there next door.  And, as usual; Daffy's voice seems much louder than all of the other Ducks.        

              My Encyclopedia says Christine Granville's "daring exploits" for the British "S.O.E.," or "Special Operations Executive;" helped beat the Germans in World War II.  She was in the "French Underground," or "Resistance."  I smell Bravo Company out in the back desert.            

              Daiy told me it's so funny how Colonel Hogan always outsmarts Colonel Klink and that other guy Sergeant Schultz.  Speedy Gonzalez, using the right vertical gate slot; just ran out into the desert.   It's such a miracle how he never hits his head on the steel pipes on either side.                                             

HOGAN'S HEROES

 

           Sergeant Schultz has to "Keep an Eye" on the prisoners; is "way to nice and friendly" to be a Prison Guard Dais says.  In fact, at times, like the three Monkeys saying "See no Evil, Hear no Evil, Say no Evil;" he even "Turns a Blind Eye."  A dirt road nearby is named "Schultz."       

         Daisy told me how in Hogan's Heroes the prisoners, in helping fight the Germans; "just pretend to be captured."  They "could escape any time they want," even having a secret tunnel.   Colonel Klink brags about there never having been an escape from his camp.  I smell Sage.         

          From what Daisy says, Colonel Klink is not very smart.  Supposedly the main reason he got his job was because his Uncle was Heinrich Himmler's barber.  As I wrote yesterday in book one, Heinrich Himmler was the "feared" leader of Adolph Hitler's "Dreaded" S.S. units.                                

 HEINRICH HIMMLER (1900-1945) WITH ADOLPH HITLER 

        

           Tomorrow I'll learn about the "Holocaust," when six million Jews were killed during the Second World War.  Heinrich Himmler was the one most responsible person for what in Hebrew is called "Sh'oh," meaning "Calamity."  Holocaust is Greek for the term "Burnt Offering."         

       Boy!  It's too bad Jews and Mormons have often been so persecuted.  Hey Lord!  Some people don't like Jews just because they have never accepted You as the "Messiah."  Mr. Steve      and his dad think there are people in all cultures who "simply like violence for its own sake."       

        In Hogan's Heroes the "Prison Camp" is for captured Allied Pilots, but "Death Camps" were for killing people.  Dais and Millie saw a tv show that said prisoners were first gassed, and  then their bodies were just burned or "Cremated."  Crows are fighting out in the desert.              

              

                  MAJOR HOCHSTETTER                              GENERAL BURKHALTER                               

          

          Daisy says our boss likes the authentic uniforms and "Stereotyped" images of Nazis on Hogan's Heroes.  Major "Hochstetter" the "cold-blooded Gestapo Agent," and this one General named "Burkhalter;" are often impatient and irritated with Colonel Klink.  Dawn's barking.      

        Instead of glasses, Colonel Klink wears just one round glass piece; which Dais heard is called a "Monocle."  I guess, that's a stereotyped image of a high class "Prussian" German; but  "Klink" is what Mr. Ralph one time described as being a "Goofball."   A Lizard just ran bye.      

         Major Hochstetter and General Burkhalter often can't figure out how someone so dumb, like Colonel Klink; could be a Camp Commandant.  They know something is wrong with there    never having been an escape from his Stalag, but can't figure out why.  I smell Arborvitae.                     ,      

COLONEL KLINK PLAYS VIOLIN 

       

           According to Daisy Colonel Klink's Uncle also cut Kaiser Wilhelm's hair.  Oh!  No wonder Colonel Klink got such a good job, as Kaiser Wilhelm was Germany's leader during World War  I.  Mr. Steve thinks the Writers of Hogan's Heroes "knew a lot about the two world wars."           

         On the tv show Colonel Klink is a bad violin player, but in real like Werner Klemperer who plays Klink is a great Violinist.  Daisy heard Mr. Ralph tell our boss how his father was "one of    the most famous Orchestra Conductors in Europe."  Blackbeard and Anne are flying bye.            

      Mr. Ralph thinks, Werner Klemperer did such an "amazing job" of playing a "nerdish" Nazi;" he got what's called "Typecast." After playing that part so well no one could ever imagine him as anything other than "Klink."  So it was kind of hard for him to get other jobs later.                                 

     BEVERLY HILLBILLIES                                                 GET SMART                      

          

           Mr. Ralph thinks Don Adams as "Maxwell Smart;" and Max Baer Jr. playing "Jethro Bodine;" did such "good jobs" they also became typecast.  Mr. Steve and his father met Max Baer Jr. in Las Vegas a few times.  A Train whistled faintly way out there in the desert.                  

             I'm scheduled to learn about Max Baer Sr., a famous 1930's Great Depression era Boxer who was "Heavyweight World Champion."  Mr. Steve's father told his son Max Baer Jr. he met his dad in Albuquerque one time.  I've mentioned how Mr. Ralph is like a Boxing Historian.         

          Another reason Dais suspects Mr. Steve likes Hogan's Heroes and the Beverly Hillbillies is because of this girl who plays Colonel Klink's secretary "Helga," and "Elly May" on the Beverly Hillbillies.  They kind of look like Miss Sandy Daisy thinks.  I smell a Lizard around here.                                                                                                                                                     "HELGA" (HOGAN'S HEROES)                                     MISS SANDY                     

                      

          Whether one is "handsome" is "Subjective" but, like Mr. Randy joked; as long as the person you're with likes you that's "all that matters."  Mr. Steve thinks he's ugly but Dais and I   like how he looks.  But then again, we'd like him "No matter What" as that old saying goes.        

            Mr. Ivan, who met his wife while in the military "Stationed" in post World War II West Germany; read about Werner Klemperer.  His "demanding" father was that famous Classical music Conductor.  Mr. Ivan's wife is also named "Helga" like the girl on Hogan's Heroes.             

            I guess Werner Klemperer was like the Boxing Ring Announcer Jimmy Lennon Jr. who I wrote about yesterday.  Mr. Steve says both are "talented," but will always be "compared" to their fathers; which is "hard to measure up to."  Samson and Delilah are flying to the east.                               

   JIMMY LENNON JR. / MIKE TYSON / JIMMY LENNON SR.                                       LENNON SISTERS                                                                    PHOTO BY STEVE CÓRDOVA                                                                                                                                                                                          

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         

          I just thought of that guy Jimmy Lennon Jr., who's father I guess was so talented at being a Boxing "Ring Announcer."   Daisy heard Mr. Ralph and our boss talk about how "Jimmy Sr." died back in 1992.  Mr. Steve's father thinks both father and son seem like "decent people."         

         Daisy says one of Mr. Steve's parents favorite tv shows is that "Lawrence Welk Show."  It was from the 1950's and 1960's and has a lot of music on it.   Jimmy Lennon Jr.'s Aunts, those    LENNON SISTERS; sang on it all the time, and Daisy thinks I would really like them a lot.         

        Mr. Steve's parents, back in the early 1960's; used to dance at the Hollywood Palladium as they filmed the Lawrence Welk Show.  Yesterday I mentioned how they also enjoyed 1940's and 1950's type "Big Band" type music there.   Ah!  The mid-day air is now so clear and beautiful.        

     "TRUJILLO"                     LAWRENCE WELK                    "CÓRDOVA"        

                                                                                                                             

            I just thought of that warm morning last Summer when our boss and Miss Susan talked about the Lawrence Welk Show.  As he filled up the water basin below the Mulberry tree over      there Miss Susan told him how she and her parents "loved that show."  Heathcliff crowed.           

      Our boss told Miss Susan he still thinks "fondly" of visiting New Mexico as a kid, and watching the Lawrence Welk Show with his Grandparents.  He once told Jimmy Jr. about it and you could see how proud he was of his family.  They made people feel happy for a while.               

          Mr. Steve once talked to his mom about that happy Rhêma feeling some music can make you feel.  They both believe, "The Living Word" can also be interpreted to mean that "uplifting sense of temporary happiness" music can "Evoke."  I smell some of the Beavertail cactus.                          

               VENICE                                                        JIMMY LENNON JR.

                                                                                                                                                                         PHOTO BY STEVE CÓRDOVA

     

             Daisy says our boss and Miss Harriet once saw a band called VENICE play.  Most of the members were relatives of Jimmy Lennon Jr., two being the younger brothers of the LENNON    SISTERS.  Miss Harriet thought, like their sisters; they had really good "harmony" singing.        

          I guess, VENICE took its name from the "West Los Angeles" area they're from.  Daisy heard the Lennon family are Roman Catholics like us, and those LENNON SISTERS did their    first Lawrence Welk Show in 1955, the year our boss was born.  Libby just now whinnied.            

           Mr. Steve was told VENICE'S mix of Folk, Rock and Soul music is "popular in Holland." Like with those brothers in the BEE GEES, the guys in VENICE grew up in a "singing family."   I've mentioned how, like his father; our boss doesn't like to sing even though his mom does.                

                                  MUHAMMAD ALI                                

     

           Daisy says our boss told his friend Mr. Grant how, on a "small scale;" he's kind of like those two guys Werner Klemperer and Jimmy Lennon Jr.   As I wrote in book one, back in the    1970's and 1980's; Mr. Steve's dad was an important person in Sylmar.  I smell Arborvitae.          

           Mr. Steve thought it was kind of funny when Mr. Ralph read him a quote by that Boxer Muhammad Ali, "No matter how old you are or how much you've accomplished; to a certain      extent your father sees you as still the same dumb kid."  Frida and Diego are flying bye.               

          Well, the next thing on my second outline is an old 1964 movie our boss likes called "The Great Escape."  Daisy and Millie saw it I guess that guy Steve McQueen, who was in "Bullit;" is in it.  It's about this Second World War prison camp like the one shown in Hogan's Heroes.                                                              "THE GREAT ESCAPE"  (1964)                               

                                                                                                                                                                                                              PHOTO BY RONALD GRANT                           

                                                                                              

        From what Dais says, that movie The Great Escape" came out in the 1964; when our boss was nine years old.  Like Hogan's Heroes, it's also about a World War II "Luft" Airforce P.O.W. camp.  Daisy says it's about the Allied prisoners digging a long tunnel in trying to escape.             

        Oh!  Just as I'm thinking about tunnels, who should I notice but Andy over there sniffing the air; in protecting he and Helen's burrow with their babies down there inside.  Daisy told me how our boss's parents liked The Great Escape movie, especially his dad.  Heathcliff crowed.       

        Just like that funny show Get Smart was "probably inspired by" the James Bond movies, Dais  thinks the idea for Hogan's Heroes came from The Great Escape.  It has good scenes where Steve McQueen rides Motorcycles.  Boy!  How could anyone have invented a Motorcycle?                                                       STEVE MCQUEEN                                           MR. PHILLIP                 

                    

          Mr. Phillip liked that movie The Great Escape, where Steve McQueen is so impatient and doesn't want to wait for the other prisoner's to finish their tunnel; stealing a German uniform      and Motorcycle.  He tries to sneak out of the P.O.W. camp.  The shadows say it's after mid day.    

         Dais heard Mr. Phillip say when Steve McQueen tried to break out of the prison camp, he rode a "Triumph" motorcycle; "painted to resemble" a 1940's BMW.  Daisy heard our boss's      Nephew Mathew did that "Motocross" type bicycle racing called "BMX."  I smell Sage.               

         Our boss likes movies, like Steve McQueen's "Bullitt" for example; where Motorcycles or Cars are used to do those "Stunts."  Daisy says in The Great Escape, on that Motorcycle; Steve    McQueen does some amazing "jumps" over fences.   I'm about halfway through this day.                                                                                                                    

"THE GREAT ESCAPE"                                MR. DOUG / WIFE SUSAN

                           

         Mr. Doug down in Sylmar, who works on French "Citroen" Cars; knows about  BMW Motorcycles.  He said, unlike most Actors Steve McQueen did his own Stunts; and in The Great Escape also played the part of the German chasing him too.  Heathcliff crowed over there.           

         Our boss told Mr. Doug his brother Rock and that Motorcycle riding "Daredevil" Evel Knievel were both born on October the 17th.  Daisy says Evel Knievel jumps over things, but he  crashed at "Caesar's Palace" in Las Vegas.  Mr. Doug said he at times rode "Triumphs."              

         Dais saw this good tv show about Evel Knievel.  She says you "can tell" by the clothes he wears in his stunts he's really proud to be an American, and thinks I would like his mainly blue    uniform.  Rudy the Roadrunner, with Andy watching him; jogged bye in front of the Sheds.                                                                                                "EVEL" KNIEVEL (1938-2007)         

       

           One of Miss Babette's customers in the State of "Montana" told her Evel Knievel's real first name is "Robert," so people just call him "Bob;" and his family is German.  Mr. Steve has known guys named Robert, called Bob; over the years Daisy says.  Andy's looking at me.              

            I guess Evel Knievel grew up in Montana.  Dais heard our boss tell Mr. Dave, before the recession he had more customers in Montana; but now "has only one left."  For a few years, he    worked with "Bowen;" a Parts  Manager in "White Fish."  He knew about Evel Knievel.             

            A squeak coming from underneath Jack the big Shed probably means Goliath has caught a Mouse hiding there.  And Fannie and Freddie must've heard that squeak too, because they just flew in fast and landed up on Jack's roof.  Crows really love to eat Mice and also Snakes too.                               

CAESAR'S PALACE IN LAS VEGAS  

  (EVEL KNIEVAL JUMPS OVER FOUNTAIN / 1967)

 

              Daisy says back in 1967, when our boss was twelve; Evel Knievel tried to jump over a big fountain at "Caesar's Palace" in Las Vegas.  But, I guess he didn't make it; so crashed hard onto the ground.  Fannie and Freddie are hoping Goliath doesn't know they're up there on Jack.         

         I wrote yesterday how Caesar's Palace, which Mr. Steve and his father visited a few times in the early 1990's; is one of those gambling "Casinos."  I just thought of that round casino out there in "Avalon" on "Catalina" Island.  I smell Fannie and Freddie, who are looking at me.        

          One time our boss's dad joked about how nowadays you cannot use the word "Gambling," but have to call it "Gaming."  Because he, Mr. Steve and his brother Rock were involved in that field for a few years so "knew the numbers;" they tell people not to gamble.  Libby whinnied.                         

CORNELIUS BOZA EDWARDS / BOBBY CHACON   

  (CAESAR'S PALACE / MAY 15, 1983)           

                       

             I just thought of Mr. Bobby, that Boxer from "Pacoima" who our boss and his dad tried to help back when he was almost homeless.  Daisy says, in 1983; Mr. Bobby fought in one of the    most famous fights at Caesar's Palace.  Even though badly cut, his courage won him the fight.     

         As I wrote yesterday, Mr. Bobby was "World Champion" twice; first in 1974 and then again in 1982.  According to what our boss and Mr. Ralph talked about, he has "brain damage"  from Boxing and also taking drugs.  Mr. Steve wrote a book about him in the mid-1990's.             

           That Singer Ritchie Valens was also from Pacoima just like Mr. Bobby.  They both went to public school at "San Fernando High," which is where Mr. Ralph went to as well.  I just glanced up to see this extending half circle shaped vapor trail way up there in the now midday sky.                                   

MR. RALPH                                                MR. GARY   

                                         

           I've mentioned before how Mr. Ralph, and Mr. Gary the Barber; are kind of like Boxing Historians.  Mr. Ralph has known Bobby Chacon since High School, while Mr. Gary met him in the 1970's.  Our boss and his father have gotten some haircuts from Mr. Gary Daisy heard.          

         Daisy says on the walls of Mr. Gary's San Fernando barber shop are pictures of Boxing, some of which Mr. Steve took.  One is of Mike Tyson by himself, others with the Lennon Ring      Announcers and Chick Hearn the Broadcaster.  Two of the Pigeons flew over Libby's Corral.       

           Our boss also gave Mr. Bobby a copy of that picture he took of Mike Tyson, from the time  when he sat next to Mike Tyson at "ringside."  I'll write more about that night over the next two  days.  Mr. Mark over in Hawaii has talked with Mr. Steve about that one night at the Forum.                                           

BOBBY CHACON / RAFAEL "BAZOOKA" LIMON   

(SACRAMENTO, MAY 11, 1982)         

                 

          Our boss and Mr. Gary talked about this famous 1982 fight Mr. Bobby had with his big Mexican "Rival" Rafael "Bazooka" Limon.  Daisy says on the "Wide World of Sports," it was    shown on "National" tv by "A.B.C.;" and was "Fight of the Year."  I can smell Arborvitae.          

          Anyway, I'll come back to Bobby Chacon, but now I'll write a little bit more about Evel Knievel.  Miss Babette's customer in Montana told her he tried to "shoot himself over" this big    River there one time.  A little Wren carrying a long twig in its mouth went running bye.                

          I remember that morning when Mr. Randy joked, "It's so ironic" Evel Knievel is "more famous for his failed jumps."   One was that time in Las Vegas, but another crash was when he    missed a jump in England in "London's" "Wembley Stadium."  Mr. Phillip saw it I guess.           

   

EVEL KNIEVEL MISS'S JUMP

(LONDON / "WEMBLEY" STADIUM / MAY 26, 1975)

               

           Mr. Steve knows a "Piano Technician" named "Bernard, who's tuned piano's in that big Wembley Stadium.  Wow!  The caption below this picture of Evel Knievel crashing says he holds  the "Guinnes Book of Records" for the most broken bones in one body.  A Train whistled.            

           "Since moving up here to the desert" our boss told Miss Babette, the bones he broke as a kid "hurt more" during Winter.  He thinks Evel Knievel "must've had a lot of pain" in the cold    weather.  Dais says Mr. Steve met a guy who saw Evel Knievel do a jump up there in Barstow.      

         I'm almost done with this fifth chapter and, in looking at my outline;" I see there's still a little bit more to write about World War II.  Judging by how the shadows are now beginning to    lean toward me over here on the Patio, I'd say it's almost twelve thirty.   A Lizard ran bye.                     

"MEDITERRANEAN" SEA CAMPAIGN (1943)               

                                         

           In November of 1942, in "Operation Torch;" the Americans invaded "northwest" Africa and then "moved east" to help the British trap Erwin Rommel's Afrika Korps in between them.  Then they invaded that Italian island of "Sicily" after Operation Mincemeat.  I smell Andy.         

          After fooling the Axis Intelligence into thinking they were going to invade Greece, partly through Operation Mincemeat; in July of 1943 the Allies attacked Sicily.  General Eisenhower, as in the taking of North Africa; was "In Charge" so to speak.  I hear some Sparrows singing.          

         Daisy has me scheduled to learn about the American "Mafia" and "Organized Crime" in the next chapter.  I've mentioned before how Sicily is where the "Mafia" originated, before being "exported" over here to the United States in the late 19th century.  Frida and Diego flew bye.                                      

"INVASION OF SICILY" (JULY, 1943)  

                                      

             A good map shows how the Allies successfully invaded Sicily in 1943.  Oh!  The caption says the campaign began on July the  9th, our boss's birthday; and "ended" on August 17.  Mr. Steve's mom was born on August the 20th.  Max the Hummingbird just now whizzed bye.            

             Those guys George S. Patton and Bernard Montgomery, because of how good they did in defeating Erwin Rommel's "Afrika Korps" in 1942; were "put in charge" of the two Allied Sicily invasion armies in 1943.  Crows are screaming and yelling at each other out there in the field.      

           Daisy told me General's Patton and Montgomery didn't like each other, and in fact even hated each other.  They were very "competitive" according to what it says in this Encyclopedia.  Two long and slowly extending vapor trails are crisscrossed way up there in the midday sky.                                   

GEORGE S. PATTON (1885-1945)

          

             I guess General Patton grew up here in California, and I notice he got to have three stars on the front of his helmet; which Daisy says means he was really important.  Mr. Steve has a few  helmets like that in the living room.  Boy!  I'd want some stars on a helmet if I ever have one.       

           Another picture shows General Patton sitting on a white "Lipizzan" Horse, like the ones our boss saw at the Forum in the 1980's.  Tomorrow Daisy has me scheduled learn about those    beautiful all white "Austrian" Horses.  Ah!  Libby's nice scent just came floating in to me.            

         "Patton," like Robert E. Lee and Ulysses S. Grant; went to that "Military Academy" at "West Point."  Before the U.S. entered World War I, he and Douglas MacArthur fought down in Northern Mexico against Pancho Villa.  I'll write more about that over the next two days.                                                       

   WORLD WAR I  (1814-1818)     

     PAINTING BY MARK BEERDOM             

   

             America "entered" the First World War in 1817, my Encyclopedia saying there had been "bloody" fighting for three years.  A painting shows British and German Soldiers trying to stab  each other with those bayonets, like the ones Mr. Steve has inside his office.  Libby Whinnied.      

            Well, it looks like this is the end of chapter five, even though I'm tempted to find out more about that guy General Patton now.  But, I'll just wait and do it according to the schedule Dais    and I made.  Smelling Libby right now is making me feel so happy to be here in Piñon Hills.         

            I'll mainly learn about World War I tomorrow, but will probably mention it again today too.  I can use Barry, Robin and Maurice to hide everything and go drink some water and stretch my legs out.  Ah!  Bravo Company is walking around out there in the field behind the Sheds.