Book 3 Chapter 3

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  III                

     CHAPTER 3            

8:30       

       

           

FLOCK OF BIRDS    

     

              I'm back from going pee over there in the northwest corner of our fenced in two acres.  As I went pee a flock of Birds went bye up there in the mid morning sky.  I'd say it's about nine thirty judging by how the shadows look from here on Elvira.  I wish Heathcliff would crow.

              Thank Everyone up there for helping me not think about Heathcliff so much, but I still have ten more hours to go so will need a lot more help.  It looks like in this chapter I'll be writing about the Spanish exploring the "New World."  No Saturday cartoons for us today I guess.

             Boy!  It's so amazing how good I'm getting at hiding all of my materials under Elvira's three cushions and my three blankets.  And I'm now convinced I'm right-handed in writing as I just feel way more comfortable in that way.  I can't wait to go up front to visit with Daisy.

        

"FREIGHT" TRAIN

                   A Train just now whistled faintly over there to my left, way out there in the desert to the northeast.   Andy's sniffing the air to make sure Goliath or Cher aren't around to try to get he and Helen's babies down there in the burrow.  Boy!  It would be so great to hear Heathcliff.

             In looking over this book three outline I see that in chapter three I'm going to find out a lot about the three centuries in the "New World" after Christopher's first voyage of discovery in 1492.  And it looks like Daisy also has me scheduled to write about the sport of Baseball too.

            That Train whistled again and this time you can really tell how it's much closer and going bye over there near the Aqueduct taking water down to Los Angeles.  I'll just say a quick Hail Mary and begin.  I guess I now know for sure we're not going to watch Saturday cartoons. 

                                                                                      

   HERNÁN CÓRTEZ'S ROUTE TO TENOCHTITLAN (1519)

     

                Well, here I go learning more about how amazing it was when in 1519 Hernán Córtez and his men conquered the Aztec, or "Mexica" Empire.  As I've said, our boss and his father think it was very important. I really like the map showing the route "Córtéz" took to "Tenochtitlan."

             In my books I've mentioned how Córtez sailed from Cuba only with permission to trade and explore the mainland of Mexico.  But then Cuba's Governor Velázquez even "revoked" that order.  But Cortez just totally ignored him and that's why he sank all of his eleven Ships. 

             Our boss told Mr. Grant, being a Lawyer Córtez established the town of "La Villa Rica de la Vera Cruz," set up a "City Council;" and had them give him permission to do whatever he wanted.  Mr. Grant thought that was funny according to Daisy.  Frida and Diego flew bye.

    

 CÓRTEZ LANDS IN MEXICO    

   

          I've mentioned before how La Villa Rica de la Vera Cruz means "The Rich Village of the True Cross."  Hey Lord!   Dais and I really like that name.  Once Córtez established his town he then decided to take his army of men and move inland and go see the city of Tenochtitlan.   

        As I wrote the day before yesterday on Thursday, in 1847 the American military invaded Mexico and generally used Córtez's same route to take what was then and is now "Mexico City." That man William Wing Loring took part in that invasion.  He lost his arm in Mexico City.          

          General Winfield Scott's American Army, three centuries later in 1847; marched all of the way to Mexico City.  That guy Santa Anna tried to hold them off in a series of battles along the way but failed.  Andy's over there sniffing the air and that's because Cher just went bye.

                                                                                                                  WINFIELD SCOTT (1786-1866)                                                  

      

        I just thought of that guy General Scott who, like Robert E. Lee; was from the State of "Virginia."  But during the American Civil War, unlike Lee; he remained loyal to the Union.  I    love how those epaulette things look on the shoulders of the different uniforms back then.            

            Daisy thinks, just like the chapters on the Mexican War, Civil War and World War II; if I do a good job learning and writing about Córtez's Aztec conquest and Spanish exploration of the New World our boss will be impressed.  Then he'll like me even more.  Boy! I can't wait!               

        Hey Blessed Mother!  I'll just say a quick Hail Mary, asking You for help; and then start finding out about what happened back in 1519.  All four of the Pigeons are flying over Libby's      Corral over there.   Now they veered from going north to moving together toward the east.                          SPANISH / AZTEC WARFARE        

                                                                                                                           ARTWORK BY ANGUS MCBRIDE                                            ARTWORK BY KIM MACQUARRIE                                                                                                                                                                      

               

            I've mentioned how that guy Córtez's name can be spelled in a few different ways, but I want to use Hernán Córtez with an accent like in our name "Córdova."   In 1519, after he sank his Ships, in moving inland he fought three battles against the "Tlaxcalans."  I smell Sage.  

           Daisy and Millie saw a tv show about the Aztecs.  It said, after they lost those three vicious battles; the Tlaxcalans made an alliance with Córtez against the Aztecs.  It was like the "Crow" and "Arikara" Indians helping George Custer against the "Sioux" later in the 1870's.

          The Tlaxcalans hated the Aztecs and Córtez, a Lawyer who could convince people; said it was "In their Best Interest" to join him.  They had felt the killing power of Spanish weapons like Arquebus guns, crossbows, canons and steel spears.  They also had metal helmets and armor.

   

"VAPOR TRAIL"

 

               One time our boss and Mr. Ralph talked about Córtez's conquest of the Aztecs, and a time when he massacred Indians called "Cholulans."  Dais told me the tv show said he did it when he found out they were going to "ambush and kill" the Spanish.  He "Pre-Empted" them.

          Mr. Ralph says some think the real reason Córtez slaughtered the Cholulans was to "make the Tlaxcallans happy."  Dais heard the Tlaxcalans really hated the Cholulans for having killed an Ambassador, who they had skinned and cut of his hands.  So they wanted to get revenge.

         Córtez probably also wanted to "send a message" to that guy "Montezuma" Mr. Steve and his father think.  Córtez knew the Aztec leader, inside the city of Tenochtitlan; was "keeping a close track" of the Spanish.  Genghis Khan would have killed those Cholulans too I'll bet.  

                          

         HERNAN CÓRTEZ (1485-1547)            MONTEZUMA II (c. 1466-1520)            

                                                                                                                                          PAINTING BY ANTONIO RODRIGUEZ        

     

           When Córtez and his Conquistadors had first arrived on the eastern coast of Mexico Aztec spies ran back to Tenochtitlan and told the "Emperor" Montezuma about it.  They  described    "strange white-skinned" men in "floating Castles."   Some people call him "Moctezuma."            

        I guess the Aztecs, like the Spanish in their own way; were very superstitious.  They had a prophecy story about how in the year "One Reed" the God "Quetzalcóatl" was going to return, and it just so happened 1519 was that year.  So Montezuma thought Córtez might be a God.         

          Then Montezuma heard the strange white people had "thunder weapons," which of course meant cannons; and those primitive "Arquebus" muskets I've written about.  Oh!  I just looked up in time to see Rudy run out into the desert.  He used the right vertical gate slot to do it.   

          

SPANISH HORSE (1519)  

        

           Mr. Steve lent Mr. Ralph that book "The History of the Horse in War," and he liked the chapter about those first sixteen Horses who landed in Mexico with Córtez.  I've written about how Horses had long gone extinct in North and South America by 1519.  Dawn's barking.

          Daisy says our boss told his mom about a lady he met from the country of "Guatemala," which is south of Mexico.  The lady said "Quetzalcóatl" was, "among other things;" the Aztec God of "wind and learning."  She said he's "represented" as this "Feathered Serpent."   

         That lady told Mr. Steve about those colorful "Quetzal" Birds, the "National" Birds of her nation; and also the name of their money too.  When our boss showed her the big Condor feather she was totally blown away by its size.  Quetzal Birds are often green or blue Dais heard. 

                       

  "QUETZAL" BIRD       

   PHOTO BY HEIKO KORHRER-WAGNER                                                                                                                                                                          

   

         Oh my God!  Some pictures in this one Encyclopedia show some of those Quetzal Birds and they are really colorful alright.   Not only are they bright green or blue, their chests are red; and I notice how long their tails are.  The lady said Guatemala's flag has a Quetzal Bird on it. 

         Daisy heard the lady tell our boss how, just like around here with the Finches; girl Quetzal Birds aren't as colorful as males.  Girl birds don't want to attract attention because they're the ones who have the babies Dais thinks.  Oh!  Finley and his new girlfriend Fanny flew bye.  

         I've mentioned before how, because the boy Birds have to "Compete" for the "Right" to be with the girl Birds; they want to attract attention.  It's like what that guy Charles Darwin said. Females want to acquire "Genes" from the best or strongest male to produce better babies.  

     

   FRANCISCO PIZZARO (1471-1541)

  

            Daisy says that lady from Guatemala told our boss she's been told Córtez was Francisco Pizzaro's Cousin.   He'd never heard that but knew Pizzaro was originally from the Spanish town of "Trujillo," which he told her is his mom's maiden name.  She knew people with that name.

           "Pizzaro," about ten years after Córtez beat the Aztecs; led the Spanish in the conquest of the "Inca's" down in South America.  The lady knew the town of Trujillo was in central Spain, in the State of "Extremadura."  Hearing the Hens right now is making me think of Heathcliff.    

               After Columbus landed in the Caribbean Ocean at that island he called "Hispaniola," in 1492; the Spanish then took over other islands like "Cuba."  It was from Cuba that Córtez had sailed for Mexico on the mainland.   Boy God!  It would be so good to hear Heathcliff.

                       

COLUMBUS'S "FIRST VOYAGE" (1492)

  

                   By 1519 the Spanish had colonized many of the Caribbean Sea islands and were sending out Ships to explore the mainland to the west.  So obviously Córtez, who was kind of important in Cuba I guess; was aware of any information that came back.  I like how Hens sound.

            I've mentioned those two Conquistadors who just happened to have the name Francisco Hernández de Córdoba.  One scouted the "Yucatan" peninsula in mainland Mexico, the other is called the "Founder of Nicaragua."  It's too bad he ended up having his head cut off.  

           One time our boss told Miss Karin at work how "de" in a name means "from" of "of."  I mentioned before how both Francisco de Córdoba's were born over in "Córdoba" Spain.  The first one was badly wounded fighting those Indians in Yucatan and then died back in Cuba.

 FRANCISCO HERNÁNDEZ                  FRANCISCO HERNÁNDEZ 

                              DE CÓRDOBA                                            DE CÓRDOBA                                 

                           (c.1467-1517)                                              (c.1475-1526)                              

   

                    Daisy says our boss met a lady from that Central American country of "Nicaragua."  She noticed our last name, said in Nicaragua the "dinero" or "money" is called "Córdoba;" and how Francisco de Córdoba's image is on the paper currency.  She knew he was "beheaded."   

                  I've mentioned how the Francisco de Córdoba who fought in Yucatan was a friend of that Franciscan Priest Bartolome de las Casas.  He died about two years before Córtez was sent over to Mexico.  A small Garter Snake is using the left gate slot to go out into the back desert.   

            I guess both of the Francisco de Córdoba's knew Cuba's Governor Velázquez, who didn't like Córtez at all from what Daisy heard.  She says Mr. Dave one time joked Governor Velazquez "probably sent Córtez to the mainland just to get rid of him."  Frida and Diego flew bye. 

                 

                     CORTEZ EN ROUTE                 (1519)                         "CENTAUR"

            Daisy told me the tv show mentioned Montezuma knew Córtez, with his Indian allies; was moving toward Tenochtitlan.   A painting shows them on the way, with one Spaniard on a Horse.   A flock of Birds is going bye way up there in the sky, and I smell the baby Cholla cactus.

           I've mentioned before how, in 1519 no indigenous person had ever even seen a Horse so; "you can imagine what they thought" Mr. Ralph said.  Some Indians thought they might be like one of those "Centaurs" from the old Greek story.  Others thought they were big Deer.

          Mr. Steve and his mom saw an ancient Greek statue of a half man half Horse Centaur at the "Getty" Museum near the beach.  Dais heard them talk about the old myth story about that half man half Bull "Minotaur."  Edith Hamilton wrote about Centaurs and Minotaur's. 

         

  "TENOCHTITLAN"  

 (LAKE "TEXCOCO")   

                                                                                                                                  PAINTING BY LUIS COVARRUBIAS                                                                                                                                                                        

           Boy!  When I look at the picture of Tenochtitlan I can't believe it was an actual city built right on a large Lake!  It was like that Italian city of "Venice."  No wonder the Spanish thought they were dreaming when they first saw it from up on that mountain.  Dawn's barking.    

          I've mentioned before how Daisy and I both think, if he could borrow Mr. Peabody's time machine; our boss would want to be standing up on that mountain looking down at Tenochtitlan in 1519.  I can smell Andy over there guarding the burrow entrance.  Leo and Cleo flew bye.

         Mr. Steve's parents have visited "Mexico City" before.  It's built on top of what used to be Tenochtitlan and is now one of the biggest cities in the world Dais heard Mr. Ralph say one time.  Mr. Ralph was born in Mexico City and still goes down there on visits pretty often I guess.

      

"TEOTTIHUACAN" RUINS 

            I just thought of of "Teotihuacan," that old city near Mexico City.  I wrote about how on that trip to Mexico City our boss's parents took his brother Sam and sisters to see it.  His brother even climbed up to the top of an old temple according to what Daisy and Millie heard.

           On Thursday in book one I talked about that guy William Prescott, who in 1843 wrote his book "The Conquest of Mexico."   It was about Córtez and those Conquistadores who ended up defeating the Aztecs in 1520.   It's kind of amazing how William Prescott was blind. 

          Mr. Steve read in William Prescott's book how the Spanish Soldiers thought at first they were seeing an illusion when they stood up on the mountain and looked down at Tenochtitlan.  It was like seeing a magical sight from up there I guess.  Blackbeard and Anne are flying bye. 

    

WILLIAM PRESCOTT (1796-1859)

        

             In my first book the day before yesterday I wrote how that guy William Wing Loring had a copy of William Prescott's book in 1847.  A part of General Scott's American invasion Army, who fought their way toward Mexico City; he read about 1519 and 1520.   A Train just whistled.

          This one Encyclopedia says William Prescott was from "Massachusetts," near Connecticut where Mr. Steve's sister lives with Dalton and Austin.   He went to "Harvard" College at the age of fifteen and, like Mr. Steve's mom; graduated "Magna Cum Laude."  The air is so clear!

          Mr. William's Grandfather fought in the Revolutionary War, and he's the "first American scientific historian."  He also wrote about Pizzaro's conquest of the Inca's.  His wife helped him because he had bad eyesight, but he probably had a "photographic memory" Dais heard.   

  

WILLIAM WING LORING (1818-1886)

              Over the last three days I've learned about that man from "St. Augustine" Florida named William Wing Loring, who was a 19th century Soldier over over fifty years.  Mr. Steve studied him in College.  Feeling the clear air right now is making me feel good.  Thank You God! 

           William Wing Loring fought in the "Seminole," "Mexican" and "Civil" wars, then went over to Egypt to work for the "Ottoman" Empire and the "Khedive."  I've mentioned before how during the Mexican War he carried a copy of William Prescott's book.  Dawn's barking.

           Retracing Córtez's steps in 1847, going to Mexico City; Loring read about the conquest of the Aztecs.  I've written before how in 1876, the same year of "Custer's Last Stand;" he fought in "Abyssinia."  Loring shares December the 4th as a birthday with our boss's Niece Stephanie.

CHARLIE COMPANY

            

                  Oh!  I just glanced up and see Charlie Company out there in the dirt behind the Sheds.  And now their scent came floating into both of my nostrils, which for some reason makes me feel a little better about Heathcliff not being around here anymore.  Tomorrow will be so weird.  

            Daisy and Millie heard Mr. Ralph say some think in 1519 there were about two hundred and fifty thousand people living in Tenochtitlan.  That's bigger than any city in Europe so Córtez and his men were probably totally amazed.  Samson and Delilah flew over Libby's Corral.

          Mr. Ralph borrowed our boss's copy of William Prescott's book about the conquest of the Aztecs, and really noticed what a "talented and thorough" Writer he was.  Mr. Steve told him, if  he could time travel he'd like to spend an afternoon with Mr. William.  Boy!  And me too!              

MONTEZUMA II MEETS CÓRTEZ (1519) 

             A good painting shows when Córtez's Conquistadors went down the mountain and met that guy Montezuma.  I notice standing next to Córtez is "Doña Marina," that one girl who those "Tabascos" Indians gave to him as a Slave; but ended being his interpreter.  I smell Sage.

            Doña Marina was that girl's Spanish name but, as I've said before; Mexicans call her "La Malinche."  "Mal" is the word for "bad" in Spanish.  In the painting Montezuma is wearing a hat with green Quetzal Bird tail feathers.  He's probably looking at all the Horses I'll bet.

            Over the last three days I've mentioned our worker Mr. Esteban.  As they ate lunch on the driveway that time, Mr. Steve told him about the Shoshone girl "Sacagawea;" who translated for that "Lewis and Clark" expedition.  Mr. Esteban says Doña Maria is not liked in Mexico. 

    

"QUETZALCÓATL"

                                              ARTWORK BY DAN STATEN                                                                                                              PHOTO BY MARCELOSAN                                                    

 

                 Oh!  I just noticed how I forgot to mention a few things about that God Quetzalcoatl, the Snake with feathers.  My Encyclopedia says, before the Aztecs; Quetzalcoatl was worshipped by the Toltecs and Mayans who "associated" it with the Planet "Venus."  Dawn's barking. 

             This is kind of interesting.  It says here Quetzalcoatl gave the Aztecs corn, or what they call "Maize;" which was really important for "their very survival."  Quetzalcoatl symbolized the "duality" of things, the serpent representing the "physical, the Bird "spiritual aspects."  

             When the Spanish and their Indian allies got to Tenochtitlan I guess at first the Emperor Montezuma even kind of welcomed them.  He'd been sending them gifts but unfortunately for him, some were made of gold and silver; which only made the Spanish greedy.  I like Dawn.

    

TENOCHTITLAN (1519)

                    In some ways the Aztecs were more "Technologically" advanced that the Spanish.  But in warfare they weren't, so "In the Final Analysis" that turned out to be what mattered the most.  I glanced up to see Benjamin run bye in front of the Sheds, but he's now flying to the north.  

             Daisy says the tv show said once inside Tenochtitlan the Spanish saw how "advanced and wealthy" the Aztecs were, and "were much impressed;" but seeing it only made them even more greedy.   A Train just whistled faintly way out there in the northern desert over to my left. 

            Hey God!  I've written about the time when that St. Ferdinand's classmate of Mr. Steve's asked Sister Rita Joseph if it was okay to pray for wealth.  She said yes but don't be surprised if You granted their wish as a "curse or "double edged sword."  Daisy agrees with her on that.

   

     FLOCK OF BIRDS    

   

            Hey God!  Mr. Steve's father thinks, maybe 1519 was a good example of what Sister Rita Joseph told that kid at St. Ferdinand's; especially on La Noche Triste.  The weight of the gold and silver the Spanish Soldiers had caused them to drown.  Oh!  What a bad night that was!

            Mr. Ralph one time talked about how, once inside Tenochtitlan; Córtez kind of captured Monteuma and held him as a prisoner.  He even became friendly with many of the Spanish men around him.  But the Tlaxcalan's were not comfortable and distrusted the Aztecs I guess.

            Daisy says the man on the tv show mentioned how, because what Córtez did was illegal; the Governor of Cuba sent men to capture or kill him.  In mid-1520, inside Tenochtitlan; news came of their arrival back at Vera Cruz on the coast.  Samson and Delilah are flying bye. 

PANFILO DE NARVÁEZ (c.1470-1528)

                  Mr. Ralph really liked how that guy William Prescott described Córtez's conquest of the Aztecs.  Córtez left about one hundred Spanish Soldiers in Tenochtitlan, and then he left for the coast; to meet the party from Cuba.  They were led by a man named Panfilo de Narváez. 

                I guess, from what Mr. Ralph said; Córtez caught the Spanish from Cuba "by surprise."  A few were killed but, because he was so good at convincing people to do things; he got them to join him.  Daisy told me the tv show said that guy Narváez "lost an eye" to Córtez's men.

           Once he told the Spanish Soldiers from Cuba about how they could get really rich if they helped him, they joined him.  So now he had a lot more modern weaponry and Horses to use.  Up in the sky I just now noticed two long and extending vapor trails moving to the northeast. 

                         

     AZTEC "SACRIFICE" RITUAL        

ARTWORK BY PIERRE JOUBERT        

      

            One thing the Spanish didn't like about the Aztecs is how they did "Human Sacrifice."  I guess, when Córtez got back to Tenochtitlan; he found a total disaster.  The men he'd left behind had slaughtered and killed a lot of Aztecs and war had broken out.  Boy!  I miss Heathcliff.

           This man named Pedro de Alvarado was the guy left in charge when Córtez went out to the east coast.  He, being a Catholic like us; "didn't understand" the Aztec celebrations at all and was "really paranoid" Mr. Ralph read.   I smell the new baby Cholla cactus over there. 

           Mr. Ralph thinks seeing the Aztecs sacrificing people might have just given that guy Pedro de Alvarado "a convenient excuse" to not care about them.  It made stealing or even killing them a lot easier.  But he miscalculated and "Set Off a Hornet's Nest" as Mr. Steve's father says.  

    

    "LA NOCHE TRISTE" (JUNE, 1520)

PAINTING BY ARTURO LIMON

              It says here, when Córtez and his men got inside Tenochtitlan they were trapped.  They even tried to make Montezuma calm the Aztecs down, but the people threw rocks at him and he died.  A small Garter Snake is now using the left gate slot to go out into the eastern desert.

             Mr. Ralph and our boss's father think it's possible, once they knew Montezuma was "no longer of any use to them;" Córtez just had him strangled to death.  But then they had to break out of Tenochtitlan on La Noche Triste.   The painting shows a Horse falling into the water.

            As I've written before, many Spanish Conquistadors loaded with precious metals; died trying to cross that "Causeway" bridge leading in and out of Tenochtitlan.  Boy!  It would be so bad to drown or be killed by arrows and things like that.     

       

               SPANIARD / AZTEC           

ARTWORK BY DAVID SAAVEDRA

      

            Dais told me the man on the tv show said the "fortunate" Spanish and Tlaxcalan Indian survivors "limped" back to Tlaxcala to "lick their wounds."  But before they got there they had to fight the Aztecs again in that one huge land battle.   The scent of Mesquite just floated in.

           In chapter two earlier I mentioned how in that big battle on the way to Tlaxcala the main reasons the Spanish won was because Córtez and a few of his men "hacked their " through the Aztecs Soldiers.  They then killed the Aztec leader.  This made the other Aztecs just run away.

          Mr. Ralph and our boss's father have wondered why the Aztecs let Córtez "off the hook" when they had him "on the ropes" after La Noche Triste and that other battle.  But they let them get back to Tlaxcala, and there they had a lot of time to recover.   Leo and Cleo just flew bye. 

   

AZTEC WARRIORS 

             I'm looking at the paintings of 16th century Aztec Warriors, and like how their uniforms are made of feathers and things like that.  In one picture the Aztec is holding a "Macuahuitl," or "Hand Stick;" axe.  But I notice how both of the Aztecs are carrying only wooden shields.  

            Córtez, in 1521; wanted to go back and take Tenochtitlan.  By then Montezuma's brother had taken over as the Aztecs prepared for the inevitable assault.  Mr. Ralph thinks they should have "finished off" Córtez after La Noche Triste, when they "had the chance."  I smell Sage.

           I guess what happened after La Noche Triste is like when the Germans let those Allied Soldiers escape to England at "Dunkirk."  Or when George Washington escaped from the British in New York City during the Revolutionary War.  Those Soldiers "Came back to Haunt."      

                                                                           RECONQUEST OF TENOCHTITLAN (1521)                                                                                                                                                                  PAINTING BY DANIEL HERNANDEZ 

                                                                                                                                                           

             In mid-1521 Cortez invaded Tenochtitlan, his men having built thirteen small wooden Ships called "Brigantines" or "Sloops."  The Tlaxcalans carried the Ships over to Tenochtitlan.  In 1847 William Wing Loring was fascinated reading about it in William Prescott's book.

             It says here what the tv show Dais saw said too, how over the next month Cortez did one of those "Sieges" on Tenochtitlan.  He cut off the city and tried to starve them out but also kept attacking them.  I guess thousands of Aztec Warriors and Spanish Soldiers were killed.

            Finally, after much brutal and vicious "hand to hand" street fighting, the Spanish and their Tlaxcalan allies were able to kill most of the Aztecs and take the city.  Daisy heard our boss and Mr. Ralph talk about how the Aztecs also died from "Smallpox."   A Crow cawed. 

      

"FALL OF BERLIN" (APRIL, 1945)

   

                I'm looking at those last pictures taken of Hitler as he greets the boys who were fanatically defending the city of "Berlin" at the very end of World War II in Europe.   In another picture it shows boys carrying those "Panzerfausts."  The Aztecs also fought "To the Death" in 1521.

           Hey Lord!  I guess after 1521 some of the Native people who had survived converted over to Christianity because they thought You must be more powerful than their Gods.  And You are powerful too we think.   All four of the Pigeons are flying over Libby's Corral over there.

          As I've said before over the last two days, Córtez ended up building Mexico City on top of Tenochtitlan.  Mr. Ralph told our boss in 2014 Mexico City has "about eighteen million" people, "most poor;" with "much pollution."  That's why the poor want to come here to America.

              

SPANISH SOLDIER (16TH CENTURY)

  

            Well, according to this outline I have to find out about some other 16th century Spanish explorations of the "New World" after the time of Columbus.  I'm looking at that good picture of the guy carrying one of those "Arquebus" guns.  They were more like canons back then.  

            Daisy saw a tv show about a really smart black Slave named "Esteban," or "Estevanico."  He was bought in "Morocco" and was a Muslim "Berber."  I've mentioned a few times before in my books how Esteban is just the Spanish version of our boss's full first name of "Steven."

            I remember that time when our boss and Mr. Esteban ate lunch and talked, one of the things being about that Slave Esteban.  He and the man who owned him sailed from Spain to the Caribbean Sea.  A little Sparrow with a long twig in its mouth ran bye in front of the Patio.  

 

HIGH DESERT WARBLER

  

           I just glanced up from my work and see that yellow Warbler Bird sitting alone on one of the branches of the Mulberry tree.  Andy's looking at him from over there near the entrance of their burrow.  Boy!  I'm so tempted to go tell Daisy about seeing my very first Warbler Bird.        

           Dais says the tv show said, in 1527; that guy Esteban's owner led an exploring expedition to the area now the State of "Florida."  But it turned out to be a "total and complete" disaster I guess; described as being "ill-fated" in this Encyclopedia.  That Warbler just flew away.                

          Oh wow!  Of the "three hundred men" who began that expedition to Florida "only four survived," one being that Slave Esteban; who was called the "Moor."  1527 was just a few years after Córtez beat the Aztecs.  In fact, one guy on the expedition was Panfilo de Narváez.                                                                                                            16TH CENTURY SPANISH "GALLEON"                                  

            It says here in 1527 on the expedition to Florida, a really bad thing that happened was a Ship was destroyed in one of those "Hurricane" storms.  Even though 16th century "Galleons"  were really modern technology, the Ship still sank anyway.   I can smell Andy over there.              

            Daisy says that guy Narváez, who in 1527 wore one of those black eyepatches to cover up the hole where his eye used to be; was really mean.  The tv show said when he was exploring in    Florida one time he killed every "man, woman and child" in a Native village.  I like Andy.             

             I guess in 1528 the exploring party, after fighting many "hostile" Indians; got "stranded" in Florida with no way home.  So, "in desperation" they "fabricated" small Boats; then tried to "Hug the Coast" in sailing toward the west.   Libby's over there walking around her Corral.                          

   ESTEBAN'S ROUTE (1527-1539)

              A map shows the eight year long route that guy Esteban took to eventually get back to civilization in Mexico.   It says here, when they floated near the mouth of that big "Mississippi River; their Boats were "torn apart" by the "powerful currents."  I smell some Mesquite.

             Dais told me the tv show mentioned what it says here too, how the Boat with Narváez on it was "washed" out into the Gulf of Mexico where he and everyone "most likely" drowned.  But I guess Esteban, who didn't know how to swim; made it to the shore.  Mesquite smells good. 

            Esteban and two survivors made it to an area now the "Galveston Bay" in Texas.  They were captured by Indians who made them Slaves for two years.  Daisy heard our boss tell Miss Babette how, before the economic recession; he had a Ford customer near the Galveston Bay. 

            

 ESTEBAN / ESTEVANICO (c.1500-1539)

 

            Dais says our boss and Mr. Dave think that guy Esteban must've been pretty smart, as he became known to the Indians in Texas as a "Medicine Man" or "Healer."  They had never seen a black person before and he wore colorful and flamboyant clothes.  Libby just whinnied.

            Mr. Dave thinks Esteban might've used the Natives "wishful thinking" and hope to make the sick or injured feel better.   I've written about that thing called the "Placebo Effect."  He was a good dancer too from what Dais heard, and learned all the Indian languages really fast.

           Amazingly, after a few years Esteban and the other two guys ran into another survivor of the expedition; Cabeza de Vaca which is Spanish for "Head of the Cow."  He had also been living among the Indians as a Medicine Man Dais heard.  But he was also doing "Trading" too.

                         

             ÁLVAR NUÑEZ CABEZA DE VACA                                ROUTE (1528-1536)                                                (c.1488-c.1557)                                                                                                      

         

            You can see on the map how, for a few years Esteban, Cabeza de Vaca and the other two survivors had to walk a long way.  They went from what is now Texas down into Northern and the Western Mexico.  Mr. Steve thinks they must've had a lot of courage to do what they did.

            Esteban, Cabeza de Vaca and those other two guys wandered around northern and then eventually western Mexico.  Finally, they ran into some Spanish men who were some of those "Slave Raiders" I've written about before.  Dawn's barking, which makes me feel better.                                                                                                                                                                                                    The four survivors were taken to Córtez in Mexico City.  Cabeza de Vaca later wrote a book about what happened.  Mr. Steve is impressed by how, in a time when most died young; he lived to be sixty nine years old.  Daisy and I have both wondered how he got his name.    

   

CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY NORTHRIDGE

 

               Over the last three days I've mentioned a few times how our boss, his brother Rock, sister Susan and mom; all went to College at C.S.U.N. in Northridge.  And so did Mr. Steve's Nephew Mathew too.  Oh!  That orange Monarch Butterfly just fluttered bye in front of the Sheds. 

            Daisy heard our boss and his mom one time talk about how, back in the 1970's when he was at C.S.U.N.; a guy told him Cabeza de Vaca's 16th century book is now considered by some people to be the first ever "Chicano" literature.  Seeing that Butterfly makes me feel good.

            Hey Lord!  It says here Cabeza de Vaca used Your name to heal sick Indians just like You used to do.  Sometimes he would blow on them to heal.  Mr. Ralph read he prayed over them and made a crucifix to act as one of those "Magic Wands."  Boy!  I'd love to have a magic wand. 

  

 "THE LAST SUPPER"

PAINTING BY LEONARDO DA VINCI

   

              Daisy says Lord the man on the tv show mentioned how some of the Indians ended up following Esteban and Cabeza de Vaca the way Your twelve "Apostles" followed You.  Many of them believed both had the power to "heal and destroy."  A Train just whistled faintly.  

             Boy Lord!  If  You were ever to come and live down here again Dais and I would want to hang around You.  I guess, Cabeza de Vaca used "love and fear" with the Indians; like that guy Machiavelli said to do in his 16th century book "The Prince.  I can't wait to read that book.

             Mr. Ralph used the term "proto anthropologist" when describing Cebeza de Vaca one time.  Daisy says he told our Chief he once met an Argentine man who said Cabeza de Vaca was Governor of "Nuevo" or "New Andalusia" for a while, now "Argentina."  I like Trains.

  

       BISON HERD                                             HUNTING BUFFALOES 

    

                   Mr. Ralph read Cabeza de Vaca may've been the first non-indigenous person to see the Buffaloes.  I wrote in book one on Thursday how, before the arrival of Horses; one way Indians hunted Buffaloes by stampeding them over a cliff.  A good painting shows them doing it.

             In the early 1540's that other guy Coronado's exploration party ate Buffalo meat from what Mr. Ralph read.  Back then there were millions of Buffaloes in giant herds on the plains.  In 1804 Lewis and Clark's expedition saw one of those Indian "Cliff Jump" stampede hunts.

            Córtez brought those first sixteen Horses to North America and I guess, by the time of that 1680 New Mexico Indian revolt; there were wild Horses roaming in the Southwest.  From about 1730 through the mid-19th century Indians used them a lot.  Leo and Cleo flew bye.    

  

MORMON TREK TO UTAH (1856)

                  Our boss told Mr. Ralph a lady once told him, on some of the Mormon walks out to Utah they used Buffalo skulls as a way of guiding later people to stay on the correct route.  I've talked before about those little Wagons many people pulled on the way.  A Train whistled faintly. 

            As I wrote on Thursday, before the "Re-Introduction" of the Horse to North America; it was way more dangerous for Indians hunting Buffaloes on foot.  I've mentioned a few times how that little "Eohippus" Horse went extinct.  A gigantic Buffalo also went extinct too I guess.

           Someday I'd like to smell a Buffalo and know would Dais too.  But we'd have to do it from a distance because they're huge, run really fast; and have sharp horns on their powerful heads.  I can see Libby over there walking around slowly near the back fence along Primavera Road.        

                                                                       THEN                                BUFFALO HUNT                         NOW                             

     

               A good painting shows one of those "Comanche" Indians, from the back of a fast running  Horse; about to shoot an arrow at a Buffalo.  And as dangerous as that must've been, it was a lot better than trying to kill a Buffalo on foot.  Comanche's were like Genghis Khan's Mongols.

          Dais heard some boy Buffaloes can grow to be two thousand pounds, and can run at thirty five miles per hour.  I guess, even the fastest human can only get up to nineteen or twenty miles per hour.  I just now picked up Charlie Company's scent from the desert behind the Sheds.  

          Mr. Ralph read George Washington had some Buffaloes captured and brought back to his Farm at Mount Vernon.  Daisy says our boss thinks people and Buffaloes "evolved" together in North and South America after the end of that final Ice Age.  Aha!  I see Charlie Company.

                                                                                                             

"TRAVOIS" WAGON                                 PLAINS INDIAN VILLAGE

  

                 I'm looking at that picture of those "Travois" carts Plains Indians used to pull the things from place to place and then setting up their villages.  Dogs used to pull them but when they had Horses it was possible to do a lot better.  They didn't know about the wheel back in those days.

           You can really see how much more weight a Horse can pull than a Dog, which meant the Native people could carry more and travel greater distances; or control their own destinies.  Dais could pull a lot of weight because of how strong she is.  Two of the Pigeons are flying bye.

             I remember that time when our boss told Mr. Esteban about the first Esteban, Cabeza de Vaca; and their totally amazing lives.  You can really tell how Mr. Esteban likes learning all new things, and that's one reason Mr. Steve likes him I'll bet.  He's also a hard worker too.

                                       

                                                      JUAN GARRIDO (c.1487-c.1550)     

     

             Our boss also told Mr. Esteban about Juan Garrido.  He was born in Africa but went to "Portugal," converted to Catholicism; then came to the New World in 1502 when he was fifteen.  Over the next forty years he then survived combat as a Conquistador in many places.   

             I notice in the picture of that guy Juan Garrido he's not dressed like you'd think a 16th century black person would be.  Most black people were Slaves back in those days.  I really like how the wide collar looks on his fancy shirt, and I'd definitely for sure wear a hat like his.

            Wow!  It says here Juan Garrido, which means "Handsome John" in Spanish; took part in the conquest of what is now "Puerto Rico" and then "Cuba."  In 1513 he went with that guy Ponce de Leon to "Florida" looking for gold and that "Fountain of Youth."  I smell Sage.

      

       SPANISH / AZTEC COMBAT             

  

             Boy!  After doing all of those other things, Juan Garrido fought over in Mexico against the Aztecs.  It says here, after the destruction of Tenochtitlan; Córtez then "rewarded him" with "loot, land and black slaves."  He got married and he and his wife had three children. 

            By the time of the conquest of the Aztecs that guy Juan Garrido had already fought in a lot of battles against Indians.  He had helped explore new areas, like when Ponce de Leon first discovered "Florida" looking for gold and that Fountain of Youth.  Sage smells so good.   

            That guy Mr. Juan was the "first black person" to "set foot" in North America.  I guess, he also became a Farmer and said later he was the first person to "cultivate" wheat in the New World.   He went with Córtez on the first expeditions sent to explore "Baja" California. 

                           

          MR. RALPH                                                    WITH SON RORY 

PHOTOS BY STEVE CÓRDOVA

          Someday I'd like to meet Mr. Ralph, who Daisy says seems to be really smart and knows about so many different subjects.  He liked how that guy William Prescott described the night Córtez and the Spaniards escaped from Tenochtitlan.  Blackbeard and Anne just flew bye.   

               Daisy says she can tell Mr. Ralph, who's son Rory sounds really intelligent too; was very impressed by the "moral implications" of "La Noche Triste."  I wonder what Dais is doing?  She ate her "Bufferin" pill so hopefully again today her paws and hips won't hurt so much.  

          Hey God!  Did You cause the greedy Spanish Soldiers loaded with gold to sink and drown in fighting their way out of Tenochtitan?  My Encyclopedia says they had to build "impromptu" bridges to get to the mainland from the big Lake.  I've written about "Pontoons" before. 

FANNIE AND FREDDIE

          

                  I just noticed Fannie and Freddie over there standing near the Sheds, with Andy keeping a close eye on them because he knows they'll try to eat their babies if they can.  I didn't even see Fannie and Freddie fly in and land.   Oh!  Now they just took off and are flying away.   

                Mr. Ralph told our boss if he could time travel he'd want to watch, at "a safe distance;" Córtez escaping Tenochtitlan.  It says here the "fighting was savage" as Aztecs in Canoes tried to kill the "exposed and vulnerable "Spanish out on the Causeway.  Many died on both sides.    

           Hey God!  As You know, Daisy thinks You were teaching those greedy Soldiers a lesson in being so greedy.  Cortez and some of the Spanish "miraculously" made it to the mainland.  Even though they wore armor chest protectors and helmets, most of the survivors were wounded. 

        

EVACUATION OF DUNKIRK (MAY, 1940)

                                                                             PAINTING BY CHARLES ERNEST CUNDALL

                                              

                Mr. Ralph, and also our boss's father; have wondered why the Aztecs didn't "finish off" Córtez when they had him "at their mercy."  It was like in World War II when the Germans for some reason allowed all those Allied Soldiers to escape back to England.  Daffy's quacking.

             Oh!  This might be a good time to write about that Second World War British Tow Truck called the "Scammell TRMU Pioneer."  I missed it on my outline yesterday when I wrote about that famous evacuation at Dunkirk in 1940.  Many "Pioneers" were abandoned in France.

           Daisy heard Mark Ritter, who I've mentioned before rebuilt that one World War II 1941 Military Ambulance; knew about Pioneer Trucks.  My Encyclopedia describes it as a "recovery vehicle" and "transporter."  Boy!  It's so amazing how loud Daffy's voice can be sometimes.       

 

TRMU "PIONEER"                                       "DUNKIRK" (1940)  

                   Daisy heard or boss and Mr. Doug talk about how those Pioneer Trucks could pull heavy Tanks and Artillery, even over rough ground.   Daisy told me how there's a dirt road kind of near us called "Pionero," which is Spanish for Pioneer.   Some Mormons were called Pioneers.  

             I guess, back in 1520 the Aztecs let the Spanish "off the hook."  Instead of "following up" on their successful attacks they "disengaged" and went back into Tenochtitlan it says here.  So the Spanish "beat a hasty retreat" back to Tlaxcala to "Lick their Wounds" so to speak.

            Over the course of the next few months Córtez "recuperated."  Eventually they went back to conquer Tenochtitlan through really bloody fighting.  Mr. Steve says some think the reason the Aztecs didn't take more advantage of La Noche Triste was all of the sickness and disease.

        

"SMALLPOX"  

      

            Over the last three days I've mentioned a few times how one thing Europeans brought to the New World was "Smallpox."  Like all other Native peoples in the 1500's, the Aztecs had no "immunity" to it; so were "vulnerable."  Donald and Daisy are now both quacking too.  

            Mr. Dave read when Córtez arrived in 1519 there were about thirty million indigenous people in the Mexico area.  A century later, after a "series of epidemics;" there were only about five million left.  So many had caught smallpox and "died in droves" Mr. Dave thinks.    

           It says here how, when Córtez returned to conquer Tenochtitlan; the Aztecs there were in a "much weakened state."  They "put up a courageous fight" but eventually their bravery was no match for steel and modern technology.  Hearing Donald and Daisy makes me feel good.

         

     16TH CENTURY SPANISH ARMS

 

             A painting shows a 1500's Spanish Conquistador, and I notice he's holding a steel sword and steel tipped spear.  He's wearing a steel breastplate; and is also carrying a little steel shield too.  Even though the Aztecs had good weapons, their shields were mainly made of wood. 

            Back in the 16th century, not only did the Spanish have the advantage of Horses and the Arquebus guns; they also had those powerful "Crossbows" too.  The Indian's spears and bows and arrows were wood.  Boy!  Hearing the Hens over there is making me think of Heathcliff.

            Mr. Dave says he once met a German guy who said his ancestor was a Conquistador, and how there were also a few Swiss, Italians and Portuguese Conquistadors.  But most of them were Spanish.   Ah!  A nice cool breeze, from behind the Sheds; just brought in the Twins' scent.     

      

  SPAIN / PORTUGAL

("SPHERES OF INFLUENCE")

  

             I really like this map that shows exactly where the Spanish went in their conquest of the New World.  And it shows how, after that 1494 "Treaty of Tordesillas;" the Portuguese took a lot of areas too.  This map gives you a better idea of just how big North and South America are.   

             The map also shows where the Aztecs and Inca Empires were located too.  Our boss and Mr. Eber, the Brazilian Bookkeeper; talked about his country ended up being Portuguese and not Spanish.  Ah!  The chimes are now ringing and that really makes me feel pretty good.

            Daisy heard that German guy whose relative was a Conquistador told Mr. Dave some of the ideas from 16th century were "ridiculous."  The Conquistadors, who fought a lot among each other; spent time looking for "Fictitious" places.  And that just means they don't even exist!  

                        

     CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS (1451-1506)

            I like looking at the painting of that guy Christopher Columbus trying to convince Queen Isabella and King Ferdinand to sponsor him in his idea.  And another painting shows how it may have looked when he finally got to the Caribbean Sea area.  I just love how the chimes sound!

           Columbus had to make what Mr. Steve would call his "Pitch" to the Spanish King and Queen.  And in making his  presentations and requests he in part was going by what he had read in books before that.  Ah!  I just picked up Libby's scent from over there in her Corral.        

              Over the last three days I've mentioned that German guy Johannes Guttenberg.  Mr. Steve and his father think one of the most important things to happen in history is when he invented      his "Printing Press" in the 15th century.  That was about fifty years before Columbus's time.                                                                               JOHANNES GUTENBERG (1398-1468)          PRINTING PRESS                                       

          Johannes Gutenberg's Printing Press allowed more people, the "masses;" to read things like the Bibles he printed.  People becoming "Literate" is one of the things that ended the "Dark Ages" and helped bring about the beginning of the "Renaissance."  I like how Libby smells.         

            I've written before about how, before the 15th century; each book had to be hand written one letter at a time.  But by using "Movable Type," a Printing Press could create a whole page; by pressing it with ink onto the paper.  An then you could just make copies of that page.                

          Based on totally fake made up stories Ponce de Leon looked for that "Fountain of Youth" in Florida.  When Esteban and Cabeza de Vaca went to Mexico City they told Córtez there might be gold to the north up there in what would later be "New Mexico."  A Train just whistled.           

FRANCISCO VÁZQUEZ DE CORONADO (c.1510-1554)

PAINTING BY LUJAN

            I'm looking at the portrait painting of Francisco Vazquez de Coronado who, in 1540; was given the big job of leading that expedition up to New Mexico.  Esteban was also made one of the "Guides."  All four Pigeons are flying over Libby's Corral and moving toward the northeast. 

         Dais says the tv show about Esteban mentioned how he was "sent ahead" of Coronado's main body of explorers in 1540.  He was probably like the Quail scouts who will go ahead of the coveys to do "Reconaiscance."  Seeing the Pigeons makes me feel good for some reason.              

           It says here what the tv show said, how Esteban and Cabeza de Vaca really "exaggerated" about gold being up in New Mexico.  They talked about the "Seven Cities of Gold," or "Cíbola."  But, I guess it turned out Cibola was just one of those big Pueblo cities I've written about.                   

CORONADO'S EXPEDITION (1540-1542)

    PAINTING BY FREDERICK REMINGTON                                                                                                                                                                 

          I've written before how Coronado looked for the Seven Cities of Gold for over two years but never found any riches.  I'm looking at the Fredrick Remington painting of Coronado on his  white Horse leading his men in New Mexico.  Mr. Steve's mom likes Frederick Remington.           

           That guy Mr. Esteban was killed by "Zuni" Indians, which is what Daisy said the man on the tv show said too.  I can smell the new baby Cholla cactus over there growing in the dirt, and    that's making me feel good about just being alive.  But I wish Heathcliff were still around.            

        A map shows where Coronado's party went on his expedition.  You can see how, besides going through New Mexico; they also traveled in what is now the States of Arizona, Texas and      Oklahoma.  Wow!  And they also made it all of the way up to where Kansas is now today.              

                            

"GRAND CANYON"     

      

           One time our boss and Mr. Dave talked about Coronado's expedition, and how on side or "secondary" explorations they became the first Europeans to see that "Grand Canyon" over in what is now Arizona.  Dawn's barking.  I can smell Blinky and Rosie standing next to her.         

         In looking at the map of Coronado's route I see how his men also made a secondary trip down to the "Rio Grande" Valley where "Belén" is located.  The main body went bye "Taos,"      where Mr. Dave and Miss Julianne now live.  Dawn, Blinky and Rosie smell good to me.               

           I've mentioned how first "Lower" or "Baja," and then "Alta" or "Upper" California; got our names from that one 16th century "Romantic Novel."  In the book I guess there's that island called "California."  Two Crows are fighting about something out there in the back desert.                                   

   "GARDEN OF EDEN"

                 

          Daisy and Millie saw a good tv show that talked about some of the "ridiculous" things the Spanish did in the 16th century looking for riches.  Even Columbus was hoping to find what he thought would be the area where the "Garden of Eden" was located.  Dawn's still barking.           

           Of course Coronado and his men never found the "Seven Cities of Gold," and Ponce de Leon never discovered the "Fountain of Youth."  But they did find, and conquered; advanced society's like the Aztecs and Incas.  So they just took whatever wealth or riches they had.

          Cortez "occupied" Tenochtitlan, replaced it with the new city of Mexico City right on top of the old one.  This one Encyclopedia says, from "that point forward" the Spanish were "firmly established" in "Mexico;" the end of the once powerful Aztec Empire.  History was made.

            

                                   GONZALO FERNÁNDEZ DE CÓRDOBA (1453-1515)

     

         I just thought of Gonzalo Fernández de Córboba, the Spanish General from the late 15th century.    His nickname was "El Gran Capitan," which means "The Grand Captain." Many of    the 16th century New World Conquistadors like Córtez really admired him Daisy told me.            

          A lady who visited "Córdoba" Spain later talked with our boss about Gonzalo de Córdoba. My Encyclopedia says he helped conquer "Granada," which finally pushed the Muslims back to Africa and end the "Reconquista."  He also fought over in what would later be called "Italy."      

          It says here General Gonzalo was a "Duke," one of the first persons to "organize" the use of "massed formations" of those "Arquebus" guns.  He also used lines of infantry with those long spear "Pikes" in both offence and defense.  There's a long extending vapor trail u in the sky.         

   

GONZALO FERNÁNDEZ DE CÓRDOBA (1585-1635)

          Gonzalo de Córdoba's Great Grandson was named after him, from what it says in this one Encyclopedia.  He "followed in his footsteps" in being a military leader I guess, except he mainly  fought against other Christians during the "Protestant Reformation."  Leo and Cleo flew bye.      

         The word "namesake" is used to describe the second Gonzalo de Cordoba, and from what it says here; he was once "Governor" of that "Duchy" of "Milan."  Oh!  He fought in some of      those Catholic versus Protestant wars.  One lasted for thirty years, another took eighty.                 

     I've written about Milan being one of those "City-States," before Italy became an actual country in the late 19th century.   "Florence" and "Venice were two of the other City-States who  existed in the 16th and 17th centuries.  Mr. Steve's Niece Samantha visited Venice that time.         

   DAISY CÓRDOVA  

             I wonder what Dais is doing?  She loves breakfast and dinner because that Bufferin pill  helps her Arthritis, and as our Chief says; even if it's not doing any good that's okay because if it "makes her feel better that's all that really matters."  He says "placebo" and "psychosomatic."

         Underdog carries a "Super Energy Pill" hidden in a secret compartment in his ring.  I'd wear a ring but my toes are way too thick, and Daisy would wear one too but her furry toes are even bigger than mine. Oh!  We should invent special bigger sized rings for us Dogs to wear!        

        Without his pill Underdog is powerless, just like that guy Samson when he lost all of his great strength because that girl Delilah cut off his long hair braids.  The Viking God Thor's belt is what gave him power.  Boy!  It's too bad Samson was tricked by Delilah and got blinded.          

SAMSON AND DELILAH

            Oh!  Just when I'm mentioning the original Samson and Delilah who should just happen to show up?   Samson and Delilah just flew in from the desert and landed on top of Jack the big Shed.  I notice Samson has a dead Garter Snake in his mouth, and Delilah looks hungry.     

                This Encyclopedia says Samson was a "Judge" in ancient Israel.  Hey God!  I guess You and his family made a deal where, if Samson never cut his hair; You'd give him "Superhuman" strength like Hercules or Superman.  Samson is now stripping the skin off of the Snake.

            Hey Mr. Samson!  If you just happen to be up there mind reading me I want to tell you how Dais and I both think that girl Delilah was wrong to help the Philistines.  It must've hurt so much to have your eyes were gouged out.  Samson and Delilah are now eating that Snake.

    

     SAMSON DESTROYS THE PHILISTINE TEMPLE

             Hey Mr. Samson!  I guess the Philistines didn't notice how, when you were a Slave; your hair must've started to grow back.  So, at least you got revenge on them by pushing over the two big columns holding up the roof; even though you had to die too.  It was probably worth it.

             When you pushed over those two columns Mr. Samson, it must've been just like a big earthquake.  I've mentioned before how sometimes we have small earthquakes around here in Piñon Hills, but they're only those little "Tremors."  Samson and Delilah are flying away.

             One time our boss and his brother Sam talked about the 1989 Baseball "World Series," where a big earthquake hit the "Bay Area."  It's kind of amazing how, by total coincidence; the two teams that year were from the Bay Area.   I smell the little baby Cholla cactus over there.

     

     1989 WORLD SERIES 

(SAN FRANCISCO / OCTOBER 17, 1989)

 

            In 1989 the two teams competing against each other were, our boss's favorite team the Oakland "A's;" and the San Francisco "Giants."  They were "Cross-Town Rivals," even though hey were in different leagues.  I guess it's kind of like the "Angels" and "Dodgers down here.

           The big "Loma Prieta" earthquake happened at 5:04 in the afternoon, about half an hour before the the World Series game three I guess.  Daisy says Mr. Steve and his brother Sam talked about it happening on October the 17th.  That's their brother Rock in Texas' birthday.  

            In 1989 Mr. Steve was working for that company called "Pace," and on the day of that big earthquake he had just gotten home.  He was taking off his tie and white shirt and had the game on tv.  That's when he noticed the screen image freeze and then the broadcast just went off.

         

KIRK GIBSON'S HOME RUN

     (LOS ANGELES / OCTOBER 15, 1988)

             Daisy says our boss and his brother Sam talked about how the year before in the World Series Kirk Gibson hit that famous miraculous home run to beat the A's.  I wrote about it back in book one.  Mr. Steve's parents were at that game so experienced a "One in a Million" moment.   

                  In 1989 Mr. Steve was getting out that thing called an "Ironing Board" from a closet as the big earthquake hit.  He wasn't listening closely but thinks he heard the tv Announcer say they were having an earthquake.  Lady was looking at and listening to the tv too Dais says.

            Before the economic recession Mr. Steve used to have a Mazda customer up there near the Bay Area.  They talked about that 1989 earthquake because that guy's family all felt it a lot and say it was so scary.  Just like in the 1971 Sylmar earthquake, some Freeways even fell down.  

                                                                                                 

                              ROSEANNE                                             AUSTIN / SUSAN / DALTON

       

            Daisy and Millie heard our boss talking with Mr. Dave about the 1989 earthquake, and how all of sudden on tv that show called "Roseanne" came on.  I've mentioned before how Mr. Steve's sister Susan was a "Set Decorator" on that show.  Dawn and Blinky are barking.  

          Mr. Steve's brother Sam remembers pictures showing the A's and Giants Players walking around dazed.  Still wearing their uniforms, some were carrying kids; on streets outside of the      stadium.  Wives and family members were also walking along trying to get out of the area.            

        According to what Daisy heard, 1989 was the first time since 1956 when two teams from the same city played in the World Series.  Some think, because many were at home watching it on tv only sixty three people died.  Mr. Steve was born in 1955, then his brother Rock in 1957.               

 

1989 "WORLD SERIES"

             Mr. Steve's brother Sam read some of the Players were so scared they went and got their families and took them down onto the field.  Still wearing uniforms, I guess a few of the Players drove their families home that night.  I hear the Hens and that makes me think of Heathcliff.

             Even though only sixty three people were killed in that big 1989 earthquake, almost four thousand were injured.  When the World Series later resumed, the A's ended up "Sweeping" the Giants as they say, which means in four straight game.  Oakland had a really good team.

            Daisy heard our boss tell his brother Sam how, when the A's were called the Philadelphia Athletics; they played the then New York Giants back in the 1905, 1911 and 1913 World Series.  The Giants won in 1905 and the A's defeated the Giants the last two times they met I guess.  

    

                              GRATEFUL DEAD                                 "OAKLAND COLISEUM"

 

            Mr. Dave, like our boss; likes some GRATEFUL DEAD songs.  Daisy heard they have a song called "California Earthquake," probably about that 1989 earthquake.  I guess they did one of those "Benefit" concerts at the Oakland Coliseum where the A's play their home games.

           When the big earthquake happened the game was being held at the Giants' home stadium called "Candlestick Park."   Mr. Steve and that Mazda Parts Manager recalled some extremely windy games where the Players hats got blown right off of their heads.  Daffy's quacking.      

           Looking at the desert behind the Sheds I see Joshua trees, some with drooping "canopies" of dead branches.  They're dying because of the drought we're in and that's why we can't waste any water.  Boy!  Hearing Daffy's loud voice right now is making me feel a little bit better. 

 

         CALIFORNIA HIGH DESERT

              Miss Susan who used to run our local Newspaper "News Plus" one time told our boss that Joshua trees don't "reproduce" easily.  If what little rain we get evaporates too quickly then Joshua tree "seedlings" die before growing roots into the dirt.  I can smell some Mesquite. 

             I've mentioned before how Joshua trees are important  because they shelter things like Moths, Insects, Lizards, Rats, Mice and Birds like Woodpeckers.  This Encyclopedia says their      "Scientific" name is "Yucca Brevifolia," not really trees but "succulents."  Dawn's barking.

            It is kind of amazing how some Joshua trees can grow to be forty feet tall and live for two hundred years.  Daisy says, when Joshua trees "Bloom;" they have white and yellow flowers in the shape of a bell.  Some of the 19th Mormons jokingly called them "shaggy" Prophets.

   

 ITALY

                 Seeing a vapor trail up in the sky makes me remember how yesterday I was supposed to write about a man Mr. Steve met.  He at one time had a job as a "Travel Agent."  He knew a lot about traveling to Italy and Israel, especially when helping people go the city of "Rome."

            Daisy says when our boss and that man began talking it turned out the guy used to work for "Noseworthy" Travel Agency.  That's the company Mr. Steve's father used for trips abroad.  Oh!  Samson and Delilah are flying over Libby's Corral and now moving toward the east.

           That man told our boss nowadays if you visit Israel you can go to the area where that guy Samson who killed the Philistines grew up.  Mr. Steve told him about that 1985 trip to Italy and Israel.  Libby's unique scent just came floating into my right nostril over here on Elvira. 

                    

                       "ALITALIA" AIRLINES                    

       ("DEC-9" /  1985)     

 

            "Alitalia" is the name of the Italian Airline company which flew Mr. Steve's Tour Group over to Italy in 1985, the Israeli Airline was called "El-al."  My Italian Dictionary says "ali" is "wings,"" while "Italia" means "Italy."  I smell Charlie Company out there in the desert.   

           Daisy says that man knew about how in 1985 Alitalia Airlines tried the idea of flying to the city of "Milan" by going over the North Pole.  Usually you'd leave L.A. and go to the east coast for what they call a Layover."  Then you'd fly across the Atlantic Ocean and go into Europe.  

           By flying over the North Polar you could get to Italy in one single trip but, Alitalia had to stop doing that idea because the trip was just too long.  Mr. Steve would agree with that because being on an Airplane that long is "very difficult to do."  Samson and Delilah just flew bye.

  

              POPEYE / OLIVE OYL          

                             

             Mentioning Samson suddenly makes me think of that cartoon I hope to see some day.  It's about this Sailor named "Popeye" Daisy told me, and his skinny girlfriend "Olive Oyl" is taller than he is.  I guess Popeye smokes a pipe just like the ones General MacArthur used to use.

             Daisy admires how that guy Popeye, just like Underdog protects Polly Purebreed; takes good care of Olive Oyl.  To give him great strength, he eats that vegetable "Spinach," and likes to punch people like this big bully with a beard named "Brutus."  Ah!  The air is so clear.

            From what Dais told me, Brutus tries to make Olive Oyl be with him instead of Popeye; which of course makes Popeye really mad.  He always argues with Popeye and sometimes even steals Olive Oyl.  But after eating Spinach; Popeye always rescues her and gets her back.   

      

"POPEYE THE SAILOR" CHARACTERS    

   

           I'm really hoping they start showing the Popeye cartoons again on Saturday mornings so I can watch them.  Dais says they're so good and Millie sure liked them a lot.  She heard our boss tell his Niece Samantha how, when he gets a sandwich at "Subway" he always puts Spinach.  

       Dais tells me Popeye helps others and always tries to right.  But that guy Brutas is kind of mean and sometimes they punch each other really hard.  I guess Popeye's a pretty good Singer too.  Ah!  Thank You God for all the clear air, and the way it's making me feel right now.               

         Popeye one time punched a charging Bull in the nose, and when it came down to the ground it was in the form of packaged steaks and things like.  Another time he punched an Iceberg about to run over Olive.  He was so strong the Iceberg turned into ice cubes already in ice trays.                       

           FLOCK OF BIRDS              

       

                 A flock of Birds is going bye up in the blue sky.  I just thought of a man named "Wimpy" in those Popeye cartoons.  Dais says he never has any money and always says; "I'll gladly pay you Tuesday for a Hamburger today."  Olive Oyl has a baby who can talk and everything.

            For a little while there was a restaurant over there in Phelan called "Wimpy's," where I guess Mr. Steve goes sometimes.  Boy!  If Spinach works for us Dogs we could mix it into regular Dog food as a secret ingredient and sell it to the public.  Every Dog would want it I think.  

            Wow!  If it turns out Spinach gives Dogs strength maybe we could make some for Cats?   Boy, writing about all this food is making me sort of hungry right now.  Boy!  I can't wait for my first big break after chapter four, when I'll run up to the front yard to see how Daisy's doing.  

         

    WORLD WAR II "JEEP"

(GENERAL PATTON IN TROOP REVIEW)

                Popeye's pet is named "Jeep," who's kind of like a Dog "but not really" Daisy told me.  It has magical powers and helps Popeye the way we want to help our boss.  Speedy Gonzalez ran at full speed through the right gate slot, and is right now disappeared into the back desert.

          Mr. Steve's father read the Second World War vehicle used so much was "affectionately" named "Jeep," because like Popeye's magic pet; it "could go anywhere."  That guy Mark Ritter knew a lot about World War II vehicles.   A picture shows General Patton riding in a Jeep.   

              One thing I want to see someday is how Popeye uses his piper for many things, like as one of those cutting torch for example.  It can become a Jet engine, propeller, periscope or a musical instrument.  Popeye can even eat or suck Spinach through it from what Dais has told me. 

                                                             

 MR. RICK      

       

            Daisy heard that as a kid Mr. Rick liked watching Popeye's cartoons.  In the mid-1990's when our Chief worked for him for over two years he had to get up at four in the morning, often to be at "Smarden" the "Parts House" in Burbank by five when they opened.  I smell Sage.

           Mr. Randy one time told our boss how there's a road here in our area named "Burbank."  I guess Mr. Steve never missed a day when he worked for Mr. Rick.  And he's been at other jobs where he never missed a day.  One thing about the three of us, we hardly ever get sick.

            Even though he doesn't like taking days off, there have been days when he didn't feel like working so he told his boss.  And, if his presence was not absolutely necessary on that particular day; he'd take a day off.  On on many of those days he was with Lady doing yardwork.

          

                STEVE BANKS                      STEVE / AMY                        STEVE / RONNA

          

            One thing our Chief will not do is lie to his boss's like Mr. Rick or Steve Banks.  He won't make up a story like he's sick or something when he's not, but will just tell them the truth that he doesn't feel like working that day.  And when he's been the boss that's what he expects too.

            I just thought of that guy Steve Banks, who helped get our boss get out of financial trouble by giving him a job in 1999.  Hey Mr. Banks!  If you just happen to be up there in Heaven mind reading me I want to tell, for Dais and myself; thank you for helping our boss.  I love Sage!  

           One reason Daisy and I like getting up early is because Mr. Steve does.  But Daisy's right, because we love to eat; the main reason we like getting up early is for breakfast.  It makes me a little bit hungry right now just thinking about it.  Blackbeard and Anne are flying to the east.  

  

GRANDPA / GRANDMA TRUJILLO

            I've mentioned a few times over the last three days how, loading and unloading luggage for the "Santa Fe" railroad company from 1928 through the mid-1970's; Grandpa Trujillo did not miss a day of work.  He was really afraid of losing his job.  A Train whistled faintly.

           Mr. Steve thinks it's "very admirable" how, for over forty years; Grandpa Trujillo never missed a day.  All those years loading and unloading luggage and freight made him be unusually strong.  I've written about how he had a garden and raised Pigs and Chickens for food. 

           Grandpa Trujillo began his job the year before the "Wall Street Crash" of 1929, so had a job during the 1930's "Great Depression."  I've learned so much about those years over the last three days.  Thank You God for making it so we're not in one of those economic depressions.

        

                                                AMERICAN "GREAT DEPRESSION"                                                                                                                                                                                                                    

            I now totally understand why this Encyclopedia calls the 1930's Great Depression a time of "great hardship." So many, if not most people; were "out of work."  But Mr. Steve's Grandpa Trujillo was lucky enough to have a job so wasn't going to lose it "unless I'm dead" he'd say.

           Boy!  Looking at these pictures of all the men standing in lines to get some food at a "Soup Kitchen" really tells you how bad the pre-World War II economy were.  Because of starvation it was necessary for there to be more charity than usual.  The Monarch Butterfly just went bye.

           Hey God!  Did You make it so that guy Adolph Hitler started the Second World War, so America could come out of the Great Depression?  Mr. Steve thinks World War II "brought the U.S. economy back" and also "moved up the timetable for minorities to gain civil rights." 

     

  GREAT DEPRESSION "HOBOS"  

          

                  I wrote about Mr. Steve's mom's Uncle James, who in the 1930's rode on Trains as one of those "Hobos;" so he "Wouldn't be a Burden" on his family.  Our boss one time told his father he "doesn't know if he could live the life of a Hobo."  We're lucky to have food and shelter!

            Grandpa Trujillo got up early in the morning for his job, but liked it because he got off at mid-afternoon.  That allowed him the afternoon to work on his own projects, like his vegetable garden for example.  Fannie and Freddie, talking to each other; are flying toward the east. 

       Our boss had this dream about going to New Mexico, and visiting Uncle James and Aunt Martina's house on the other side of Grandpa Trujillo's garden.   I've mentioned before how they were brothers and sisters of Grandma and Grandpa Trujillo.  They were all good partners.           

      

SATCHEL PAIGE (c.1906-1982)      

(CLEVELAND "INDIANS")         

         

       A Train whistled faintly to the northwest way out there in the desert, and for some reason that reminds me of that Baseball Pitcher Satchel Paige.  I've written about how he also loaded      and unloaded freight from Trains the way Grandpa Trujillo did.  I like how Trains sound.             

          Satchel Paige, on the Cleveland "Indians;" broke the "American" League "color barrier" in 1948.   With the "Dodgers," Jackie Robinson had done it a year before over in the "National" League.  I've mentioned how Jackie Robinson went to U.C.L.A. where Miss Emily works.    

         As I've said before, the nickname "Satchel" came about because he was paid by how many things he loaded or unloaded from a Train.  So, he went out and cut off branches from a Satchel tree; then used them over his shoulders to carry more things at once.   Boy!  That's so smart.  

              

SATCHEL PAIGE 

(KANSAS CITY "ATHLETICS)

                  I wrote before how, as a "Gimmick;" in 1965 the A's owner Charles O. Finley hired Satchel Paige to pitch a game.  He was fifty nine, and had been "Over the Hill" even when he'd played with the Indians.  In 1948 he had been the oldest "Rookie" in Baseball history..

            Daisy and Millie heard our boss talk with his brother Sam about that game Satchel Paige pitched in for the A's against the Boston "Red Sox."  He went four innings, gave up that one hit to Carl Yastrzemski; but allowed no runs.  A Sparrow with a twig in its mouth just ran bye.

           That guy Satchel Paige, who might've been the best Pitcher ever; obviously had "common sense" Daisy thinks.  She was impressed in hearing how he thought of using those tree branches.  And Dais would know because if anyone has common sense it's good old Daisy that's for sure.  

         

1930'S "GREAT DEPRESSION"

                                                                                                                            PHOTO BY DOROTHEA LANGE

     

              Over the last three days I've written about how Mr. Steve's Grandparents, and also his parents too; were "products of the Depression."  So, even when they got old it still effected the way they thought.  Ah!  I knew I heard that big Dragonfly coming and it just zoomed bye.

             Mr. Steve's father, who had that school for Stockbrokers, hopes he's wrong but thinks it is "very possible" the U.S. could someday go into an economic Depression.  Right now in 2014 he says, America is eighteen trillion dollars in debt.  One trillion is one thousand billions!  

            What "makes it worse" our boss's dad thinks, is every month that "Federal Reserve" is printing money "out of thin air;" even it sounds better calling it "Quantitative Easing."  I guess that might be an example of George Orwell's "New Speak."   The air is so clear right now.  

    

     MR. PHILLIP      

            Daisy and Millie heard our boss one time tell Mr. Phillip the Honda Parts Manager about his dad's school for Stockbrokers.  They talked about how, for many years; the English "Pound" was the world's "Reserve Currency."  But, since World War II, the "Dollar" has taken over. 

         Mr. Phillip, because he's originally from "Wales;" knows that since the end of the Second World War in 1945 England has had many weak economies.  Mr. Steve told him his dad thinks it was World War II that brought the U.S. economy out of the Depression.   Andy's looking at me.   

         America's "Industrialization" to fight in the biggest war ever was the "biggest factor" in "reviving" the U.S. economy Mr. Steve's father believes.  Then, when the war was over in 1945; that same industrialization was used in times of peace.  Smelling Andy makes me feel good. 

    

                FRANKLIN DELANO ROOSEVELT                      ADOLPH HITLER

                                     (1882-1945)                                                                            (1889-1945)                                          

             In my books I've learned of people who were tied together by "Destiny," like the second President Roosevelt and Adolph Hitler; or Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier.  It's interesting how Roosevelt and Hitler both came into power in 1933, and then died in 1945.  A Train whistled.  

             Mr. Steve's father says, even though Roosevelt's "New Deal" was not enough to get the nation out of the Great Depression;  you really have to "give him credit for at least trying to do something."  Fannie and Freddie, talking to each other; are flying over Libby's Corral.

            Daisy heard our boss and his father talk about how that man Mr. Espinoza. who survived the "Bataan Death March;" was forever grateful for the President Roosevelt's work programs. It allowed him to help his family.  And that made him be in good shape to survive the war later.

   

  "SAN GABRIEL" MOUNTAINS       

    

            Looking beyond Libby's Corral I see those "San Gabriel" mountains to the south.  For some strange reason, seeing them right now makes me feel better about Heathcliff being dead.  Daisy is so right in saying we have to now appreciate even more each and every single day.           

            All of a sudden I remember that one time Dais and I heard our boss and Mr. Esteban the Worker talking about the Second World War as they ate lunch.  Mr. Steve told him Mexico was lucky it didn't have to fight in either of the 20th century World Wars.  I smell Creosote.

           Even though Mexico was not involved in World War I, during those years they had been fighting that bloody civil war which began in 1910.  Our boss and Mr. Esteban talked about that guy "Pancho" Villa.  Mr. Esteban said Pancho is a shortened form of the name "Francisco."  

               

                                          FRANCISCO "PANCHO" VILLA (1878-1923)

  

            A tv show Dais and Millie saw said, during the Mexican civil war; the U.S. Government at first supported Pancho Villa's army, the "División del Norte;" or "Northern Division." But then they decided to switch and support the other side.  Pancho Villa got really mad about that. 

           I guess Pancho Villa needed supplies but also wanted revenge.  So in March of 1916, two years after World War I began; his army did that really famous "Raid" across the southern U.S. border to attack "Columbus," New Mexico.  Two of the Pigeons are flying over the desert.

           My Spanish Dictionary says how "Caudillo," which is what Pancho Villa was described as being on the tv show; means "Landowner."  But Mr. Julio at work one time said could also mean "War Lord."  Wow!  His men killed seventeen Americans in that 1916 raid on Columbus.  

       

                       FOUNDING (c.1325 A.D.)           "TENOCHTITLAN"                       1519

                All of a sudden, for some reason; I just thought about the Aztec city of "Tenochtitlan" and how the Spanish destroyed it and built Mexico City right on top of it.  Daisy told me Millie liked the way the Mexican and Italian flags looked.  Mr. Steve has both of them in our house.

          My Encyclopedia says how, in the 14th century; the Aztecs built Tenochtitlan on that Lake called "Texcoco."  They saw an Eagle sitting on a cactus, eating a Snake; the cactus growing on some rocks.   This totally "fulfilled" an ancient prophesy which described that exact thing.

         As I wrote before, some people think Tenochtitlan might mean, ""Prickly Pears growing on rocks."  The Aztecs, called "Mexica" in the 1300's;" turned Tenochtitlan into what they called a "Altepetl" which sounds like an ancient Greek "City-State."  A nice breeze just came in.

                         

                                                                                                          ROSEMARY

  

           That breeze brought in the scent of Rosemary, which makes me hope Blessed Mother You might be thinking of me down here on the Patio.  Ah!  Now I smell our neighbors' Rose bushes over there.  A Motorcycle just zoomed bye out there on Primavera Road and I see the dust.

           Hey Blessed Virgin!  All of a sudden I just thought about those special red and pink Roses, "Rosas de Castilla;" You gave Juan Diego in the 1500's at "Guadalupe" Mexico.  Smelling those Roses reminds me of last year during Spring.  And I was also smelling Rosemary then too.

           My Encyclopedia says, in 1916 when Pancho Villa's men raided that town on Columbus; they stole things and burned buildings.  They "terrorized" the people living there and I'll bet it was like one of those Viking raids.  Thank You Blessed Mother if You are thinking of me.

 

                                 GENERAL PERSHING (1860-1948) IN NORTHERN MEXICO (1916)

                                  

           With a lot of "stolen loot" Pancho Villa's Soldiers escaped back down into Mexico.  That raid got President Wilson really angry, so he ordered General "Black" Jack Pershing to go kill Pancho Villa.  Another Motorcycle just went bye out there in the desert behind the Sheds. 

           Daisy thinks what General Pershing was told to do kind of sounds like what happened in that Charlton Heston movie "Major Dundee.  As I wrote on Thursday, in that movie a Civil War era Union Officer chases some "Apache" Indians into Mexico.  They had raided the U.S. too.   

          A young George Patton went with General Pershing on that one "Punitive" campaign.  In 1916 things like Cars and Airplanes were new, but in Northern Mexico George Patton mounted machine guns on Cars in one of the examples of "Motorized" warfare.  Dawn's barking.   

    

                                                           GENERAL JACK PERSHING  WITH FAMILY

                 It says here in 1915 General Pershing, who was from "Missouri;" lost his wife and three daughters to a fire where only his son survived so, I'll bet he was in a bad mood in 1916.  Daisy thinks he probably "took it out" on Pancho Villa's men.  Boy!  It would be bad to burn!  

                 I guess, even though they spent over nine months chasing Pancho Villa down in northern Mexico; the Americans were never able to capture him.  But Daisy heard they did kill a lot of the other Mexicans.  George Patton used to tie dead bodies onto the hood of his Car as trophies.  

          Pancho Villa, like Mr. Steve; was the eldest of five children but their father died young.  By 1916 he was a "Bandito" or "bandit," and his nickname "La Cucaracha" means  "Cockroach."  I guess he used to tell people that, "It's better to die on your feet than live on your knees."

                 

                                                                 PANCHO VILLA'S CORPSE DISPLAYED      

     

             Oh wow!  This picture shows Pancho Villa's dead body hanging out of a Car for people to see.  The caption says he was killed in 1923 so, Sister Rita Joseph turned out to be right when she said, "Live by the sword, Die by the sword."  Two Crows are fighting out there in the desert.

             It says here how, in early 1917 the U.S. entered the First World War; so the government's "attention shifted from Mexico to Europe."  Ah!  I wonder if our boss knows Pancho Villa's last words were, "Don't let it end like this."   Now two Crows are ganging up on the other Crow.

            I guess Pancho Villa was from the Mexican State of "Chihuahua," which suddenly makes me think about that tiny little Dog named "Chino;" who I've mentioned before.   Many years ago Mr. Steve met this elderly Mexican man back in Belén.  He fought in Pancho Villa's army.  

  

                                                                                   "BELÉN," NEW MEXICO

           It was in the late 1960's that Grandpa Trujillo took Mr. Steve with him to visit that man who "Rode" with Pancho Villa during the Mexican Revolution.  Grandpa Trujillo knew him as a fellow employee of the "Santa Fe" Railroad.  And they both had gardens Daisy heard.

          That old man, an orphaned teenager when forced to fight for Pancho Villa; "Bartered" or traded things he grew for things Grandpa Trujillo got from his garden.  Dais says he showed an old heavy knife to our boss, who was very impressed in holding it.  Andy's sniffing the air.        

          Daisy heard our boss talking on the phone with his father one time.  His dad laughed in hearing what that old man told Mr. Steve and Grandpa Trujillo, "No matter which side showed up during the civil war, either right or left; "They all stole your Chickens."  I like Andy.

    

                                                        THE "GREAT DEPRESSION"

                                                               (1930'S "SOUP KITCHENS")     

            I've mentioned how Mr. Steve and his father believe no matter who's in power, the poor suffer in wartime; and often in peacetime too.  Young people die for the old people.  Daisy told me SYSTEM OF A DOWN's song "B.Y.O.B." says, "Why do they always send the poor?"     

            After that 1929 "Stock Market Crash" it got very hard to find a job, which is why  so Grandpa Trujillo never missed a day of work from 1928 through the mid-1970's.  He "Worked Through" injuries and sickness for fear of being replaced.  Dawn and Blinky are barking.

           I just looked up that 1920's and 1930's New York Yankees Baseball Player Lou Gehrig.  He also never missed a day of work because he was afraid of losing his job.  Some people think that, outside of "Power;" he was even a better hitter than his more famous teammate Babe Ruth. 

 

                               LOU GEHRIG (1903-1941) / "BABE"RUTH (1895-1948)

   

           "In the Field" Lou Gehrig played "First Base" so, like Mr. Steve; must have been pretty good at catching one bounce "Short Hop" throws.  I've mentioned how Mr. Steve in his life has played every "Position."  But now he plays "Shortstop" for his slow pitch Softball team.

            Lou Gehrig, called the "Iron Horse;" held the Major League record for playing in over two thousand "Consecutive" games until that guy Cal Ripkin of the Baltimore "Orioles" broke it.  Lou Gehrig set his record from 1924 through 1941.  I like hearing Dawn and Blinky.  

           It says here Lou Gehrig's parents were "poor German immigrants" and two of his sisters, and one brother too; "died young."  I've written before how, after losing the First World War; the German economy went into a huge depression.  They were blamed for staring the war.

    

                                                                   "WEIMAR," GERMANY (EARLY 1920'S)

             A picture shows German men going into a store to buy something, and the caption says they're carrying "thousands" of almost worthless "Reichsmark" currency.   Mr. Grant one time gave our boss a real German Reichsmark from the early 1920's.   I smell Blinky over there.

            Our Chief has realistic-looking replica "Inflationary" bank notes from the two countries of "Zimbabwe" and "Yugoslavia."  Boy, I sure hope we never have "Inflation" because then the prices "Rise Sharply."  Daisy saw this good tv show about defeated "Post-War" Germany.

           Right after World War II German inflation was so bad some people used the currency as wallpaper.  The tv show said, later in the mid-1920's; American Banks lent money to Germans so the economy got better.  Mr. Dave read some think "Nostradamus" predicted the inflation. 

  s.jpg” style=”width: 400px; height: 325px;” />  

                                                            ADOLPH HITLER (1920's)

    

                As I've said before, after fighting in World War I, Adolph Hitler stayed in the military and was given the job of spying on political groups.  Because Germany was in chaos, and the Right and Left hated each other; there was a lot of "Street Violence."  A Train whistled faintly.  

           One of the "Right Wing" groups Hitler was sent to see was the "German Workers Party."  Daisy saw a tv show that said he liked their ideas on "Anti-Semitism" and "Nationalism."  One time Hitler got up and spoke, and right away a lot of the members wanted him to be leader.  

           When Hitler "assumed leadership" of the party in 1921 he then renamed it the "National Socialist German Workers Party" or, as you would say it in German; the "Nationalsozialistische Deutsche Arbeiterpartie"  I'm sure glad they just shortened it down to being "Nazi."                     

  s.jpg” style=”width: 370px; height: 325px;” />

"POST-WAR" GERMANY

               Right Wing men in post-war Germany believed the German military really didn't lose the war but were "Stabbed in the Back" as they say.  My Encyclopedia says some Politicians who "negotiated" peace were Jews so many blamed them.  They were a "convenient scapegoat." 

           Two pictures show how even guys in regular clothes were helping the Police and military fight in the streets against the Communist Left right after World War I.  You can see how many of the people back then were walking around carrying guns.  Two of the Pigeons flew bye.  

           In 1922 that guy Mussolini, with his "Black Shirts;" had taken Italy by force, so Hitler in Germany maybe he could do it too.  But, as I've written about before; his 1923 "Coup" attempt failed when the "Bavarian" Police killed some of his followers.  He was then also arrested.    

                                                    

HITLER ( EARLY 1920'S)

  

          A picture shows Hitler at about the time of his Nazi's failed 1923 "Beer Hall Putsch."  He was put on trial for "Treason," and could've gotten the "Death Penalty;" but instead "used the trial as a platform" to say his ideas.  And it turned out the Judges agreed with what he said.         

          According to what the tv show Dais saw said, Hitler was sent to that "Landsburg" prison I mentioned yesterday but; was allowed to have guests and even wrote his book "Mein Kampf" in there.  One time Mr. Steve's father jokingly described that prison as a "Country Club."               

       This one Encyclopedia says, after Hitler was let out of jail; he immediately "reasserted his authority" in the Nazi party.  Giving up "revolutionary" ideas, he changed the movement into a  "reform" party in trying to get power "within the law."  I smell the baby Cholla cactus.                

                     

HITLER UPON RELEASE FROM PRISON

         When Hitler got out of jail, the economy was doing pretty good; partly because of those American loans.  It was the "Roaring 20's" here in the U.S.  Hitler warned the Germans that the  loans they got were "lopsided," even "exploitive bad deals;" which I guess they really were.          

           Many thought Hitler was exaggerating but then, in October of 1929; the American Stock Market "Crashed."  The Great Depression happened, those loans were "Called In;" and many    couldn't pay.  A lot of the Germans, like Lou Gehrig's parents earlier; became really poor.            

      At that point Hitler, to more and more German people; looked like Nostradamus.  Lou Gehrig's parents, like our boss's parents; moved in the hope of better lives.  But later, when their son wanted to be a Baseball player "For a Living;" his mom thought it was a "foolish" idea.         

                            

                                                                     LOU GEHRIG

PAINTING BY ROBERT LANDSBERG

     

             Lou Gehrig's parents, earlier in the 20th century; had come over here in "chasing the American Dream."   I guess, to them the idea of their son "earning a living" playing sports was ridiculous; they thought of it as being "frivolous entertainment."  That's what it says here.

            Daisy says this good tv show about the 1920's New York "Yankees" talked about how Lou Gehrig played in 2,130 games in a row, a record people thought would "never be broken."  And it was because in the 1930's he thought just like Grandpa Trujillo.  Frida and Diego flew bye.   

           Afraid of losing his job, Lou Gehrig "played through" injuries or when sick.  It was like Mr. Steve's dad jokes, "If you don't mind,  it doesn't matter."  Speedy Gonzalez just ran through the right gate slot, and then disappeared behind that big Creosote bush in back of the Sheds.

   

                                CAL RIPKIN JR.                    CAL JR. / FATHER CAL SR. / BILLY                       

             On the tv show about the Yankees the man mentioned how Lou Gehrig's amazing record for playing in over two thousand consecutive games was broken by Cal Ripkin Junior.  I guess,    from 1981 through to 2001; he played in 2,632 straight games.  A Train whistled faintly.                 

          Wow!  For twenty one seasons that guy Cal Ripkin Jr. played for the Baltimore "Orioles" in setting his record for "durability."   And it says here for a while his father was his Coach and    his brother " a teammate."   Hearing that Train makes me feel better for some reason.                   

        This is so interesting.  As a rookie Lou Gehrig replaced a man named Wally Pipp at First Base for the Yankees. It was "intended to be temporary" but Wally Pipp never got back in, and    Lou Gehrig went on to play for fourteen straight years!  A Train whistled faintly to my left.                    

WALLY PIPP (1893-1965)   

               A picture of Wall Pipp shows him wearing a white New York Yankees hat.  And it even has vertical pin stripes on it just like his uniform.   Mr. Steve one time bought and then sold a replica hat that was based on the one in the picture.  The orange Monarch Butterfly fluttered bye.            

       I guess, Wally Pipp really did not want to "sit out" the game when Lou Gehrig replaced him.  And he turned out to be right too Dais said, because Lou Gehrig did so good the Manager    decided to switch over to him instead.  And then Lou Gehrig went on to do what he did.                

             Dais says the man on the tv show mentioned how it's "ironic" that guy Wally Pipp was the one Lou Gehrig replaced.  He had "Scouted" Lou Gehrig in College at "Columbia" University,      and even recommended the Yankees sign him.   Hey God!  Did You make that happen?                   

STEPHEN HAWKING WITH FAMILY   

             I've written before abut how that guy Lou Gehrig died of the disease Stephen Hawking has now.  It' called A.L.S. and is called "Lou Gehrig's disease."  According to what Daisy heard it slowly effects your muscles just like "Multiple Sclerosis" affected Mr. Doug's wife Susan.  

             Mr. Steve told his father, luckily for Lou Gehrig and Stephen Hawking; they both had or now have good wives who help them a lot in their lives.  At least that's how he perceives it to be.  Both were "Advocates" who turned out to be good partners when things are getting harder. 

            Boy God!  Thinking of Heathcliff  reminds me that life is really fragile.  Daisy says that's the way life is, just when you think everything is going good bad things happen.  So we just have to make each day "Productive," not waste time; and try to "appreciate each moment."

            

 NEW MEXICO

           Over the last three days I've learned so  much about the State of "New Mexico."  Our boss thinks in the history of "New Spain" during the centuries after Christopher Columbus' voyages females played a "vital" part.  All four of the Pigeons are now flying over Libby's Corral.

           I wrote earlier how in the early 1540's that guy Coronado was the first European to see the area that would later be New Mexico.  But the Spanish did not "settle" the region until the early 17th century.  This was when Spanish females first went up there from down in Mexico City.

           It was in 1598 when that man Juan de Oñate led the first "colonial" expedition into New Mexico.  But, I guess the first years in New Mexico were very difficult; and some of the colonists even returned to Mexico.  Mr. Ralph knows about Juan de Oñate from what Daisy heard.  

      

                                                       JUAN DE OÑATE (1550-1626)

  PAINTING BY GIOVANNA PAPONETTI

  

              The Spanish lived and developed New Mexico for about eighty years when, 1680; some of the Indians "revolted" and killed many Spanish.  Then, for the next twelve years New Mexico was "abandoned" by the Spaniards.  The Dragonfly zoomed bye and I heard it coming. 

              I've written before how the Spanish went back up into New Mexico in 1682, and in the "Reconquista" or "Reconquest; Mr. Steve's relative might've been a Soldier.  "Belén" was later established sixty years later in 1740.  I smell Dawn, Blinky and Rosie standing over there.   

             Over the years our Chief has visited Indian "Pueblos" in New Mexico, like the ones in "Taos;" where Mr. Dave and Miss Julianne now live.  In the 1990's he and his friend Armando went to this other place called "Acoma."  It's that Indian village built high on a mountain.  

  

  "ACOMA"    

                                                                                                            PHOTO BY STEVE CÓRDOVA

  

           I guess that guy Coronado's expedition went bye Acoma, which Daisy heard Mr. Dave say is nicknamed the "Sky City."  Our boss and Mr. Armando hiked up to the top, but Coronado did not want to take the time to go up there.  Samson and Delilah are flying toward the east.               

          One time our boss and his father talked about a town called "Mountainair," which is to the east of Belen.  In the 1980's Mr. Steve borrowed his dad's "Chrysler" Car, drove to Mountainair; then saw Spanish ruins in the mountains above town.  Those ruins are called "Abó" I guess.

          At Abó there's an abandoned Spanish Church, and on the day our boss went to see the ruins it was Winter so the weather turned "Dark and Overcast" as they say.  Dais's heard that Mr. Steve's father kept that Chrysler at the "Condominium" in Belén.  Benjamin ran bye.    

                                      

"ABÓ" RUINS 

              Our boss told Mr. Dave, before driving up the windy dirt road that led from  Mountainair to the ruins of Abó he bought food.  When he got up to the ruins it was still sunny as he walked around, took pictures; then ate his lunch in the Car.  There's a vapor trail way up in the sky.

            After he ate his food I guess Mr. Steve read that one yellow book I've written about before called "El Rio Abajo," about central New Mexico along the "Rio Grande" River; where Belén is located.  It's the book our boss's dad is holding in that big painting his mom made of him.

           On that day at Abó "for a time" the scenery was so beautiful our boss told Mr. Dave.  The only thing he could pick up on the AM Radio was this College Football game of the University of Colorado "Rams."  So it was probably on a Saturday because when College games are played. 

          

         UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO "RAMS"                               ST. LOUIS "RAMS"                                              

           Mr. Steve told his mom one time how the College Rams use green as their primary color, with gold and white being the secondary colors.  I guess the professional Football Rams use blue as their primary color, with yellow and white their secondary colors.  I smell some Creosote.

            In my books I've mentioned before how Belén is south of Albuquerque on the west bank of the Rio Grande River.  That's where some of Mr. Steve's relatives still live.  Oh!  A big flock of Birds is now flying toward the northwest way up there in the really beautiful high blue sky.  

             After that Indian revolt of 1680, there were only a few Spanish left up in New Mexico.  A lot of them had been killed.  But, unfortunately for those Indians; twelve years later in 1692 the Spanish came back from Mexico City and killed many Native people in the "Re-Conquista."

CÓRDOVA / CÓRDOBA

                                           

            I've written before how a few years ago Mr. Steve's parents paid this man in New Mexico to research our last name "Córdova," or "Córdoba."  The first Córdova's to settle New Mexico arrived in the 1692 re-conquest.  Another flock of Birds high in the sky is moving to the east. 

           As I've said a few times over the last three days, the man who was the first Córdova in our family "Documented" in New Mexico was most likely a Soldier; based on his list of things.  Mr. Steve's father read a book that talked about a Franciscan Priest named Francisco de Acevedo.

          This is kind of interesting.  The "Junipero Serra of New Mexico" is what they call Fray de Acevedo.  In the first half of the 17th century he "founded" Missions, but many Spanish Priests were killed by the "marauding" Indians in 1680.  A Lizard is standing on the wall over there.

WREN IN CHOLLA CACTUS BUSH

 

              I just glanced up and see a little Wren sitting in that Cholla cactus bush out there in the field behind the Sheds.  I think it's that same Wren I've been seeing over the last three days and, it makes me feel good seeing a familiar sight.  But, I sure do wish we could hear Heathcliff.       

            When the Spanish returned to New Mexico in 1692 their re-conquest was like the bigger one King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella did in Spain in 1492.  Hey God!  As You know, sitting in his Car at the Abó ruins Mr. Steve told his dad he felt so good.  The Wren just flew away.  

            Our boss one time told Mr. Ralph about that day at the Abo ruins.  Hey God!  He sensed You in looking around.  But then, it started to snow slightly and it suddenly "dawned on" him that he had to get back down from mountain.  A Motorcycle zoomed bye out in the desert.

      

EVOLUTION OF THE "TELEPHONE"

      

           Today most people carry "Cell" phones.  Even Mr. Steve carries one of those now obsolete "Flip Open" phones he keeps in case his Car breaks down, or his parents need to call him.  But back then when Mr. Steve went up to Abó they didn't exist or at least he didn't have one yet. 

           As he drove down the mountain Mr. Steve says it started to really snow hard.  He told Mr. Ralph he made it back to Mountainair "just in the nick of time" as a big storm hit.  It might've been really bad had he gotten stuck on that road and that's why he prayed as he drove.  

          Our boss and Mr. Rick one time remembered when Mr. Steve went on "Job Walk" at an Elementary school in Bakersfield.  Coming back through the "Tejon Pass" it began to snow.  I guess Mr. Steve barely made it through before the storm closed the #5 Freeway behind him.

  

          HIGHWAY 138                                       CALIFORNIA HIGH DESERT

 

             When he first moved up here Mr. Steve met an older man.  He said before the time of cell phones, on really hot days if their Car broke down; sometimes people died in them on the side of the road.  Mr. Phillip from Wales calls cell phones "mobile" phones from what Dais heard.  

              All of a sudden I just thought about our boss's mom who, as I've said before; raised five kids and then earned a College "B.A." degree in Art History with a 4.0 "Grade Point Average."   Mr. Steve had a 3.1 "G.P.A." so knows what that took.  Donald and Daisy are quacking.

               Over the last three days I've mentioned Mr. Steve's mom was a Girl Scout Leader, and to this day still enjoys doing "Crafts" and things like that.  Daisy says we have a lot of her crafts in our house.  Her thinking always was, "If you're going to do something then do it right." 

            

MR. DOUG /  MISS SUSAN

 

            Our boss met Mr. Doug in the mid-1970's through that guy Mark Ritter.  Mr. Doug's wife Miss Susan, who like Mark Ritter died; was also really good at making Crafts and doing things like that.  Mr. Steve, who has things she made in the guest bedroom; spoke at her funeral .

           Daisy heard our Chief tell his mom how Mr. Doug is a "decent" person.  Mr. Steve thinks he and Miss Susan together was a good example of "like minds attracting," or how "water seeks its own natural level."  All four of the Pigeons are flying over Libby's Corral over there. 

           I've mentioned a few times over the last three days how Mr. Doug knows how to work on things like "Air Conditioning" and "Heating" units.  And, because when he was growing up in Connecticut his father worked on French "Citroen" Cars; so does he too.  I smell Juniper.   

     

 BRIAN MAY 

   

                  Daisy and Millie one time saw a tv show about that band QUEEN.  When they talked to Brian May about the guitar he and his father built he said his dad believed if you're going to do something you should "do it properly."  I can smell Dawn, Blinky and Rosie over there.

            Our Chief's mom, and Mr. Doug's wife Susan too; liked this old saying, "If a task is once begun, never stop until it's done."  And that's why, even though I feel sad I'm now determined to finish this third and last book today no matter what!  I'll do it in your honor Heathcliff. 

            Hey Heathcliff!  If you're able to mind read me right now I just want to say from me and Dais down here that we're sure going to miss your voice every morning.  But thank you for all of the times when you made us happy to begin the day.  Ah!  Some of the Hens are cackling.

   

HIGH DESERT MID-MORNING SKY

   

             Hey God!  Right now seeing the Sun above the eastern horizon suddenly reminds me of that time last Summer when it felt like You were looking down at us through some clouds.  And it was also about this time in the morning too I remember.  I'd say it's about 10:30 now.

             On that day last Summer there were a lot more clouds in the sky compared to today and it really did seem to Daisy God it might be You looking through a hole in the clouds.  I love to see clouds when they're moving slowly along up in the sky.  Andy's over there sniffing the air.

            Some time back our Chief told his mom he had a "pleasant" dream in which some of his Aunts from New Mexico were "by coincidence" at a same restaurant he was at.  His Aunts Lydia, Ruth, Eloisa, and Dolly talked with him about the past.  Aunt Ruth died a few years ago.  

  

RELATIVES IN NEW MEXICO

 

              The impression his Aunts in New Mexico always gave our boss was of strong people who  helped their husbands.  Being basically decent, they seem to have raised decent children who also turned out to be good partners too.  All of them have been married for about fifty years! 

                   Mr. Steve told his mom he regrets not having been to New Mexico in a while.  He at times thinks of his girl Cousins Doreen, Shirley, Navora, Macrena and Joy; who all seem to be capable women.  "God willing" as Grandma Trujillo used to say, someday he'll visit New Mexico. 

             Not only would our Chief like to see his girl Cousins again; he hopes someday to see his male Cousins like Randy, Gil Aaron, Fernando and Michael.  His Cousin Casey Ray died a few years ago so he couldn't see him.  Mr. Steve says he has some "fond" memories of them. 

  

CÓRDOVA FAMILY

  

             I've written before how Mr. Steve's father, like our boss; is the oldest of five.  His three Brothers are named Gil, Casey and Marty, and their sister Lydia married married a good man named Fernando, but everyone just calls him "Fenny."  Samson and Delilah are flying bye.  

            Dais heard our Chief and his mom one time talking about how our family is fortunate to have men in it who were "Good Providers" for their families.  The history of New Mexico is filled with stories of "hard-working" females Mr. Steve says.  I smell the baby Cholla cactus.  

            Mr. Steve and his mom talked about how for many years it was what they call a "Time Honored Tradition" that women in New Mexico built the "Adobe" houses.  I've said that all four Grandparents lived in houses made of adobe bricks.  And so did Uncle Casey in "Jarales."   

           

"SAN FERNANDO" MISSION 

("ADOBE" WALLS)

PHOTO BY STEVE CORDOVA

 

               Those adobe bricks are made by mixing mud with straw, which is the "Binding Agent" that holds the brick together after the mud dries.   Then you cover the outside with plaster, and paint the surface white.  Mr. Steve took pictures at the San Fernando Mission adobe  walls.

               Just like it was out here in California for a long time, the "structures" the Franciscan Priests built were built using adobe bricks to make the walls.  To this day our boss remembers well the adobe houses his Grandparents lived in.  The Monarch Butterfly just fluttered bye.

               Daisy heard our boss tell his mom one time about a dream he had where he was visiting Jarales and hugging his Aunt Ruth, who died a few years ago.  In that same dream he hugged his Uncle Casey and Cousins Randy, Doreen, Shirley and Casey Ray.  Casey Ray also died.

      

     GRANDPA / GRANDMA TRUJILLO

              

               It was Grandpa Trujillo who built the house Mr. Steve's mom and brothers David and Celedon grew up in.  In that house, on his Grandma's "Hi-Fi;" he enjoyed playing  his Kinks albums.  Dais says Grandma Trujillo influenced his "eclectic" tastes for all kinds of music. 

             From what Mr. Steve read, even way back in the early 1540's; when that guy Coronado came through the area of New Mexico called "El Río Arriba;" they "marveled" at the skill of the Pueblo Indian women who built the structures.  Rio Arriba is "Upper River" in Spanish.  

                 I've mentioned a few times over the last three days how, the area in New Mexico where Mr. Steve's parents are from is called "El Rio Abajo;" or "The River Below."  Of course the river is the Rio Grande River.  Someday I want to read that yellow book "El Rio Abajo."

  MR. RALPH      

       

             Mr. Ralph, who borrowed that book El Rio Abajo from our boss; one time read that in the years of World War II women in New Mexico maintained the adobe houses when the men were "away at war."   Dawn's barking.  Boy!  I really like smelling her and Blinky and Rosie. 

            From what Daisy heard, during the Second World War not only did the women have to maintain the adobe houses; they still had to keep doing the household chores.  And, I guess they also had to do things men usually did too.  I smell Sage.  And that makes me feel good too.

            One time Mr. Ralph read New Mexico's landscape described as "beautiful but at times harsh and unforgiving."  Yet the women, Native and Spanish; were able to create "comfortable havens" for their families.  They made "the present meaningful and the future hopeful."

    

GEORGIA O'KEEFE (1887-1987)

ARTWORK BY TONY VACARRO

 

              Mr. Steve's mom read  Georgia O'Keefe noticed how hard the women of New Mexico worked.  Both of our boss's Grandmothers were hard workers whose houses were really clean.  I've mentioned how Georgia O'Keefe shares a birthday with Mr. Steve's Niece Samantha.

             Grandma Trujillo, who was an orphan so knew poverty; used to say "It's one thing to be poor, another thing to be dirty."  So of course, Mr. Steve's mom thinks in that same exact way, and Miss Maria keeps their house very clean.  There a few skinny clouds up in the sky.

             One think I've definitely learned over the last three days in these really long books is how important females are.  Hey God!  Are we the "Conduit" or connection between You Guys up in Heaven and us down here on Earth.  We're the way life continues and keeps going on and on.

     

               "COWGIRLS" IN THE OLD WEST             

   

             According to what our boss has read, females have always been "Integral" to the history of the "West."  Of course the food they created is unique, but many women in New Mexico have also had to be those "Ranchers" and "Sheep Herders" too.   A Train whistled faintly.

             I just thought about how, in Spanish New Mexico since the early 17th century; one big problem has always been "Indian Raids."  That book "El Rio Abajo" describes them.  A breeze brought Libby's totally unique scent into my right nostril, which makes me feel so good. 

            Daisy says she heard our boss and Mr. Ralph talk about how, you would expect "Apache" and "Comanche" Indians to attack towns like Belén.  But I guess the "Navaho," not known for being warlike; also raided too back then.  Belen had a wall around it in the 18th century. 

                           

FLOCK OF BIRDS

 

          I just glanced up and see a flock of Birds flying bye up in the sky, which makes me feel better about Heathcliff.   It's going to be so weird tomorrow morning and in some ways God I'm  not looking forward to it.  And I know for sure Dais is up there thinking the same thing too.           

             Some of the females in our family have been good Athletes, like Mr. Steve's brother Sam's wife Yolanda for example.  She was a good Softball Player, as was our boss's Cousin Doreen when they were growing up.  Sam and Yolanda's daughter Raqquel is a good Volleyball Player.              

          Yesterday in my second book I wrote about how, during World War II in the 1940's; there were women Baseball Players who for a time even had a League of their own.  But they had to      wear skirts so their legs likely got scratched and cut our boss thinks.  Oh!  that would hurt.           

      

                       IRENE RUHNKE (1943)                                         JEAN FAUT 

   

             Pictures in this Encyclopedia shows two of the girl Baseball Players from the time of the Second World War.  I see my green ball still sitting over there  at the far end of the Patio.  I really feel like chewing on it right now but, I'll just have to resist the temptation to stop working.

             Oh!  What a coincidence that, just as I'm about to mention that one movie "A League of Their Own" who do I see?  Bravo Company, with Laverne and Shirley leading them; is going bye out there in the field behind the Sheds.  Seeing them makes me feel like working hard today. 

             Daisy and Millie are so lucky because they got to see that movie A League of Their Own. They were in the living room that night and saw it.  It's mainly about two sisters who are hired or  "Recruited" to play for a team called the "Peaches."  I like the way that name sounds.

   

"A LEAGUE OF THEIR OWN"

  

                 Someday I really want to see that movie A League of Their Own.  Daisy says in it this "Scout" sees how good of a Baseball Player the older sister is and offers her a job, but she's not interested.  A small Lizard ran bye out there on the dirt near the new baby Cholla cactus.

            The Scout tells the younger sister if she can convince her older sister to come and play for his team then he'll hire her too.  So that younger sister, who really wants to get out of her small town; convinces her older sister to do it.  I guess the older sister is a really good "Catcher."

                The day before yesterday in book one I wrote about the Chicago "Cubs" Baseball team and how for a long time they were owned by the "Wrigley" family who sold chewing gum.  This man named Philip K. Wrigley is the one who started the girls league during World War II.

          

BERT CAMPANERIS 

             

             I just thought of how the girl Baseball Players had to wear skirts so scratched their legs, which Daisy heard Mr. Rick call "strawberries."  One time our boss and his brother Sam were remembering Bert Campaneris who played for the A's.  He was our boss's favorite Player.

             I've mentioned before how that guy Bert Campaneris was originally from "Cuba," just like Mr. Rich's parents too.   A fast runner, Mr. Steve says his slides into a base were so good he seemed to "glide through the air."  The "key" to sliding is to do it "at full speed" he said. 

            Daisy says there's a sad scene in that movie A League of Their Own, when one of the girls on the team finds out her husband has been "Killed in Action;" or "K.I.A."  He had been in the South Pacific fighting the Japanese.   Boy!  I sure hope we never have a war in this country.

               

   THE "ROARING" 1920'S

         

             After that "Black Sox" scandal in 1919 not as many people liked Baseball anymore, but then in the 1920's Babe Ruth's home runs brought them back.  Major League Players didn't get paid as much as they do now so girls got paid even less Daisy heard.  Daffy's quacking.  

            Dais thinks if our boss's father could go use Mr. Peabody's Way Back time machine he'd go see New York City in the 1920's, especially the "Stock Exchange."   Mr. Steve would want to see the 1920's New York "Yankees" play.  Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig were on those teams.

           The American economy was "booming" in the "Roaring Twenties."  But, then the 1930's came and that was the time of the Great Depression; which I've learned about over the last three days.   Hey God!  I know I keep on saying it but thank You for this good project to work on.

    

  "BABE" DIDRIKSON ZAHARIUS (1911-1956) WITH HUSBAND

       

                  One time our boss and his mom talked about how there are some females can be really good Athletes, especially in a sport where size and strength aren't as necessary.  One was a girl named "Babe" Didrikson Zaharius.  She was from "Port Arthur" Texas like Janis Joplin.

             My Encyclopedia says that girl Babe Didrikson was given her nickname because, as a Golfer, Baseball Player, Basketball Player and Track star; she was as good as Babe Ruth.  But I notice she died young at the age of only forty five.   Frida and Diego are now flying bye.

            I guess, Babe Didrikson's family moved to Texas from the country of "Norway."  As I've written before a few times over the last three days, Miss Sandy's parents were Norwegian too.  Miss Helena, Mr. Eddie in "Lake Los Angeles" landlady; is also originally from Norway.  

  

BABE RUTH / BABE DIDRIKSON

             Daisy heard our boss and Mr. Rick talk about how someday they think there might be a female professional Baseball Player.   A picture shows that girl Babe Didrikson, whose real first name is "Mildred" I notice; with Babe Ruth.  The caption says he signed a baseball for her. 

             I guess Babe Didrikson married a Wrestler named George Zaharius.  The real spelling of her last name was "Didriksen."  Her hometown of Port Arthur is known as being an "Oil Town," which means they drill for oil there Daisy once told me.   Andy's over there sniffing the air.

            Mr. Steve met a Norwegian lady who told him Babe Didrikson's mother had been calling her "bebe" since she was a little girl, so that's where she got her nickname.  Babe Didrikson grew up in Port Arthur on the coast.  But after graduating High School she moved to "Dallas."

      

DALLAS, TEXAS

             Dallas is to the east of "Arlington," where Mr. Steve's brother now lives with Rocky Jr. and Jacob.  The Norwegian lady told our boss Babe Didrikson was also a good  "seamstress," who even made her own clothes.  Mr. Steve showed her the quilt his sister Celina made.

             That girl Babe Didrikson must've been a very talented person because Mr. Steve heard she sang and even played the harmonica on a few records.  Wow!  That is talented alright.  Cher is using the right vertical gate slot to go out into the back field and I can tells she's hungry.  

            I guess Babe Didrikson died of cancer.  Oh!  This one Encyclopedia says in the 1932 "Los Angeles Olympics she won two gold medals, and one silver in the high jump.  In hurdle running she first set the world record, then broke her own record later in that same exact Olympics.

     

DANNY THOMAS (1912-1991) / ELVIS PRESLEY (1935-1977)

("ST. JUDE" HOSPITAL / 1964)

                Oh!  Mentioning how that girl Babe Didrikson died of cancer makes me remember how I was supposed to write about a Hospital called "St. Jude."  I was supposed to write about it in book two yesterday but missed it on my outline.  A man named Danny Thomas founded it.

            Daisy heard St. Jude's, who our boss and his parents have given money to; is a "Charity" group.  A picture shows Danny Thomas with Elvis, who helped him raise money for the Hospital; which treats kids with cancer.  Elvis was born about eight months before Mr. Steve's mom. 

           Mr. Steve's mom read Danny Thomas, whose family are "Christians" from that country of "Lebanon;" started his first Hospital in the 1950's.  There are now a few of them and one is here in Southern California.  Danny Thomas was a good Entertainer from what Daisy's heard. 

        

SAINT JUDE (?-c.65 A.D.)

                 Hey St. Jude!  If you just happen to be up there listening in on me through mind reading; I just want to say say thanks for helping people down here.  I guess, from what Dais heard one time; Danny Thomas began his Hospitals in your honor.  I can smell the Twins out there.

            Daisy says one time our boss and his mom talked about how you St. Jude are the patron saint of "Lost Causes."  Mr. Steve's mom read Danny Thomas was about to have his first child and had only seven dollars in his pocket.  He was desperate for help from what Dais heard.

           That guy Danny Thomas was in a Church and asked you for help St. Jude; then put his last seven dollars in the Charity Box.  He said please help him and if you did he would someday build a shrine to you.   Samson and Delilah are now flying over Libby's Corral over there.

   

MID MORNING VIEW TO THE EAST 

   

                   Hey St. Jude!  You're so lucky to have been one of the twelve Apostles, but it's too bad you had to have your head cut off.  Mr. Steve met an Armenian lady one time who told him how it was you who first started their Christian Church.  I love looking at the Sun right now.

            Daisy told me that Armenian lady also said Emperor Constantine I was not the first to make Christianity a "State Religion."  About thirty years before that a Kingdom in Armenia did it.  Hey St. Jude!  Daisy heard the lady say how you might've been our Lord's brother.

           Over the last three days I've mentioned that guy Joe, the Barber in San Fernando.  Like Danny Thomas, his family were Lebanese immigrants who ending up living in the city of Detroit too.  So, over the years as he got a haircut; one thing they talked about was Danny Thomas.     

                      

 MARY BEARD

  

                 In my books I've mentioned a few times how our boss likes watching the tv shows of that English lady Mary Beard.  Daisy saw an episode where, when she was in the city of "Rome;" she touched the big toe of that giant statue of Constantine I.  Frida and Diego are flying bye.

            In 1985 Mr. Steve and the St. Ferdinand's Tour Group also touched Constantine's toe too.  His sister Celina, and Grandma Córdova; were amazed at how such a gigantic statue could even have been made.  Hey St. Jude!  If I'm ever hopeless again I'll definitely pray to you for sure.

           Daisy heard Mary Beard say there were hundreds of small Shrines throughout the ancient Roman Empire, mainly because Romans asked their Gods for help and pledged to build a shrine in exchange.  In Columbus's time Sailors made the same bargain with You Blessed Mother. 

THE BEATLES

              Someday I really want to hear that 1968 BEATLES song "Hey Jude," which Dais heard was written by Paul McCartney for John Lennon's son "Julian;" and not about you St. Jude.  It's an optimistic song but the band weren't getting along then. 

         Mr. Dave heard while making Hey Jude Ringo quit the band, and Paul McCartney and George Harrison argued about that song.  Daisy says Hey Jude is about seven minutes song but the last few minutes all the BEATLES sing is "Na-Na-Na-Na."  Mr. Dave called it a "coda."

         Daisy heard Mr. Ralph say he read in 1968, before recoding Hey Jude; Paul McCartney "tried it out" for that BONZO DOG BAND and the members of BADFINGER.   Mr. Dave heard Hey Jude was the first BEATLES song ever recorded with eight-track recording equipment. 

                                                 

"HOUSE OF DAVID" TEAM

   

               Miss Susan at work, who's Jewish but converted to Christianity; had this customer in  "Michigan" who told her about a Museum back there.  It's for that "House of David" Jewish Baseball team I've mentioned before.  A good colorized photo shows one of their teams.  

               It says here that Jewish Baseball team were from a "religious commune" who didn't cut their hair and believed in "clean living."  The commune began in 1903 but their Baseball team started to "barnstorm" around the country playing their games in 1914.  Dawn's barking.

              1914 was the year World War I began, and the year Grandma Trujillo was born.  As one of those "Gimmicks," Babe Didrikson and Babe Ruth wore fake beards and played Baseball for a time with the House of David team.  Smelling Dawn, Blinky and Rosie makes me feel good.

               JACKIE MITCHELL (1913-1987)                           1927 N.Y. "YANKEES"                                                                              

              I just looked up a girl named Jackie Mitchell, who was a Baseball Pitcher.  It says here in 1931 Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig, in an "exhibition" game like the ones the House of David teams played, and Jackie Mitchell pitched against them.  The 1927 Yankees were a really good team.

             Exhibition just means a sporting event is not an "official" or real game so does not count in the standings.  I guess, that girl Jackie Mitchell was only seventeen years old when she "faced" Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig.  A good icture shows them watching her as she makes a pitch.

            I see Jackie Mitchell was left-handed, the caption says she used a "sinker" to "strike out" Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig too; what she called her "drop ball."  They were both left-handed batters.  Oh!  Jackie Mitchell wore a fake beard and traveled with that House of David team. 

 

BONNIE FEEDING BABIES

   

                    Bonnie just flew in and is now throwing up some Bugs to feed her babies, who had been asleep but woke up a few minutes ago.  They're all chirping but that one chick's voice is so much louder.   Every time I hear it I think of how strong Daffy's voice is over there next door.

                   Daisy heard some people back in 1931 didn't believe Jackie Mitchel had really struck out Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig.  They said it was just a "stunt," but I guess both Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig denied it.  Wow!  Hearing Bonnie's babies right now is making me feel really good.

             Oh!  It says here that girl Jackie Mitchell was from the State of "Tennessee," and lived in that city "Chattanooga" which I wrote about yesterday.  During the Civil War, because it was a "Railroad Junction;"  it was very important in 1863 and 1864.   I love how baby Birds sound.

FEMALE SOFTBALL PITCHER

            Mr. Steve says he knows from his own experience that some females can be good Baseball Players.  One time he and Mr. Rick talked about a girl they knew back in High School who was named "Cathy."   She was a "Softball" Pitcher who could throw really, really fast I guess.      

      Both Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig complimented Jackie Mitchel's "drop" ball.  That girl Cathy was right handed and in Softball you pitch using an "underhanded" style.   Daisy says our boss thinks Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig were probably just being nice to that girl Miss Jackie.      

         Dais heard when that girl Cathy threw a pitch toward the batter the ball would rise on the way.  She threw hard and, whether batting right or left-handed; our Chief says he could "barely even foul off" a pitch against her.  Bonnie finished feeding her babies and now flew away.            

  

CRISTINA /  MR. STEVE'S MOM

         Our boss says at first it was "kind of embarrassing" when he couldn't hit any of that girl Cathy's pitch's, but when it also happened to other guys it didn't seem so bad.  Daisy heard that  girl Cathy got a College scholarship to play at U.S.C.  Someday I'd like to smell a campus.            

          That girl Cathy's pitches "really moved" our Chief says.  He told Mr. Rick it seemed like the "ball was on top of you before you even knew it."   I wonder if maybe someone could start a  Baseball League for Dogs?   Maybe we could even do it and make any money produced.                

           Dais one time heard our boss and Mr. Gary the Barber down there in San Fernando talk about Jewish Boxers.  I guess some say Jews aren't good Athletes, but Mr. Steve tells them about an early 20th century Fighter named Benny Leonard.   The Monarch Butterfly fluttered bye.

    

BENNY LEONARD (1896-1947)

            Mr. Gary, and also Mr. Ralph and our boss's father too; know about Benny Leonard.  I guess he was one of the best Boxers of all time.  He was in the category of "Lightweight," which means between one hundred and thirty and one hundred and thirty five pounds Dais says. 

           My Encyclopedia says, not only was Benny Leonard one of "the most intelligent" Fighters ever; he was a "powerful puncher" too.  That one man Nat Fleischler, who published his "Ring" Magazine; said Benny Leonard was the "second best Lightweight of all time."  I smell Sage.  

           I wonder if Mr. Steve knows that Benny Leonard was "inducted" into the Hall of Fame in 1955, the same year he was born.  His family were some of those Russian "Ashkenazi" Jews I've written about over the last three days.  The Dragonfly zoomed bye, moving toward the north. 

  

                                                                                                  "ELLIS" ISLAND    

                 One time our boss was at the "Ten Goose" Gym and heard a kid ask an older man why there are so few white Boxers.  The man said, "One reason is because for them there are far less dangerous ways to make a living." Smelling Sage right now is makes me think of last Spring.

           Mr. Gary the Barber thinks in the 19th and 20th centuries you can tell who the "poorest" groups in American society are by who did the most dangerous jobs.  So, in the early 1900's the Boxers were Irish, Italian and; even Jews like that guy Bennie Leonard.  Dawn's barking.   

             Dais heard Mr. Ralph, who when young was one of those "Sparring Partners;" tell our boss about painful memories of  "body punch's."  Mr. Steve's father still has a clear memory of his nose being broken.  Rudy, with a dead Lizard in his mouth; just ran underneath Jack.

    

"RING" MAGAZINE

                                   

                Wow!  My Encyclopedia describes that guy Benny Leonard as a "flawless tactician" and "technician;" Mr. Gary read he "thought fast on his feet."   Oh!  I notice that he was born on April the 7th, only two days before Miss Emily's birthday.  Her family is also Jewish too.

            This is so interesting.  It says here Benny Leonard is a fake name because he didn't want his parents to find out he was a Boxer because. even though they were poor; they were against him being a Fighter.  But there were eight kids in his family so he wanted to help them.

            I guess Benny Leonard's family lived in New York City's "Jewish Ghetto" in Manhattan's "Lower East Side," so growing up Benny Leonard had to street fight Irish, Italians and even the other Jews.  His father had to work six twelve hours days per week.  So they needed money.

  

NEW YORK CITY  

 

                 Oh wow!  It says here that Benny Leonard; who is described as having been a "precision combination puncher; " lost all his money in that famous 1929 "Stock Market Crash" which is the beginning of the "Great Depression."  Dawn's barking.   I can smell Blinky next to her. 

            Daisy says one time she and Millie heard our boss and Mr. Gary talking about that guy Benny Leonard.  Mr. Gary read Benny Leonard tried not to hurt opponents when he "had them helpless."  He was "accurate with punches," and "moved his feet well" Mr. Gary said.

            It says here what Mr. Gary and our Chief talked about, how because he'd lost his money in 1929; Benny Leonard tried to make one of those "Comebacks" I've written about.  Dais says Mr. Gary used the term "ill-advised" to describe it.  The Butterfly fluttered bye right now.

                                                              

HANK GREENBERG (1911-1986)

            When people say Jews aren't good Athletes, Mr. Steve tells them of a 1930's and 1940's Baseball Player named Hank Greenberg, who played for the Detroit "Tigers."  He was one of the best "power hitters."  I guess he was almost as powerful as even Babe Ruth Daisy heard. 

            Our boss told Mr. Ralph he now realizes how fortunate he and his friends were one time back in June of 1966.  His father dropped them off at "Dodger Stadium," and it just so happened that left-handed guy Sandy Koufax was pitching.  A Sparrow just landed on Moe the Shed.

            Daisy heard Sandy Koufax was Jewish, and is now considered to have been one of the all time greatest Pitchers in history.  This is interesting.  According to this Encyclopedia Sandy Koufax pitched his first game for the Brooklyn Dodgers one month before our boss was born.

  

SANDY KOUFAX

PHOTO BY AL MESSERSCHMIDT

 

             Daisy and Millie saw a good tv show about the "Dodgers" franchise, both in "Brooklyn" and then later "Los Angeles."  Sandy Koufax first started pitching for them in Brooklyn and he came with them out here to California.  Two of the Pigeons are flying over Libby's Corral.

            The man on the tv show said at first Sandy Koufax threw hard but didn't have very good control of his pitches.  He "walked" a lot of Batters, but then realized he didn't have to throw so hard to get them out; and from then on "dominated."  The Sparrow on Moe flew away.

           Our boss thinks, from 1961 through 1966; Sandy Koufax was probably the best Pitcher of all time.  Some joked, because of the great "velocity" of his pitches; it was "unfair" to try to hit against him.  And like Mr. Rick when he was young, he also had a "wicked curve" ball too.

    

SANDY KOUFAX

ARTWORK BY SONNY MARR

 

           Our boss told his brother Sam one time how that guy Sandy Koufax only had two pitches, a fastball and a curve.  And he what they call "tipped off" when he was going to throw each one.  That means the Batter knew in advance which pitch Sandy Koufax was going to throw. 

          When Sandy Koufax threw a fast ball his elbows were tight against his body and when he threw a curve his elbows were sticking out a little bit.  But Mr. Rick said, "it didn't matter;" if he was "on" that day he was "almost impossible to hit."  Andy's over there sniffing the air.  

          1966 was Sandy Koufax's last season, his "most dominant;" winning 27 games.  Yogi Berra joked he "couldn't understand how Sandy Koufax lost any games."  But he did lose that day 3-0, and only lost three games that entire season so; Mr. Steve saw a really unique thing I guess.

   

LARRY DIERKER (1972)

          

            Back in June of 1966 Sandy Koufax lost that one game to a guy on the Houston "Astros" named Larry Dierker.   He pitched a"Shutout" against the Dodgers.  Daisy says our boss told his brother Sam as a kid he copied they way Larry Dierker wore the stirrups on his uniform.

            I've written before how in most seasons the Astros use navy blue as their primary color, with orange and white being the secondary colors; and every once in a while yellow too.  In 1966 they wore uniforms with dark navy blue.  Dais says our boss has drawn a few Astros logos.  

             Over the last three days I've mentioned how Mr. Ramon, our Mechanic on the Highway; likes orange.  So Mr. Steve gave him the navy blue Astros hat with the orange star behind a white "H."  Mr. Ramon's last name starts with H so he tells people "that's what it stands for." 

    

 JAMES RODNEY RICHARD 

        Our boss talked with Mr. Rick about another "intimidating" Pitcher who was six feet eight inches tall.  His name was James Rodney Richard, he played for the Astros in the 1980's and like  Sandy Koufax; threw really hard.  But I guess he had a "Stroke" so had to stop playing.                

       Before the economic recession Mr. Steve had this customer in "Louisiana," where James Rodney Richard is from.  Mr. Steve told the Parts Manager he saw him pitch against the Dodgers in the mid-1980's.  A small flock of Birds is flying toward the east way up there in the sky.             

         Hey God!  Daisy heard that one Parts Manager say James Rodney Richard ended up being homeless, but now is doing a lot better because You helped him.  That's what he tells the people he talks to now.  Lord!  He even became a Christian Minister for You from what Dais heard.                          

           U.C.S.B.           

 

         A few years ago our boss sold things to a man from "Woodland Hills," who said Astros Pitcher Larry Dierker went to "Taft" High School.  And, Larry Dierker also attended College in "Santa Barbara" where Mr. Steve's sister Susan went for two years.  Dawn's barking.                   

           Mr. Steve told his brother Sam in 1966 the Astros had Joe Morgan, Jimmy Wynn and also Rusty Staub.  Yesterday I wrote about the 1971 game our boss saw in Atlanta where Rusty Staub, for the Montreal "Expos;" hit a home run against the "Braves."  I smell some Mesquite.               

        Dais heard Mr. Rick say he read the first Batter Larry Dierker faced in the Major Leagues was Willie Mays, who he struck out.  I guess, for a few years Larry Dierker later "managed" the Astros too.  Smelling Mesquite right now is making me so glad to be sitting here on Elvira.           

 

VAPOR TRAIL     

   

                I just noticed an extending vapor trail moving slowly across the sky.  Boy!  Seeing it right now, and smelling Mesquite; is reminding of last Spring when the same two things happened.  Oh my God!  And now some of the Ducks are quacking over there just like that time last year too.  

           Someday I want to see a Baseball game.  Daisy heard the man on the tv show say Sandy Koufax "threw" four of those "No Hitters" I've mentioned before.  In another game, not only did the other team not get any hits; they didn't have even a single base runner either.  Wow!

          In a "Perfect Game," because there are three "Outs" per "Inning" and nine innings; there were twenty seven Batters Sandy Koufax faced in that game.  He was so dominant he didn't even "Walk" an opposing Hitter.  Andy's over there sniffing the air and just picked up my scent.

        

MR. RICK  

 

              Mr. Rick, who was a "hard thrower" as a Pitcher himself; still remembers the explosive "pop!" when Sandy Koufax's fastball hit the Catcher's mitt.  I've mentioned before how, when they were teenagers; our boss was Mr. Rick's personal Catcher.   Libby just now whinnied.

             Growing up, when he was his friend Rick's Catcher, he heard that same pop sound a few times too.  The palm of his left hand was often bruised because Mr. Rick threw really hard.  And his "ball had a tail" or movement on it so you had to concentrate in order to not get hurt. 

            Anyone not familiar with Rick's fastballs wouldn't at first know about this movement.  It sometimes hit the palm of their hand and really hurt.  At times Mr. Steve would go with Rick to "Try Out" at places like that "Jackie Robinson Field" down there in a city called "Compton." 

CHET BREWER (1907-1990)

     

             One time Mr. Chris, who grew up in "Watts;" was here visiting with us after he brought us some things.  I remember how our boss told him about the times he and Mr. Rick went down to Compton.  The man they were there to pitch for was this tall man named Chet Brewer.

            I guess that man Chet Brewer was one of those "Scouts."  He'd pitched in those "Negro Leagues" for over twenty years, before blacks were allowed to play in the Major Leagues.  In the early 1970's Chet Brewer scouted for the Pittsburgh "Pirates," Mr. Rick's favorite team. 

           Rick threw hard but never did quite have the "Control" needed to pitch up at any higher level.  Twice Mr. Steve went down to Compton, to catch Rick in front of that man Chet Brewer; who at one time was on the same team as Satchel Paige.  Both were right-handed Pitchers.

                                                      

  SATCHEL PAIGE (KANSAS CITY "MONARCHS")   

   

                  Chet Brewer was a teammate of Satchel Paige on the Kansas City "Monarchs."  I like the mitt he's using in this Encyclopedia picture of him, because it looks thick so would give you a lot of protection.  Mr. Steve, in both left and right handed; has all different types of mitts.    

             I guess, from what Dais heard; after he retired as a Player Chet Brewer coached and one of the Players he taught was Jackie Robinson.  This was before Jackie Robinson went up to the Dodgers a few years later.  Chet Brewer seems like a nice person from what Dais heard.  

            Another Major League Pitcher who was a really hard thrower is named Nolan Ryan, who for eight years played for the A's big rivals the California or sometimes Anaheim "Angels."  Mr. Steve saw him pitch one time in the early 1970's.  Blackbeard and Anne are now flying bye.    

             

               ANGELS                       NOLAN RYAN                        RANGERS         

                                                                                                                

          Mr. Steve thinks the Angels "letting Nolan Ryan go" was one of the "biggest mistakes the franchise ever made."  It wasn't as bad as the Red Sox letting Babe Ruth "get away," but it was a "bad move."  From Texas, he and his wife and kids liked him signing with the "Rangers."            

          That Parts Manager told our Chief he noticed how Nolan Ryan's fastball also made a loud noise on hitting the Catcher's mitt.  The Angels thought he wasn't as good anymore but he sure  proved them wrong, doing just as good with the Rangers and then the "Astros."  I love Sage!       

           In 1995 Mr. Steve visited his brother's family in Texas.  One of the things they did was to visit the Stadium in Arlington where the Texas Rangers played their home games.  There was no game going on so they went to this restaurant high above the right field area Daisy heard.    

                     

 "ARLINGTON" STADIUM

  

            In 1995 when they were at the stadium in Arlington they went and sat in seats under a big   canopy type roof.  Looking around at the totally empty stadium from way up high in right field, they had a great "Wide Angle" view of the field from such an elevation.  Daffy's quacking.

            When they were sitting in that empty stadium in Texas this guy pointed out a seat with an "X" marked on it.  A Player named "Mo" Vaughn, in "Batting Practice" one time; hit a ball all the way up there and hit the seat.   He hits left-handed and "pulled the ball" into right field. 

           Mr. Steve and his brother Rock were totally amazed at how far that guy Mo Vaughn hit that ball, because the seat he hit was at all of the way at the top and back of the big tall seating area in right field.  Samson and Delilah are flying over Libby's Corral, moving to the east.  

                               

"MO" VAUGHN 

            Daisy heard our boss one time talk with his brother Sam about Mo Vaughn, who I guess did good with Boston Red Sox; then came out here to Southern California to play for the Angels.  "Even if it was only in Batting Practice" he hit that ball really far Mr. Steve told his brother.       

          Mo Vaughn didn't end up doing that great with the Angels Dais says, so after two years they traded him to the New York "Mets;" but he ended up getting injured so had to retire.  I've mentioned before how Mets is just short for "Metropolitans."  Frida and Diego flew bye.              

             In 1966 our boss remembers the crowd cheering when Sandy Koufax walked out to the Bullpen to warm up before that game, something he'd never seen before.  I wrote about how Mr. Steve thinks an Entertainer has to know when to quit and Sandy Koufax quit after that year.

     

JIM BROWN (CLEVELAND "BROWNS")

   

             There were people who thought Sandy Kofax retired too early, the same way some said that one Football Player Jim Brown stopped his career "prematurely."  But, Mr. Steve thinks it was smart for Sandy Koufax to retire when he did; at the "peak" of his career.  I smell Sage.

             Many Athletes and Entertainers "embarrass themselves" by not quitting, and very often become a "Caricature" or "Parody" of their earlier selves our boss thinks.  But Sandy Koufax is an example of a Player knowing when to "hang them up" as they say.  Sage smells so good.

            Daisy heard Mr. Rick and our Chief talk about how Sandy Koufax retired after the 1966 season mainly because in order to pitch he had to take drugs to help the pain in his left elbow.  I guess he really didn't like the feeling of "being high" while pitching.  Libby just whinnied.

                                                             

                                                                              "YOGI" BERRA                                   

       

           Mr. Ralph heard an interview where Yogi Berra said he thought Sandy Koufax "probably could have gone a few more years" but was "smart to quit."  I've mentioned how Yogi Berra was born on May the 12th just like Mr. Steve's sister in law Miss Yolanda.  I can smell Creosote.

           Yogi Berra non intentionally said some funny things, like when they asked him about this Restaurant he told them; "Nobody goes there anymore because it's too crowded."  Another time he said "It ain't over until it's over."  Smelling that Creosote is making me feel pretty good. 

          Mr. Steve read that Yogi Berra, who was short and overweight; had tremendous "hand eye coordination" so was a really good "Clutch Hitter" who "adapted to pitches."  And, as a Catcher he was a great "field general;" or like a "smart chess player."  He "Set Up" the Hitters.

  

ROGER MARIS / YOGI BERRA / MICKEY MANTLE

    

          Even though he didn't look like a good Athlete Yogi Berra "made up for it by being smart. He was a part of that famous Yankee lineup with Roger Maris and Mickey Mantle.  They hit the Home Runs and he did a lot of other things from what Daisy heard.  Daffy's now quacking.

         It's interesting how Yogi Berra's real fist name is "Lawrence," but another Player one time told him he looked like a "Yogi" because of how he "sat on the ground with his arms crossed." I guess, from what Dais heard; a person who "practices Yoga" is called a Yogi.  I like Daffy.      

       This is funny!  Yogi Berra, who played for the Yankees, once said; "You can observe a lot by just watching." Another time he said; "It's like Déjà Vú all over again."  Mr. Ralph read about Yogi Berra's great "bat control" as a Hitter, which allowed him to "adjust" to each pitch.

   

    D-DAY / JUNE 6, 1945

 ("NORMANDY" INVASION)

 

                Daisy says Mr. Ralph told our boss he read, before he on the Yankees, Yogi Berra was in the Navy and took part in "D-Day."  I guess he was what they call a "Gunner's Mate."  There are beautiful puffy clouds moving really slowly across the sky up there above the desert.

           Yogi Berra got wounded in the hand during D-Day Mr. Ralph read, but he didn't report it because he didn't want to worry his mom.  So he never got one of those "Purple Heart" medals I've written about before.   All four Pigeons are flying over Libby's Corral moving to the east.

        Mr. Ralph thought is was so funny when Yogi Berra said, "The future ain't what it used to be."  And another time he told an opponent, "You wouldn't have won if we'd have beaten you."    Boy God!  Seeing those slow moving clouds going to the south is making me feel really good.         

   

"YOGI BEAR"

     

           Mr. Ralph was once told "Yogi Bear" is named after Yogi Berra.  That reminds me how on some Saturdays we would right now be in the living room watching cartoons.  Boy!  What a big and huge honor it would be to actually have a cartoon character named after you.  Wow!  

           Daisy heard Mr. Ralph and our boss talk about Yogi Berra, and his friend Joe Garagiola; another Baseball Player.  They've been friends since kids growing up in that city of "St. Louis, which Mr. Steve visited that time.  Hey God!  I think I'm sensing You in the clouds up there.

          I guess, in 1942 when the U.S. was just starting to get involved in the Second World War, Yogi Berra and Joe Garagiola "tried out" for their hometown "Cardinals."  That man Branch Rickey was their "General Manager," before he went over to the Dodgers.  Dawn's barking.

  

                              ROBINSON / RICKEY                                             JACKIE ROBINSON

    

                 Right after World War II ended that man Branch Rickey was working for the Brooklyn Dodgers and that's when he made Jackie Robinson the first black Player in the Major Leagues. Hey God!  Thank You so much for how I'm feeling right now is feeling You up in the clouds. 

             Daisy heard Yogi Berra's friend Joe took the five hundred dollars Branch Rickey offered him to sign with the Cardinals, but Yogi Berra "turned it down; which got Branch Rickey mad and he said Yogi Berra would never "amount to much" in Baseball.  Boy was he wrong!

           Yogi Berra not only turned out to be one of the best "Defensive" Catchers in history; he became one of the best Hitters "in pressure situations" I guess.  As a "mainstay" member of the Yankees he ended up playing in seventy five World Series games.  Andy's looking at me.

                            

                                       MARILYN MONROE / JOE DIMAGGIO (1953)

       

              Daisy heard that when someone asked Yogi Berra if Joe DiMaggio marrying Marilyn Monroe was "good for Baseball" he replied; " I don't know if it's good for Baseball, but it sure beats the Hell out of rooming with Phil Rizzuto."  A Train whistled faintly out in the desert.

             I guess that guy Phil Rizzuto was Joe DiMaggio's roommate when they played for the Yankees.  Yogi Berra one time said, "It was impossible to get a good conversation going because everyone was talking too much."   Fannie and Freddie are flying bye talking to each other.

            Daisy heard one time at a ceremony held in his honor Yogi Berra said, "I want to thank everyone for making this day necessary."  Oh!  I just noticed how now the clouds are moving a little bit faster so I can see different shapes forming.  I know Dais is up there noticing this.

  

   MUHAMMAD ALI'S PRESS CONFERENCE   

(CLEVELAND / JUNE 4, 1967)

PHOTO BY ROBERT ABBOTT SENGESTAKE

              I'm looking at that one photo of the "Press Conference" Muhammad Ali held when he announced he wouldn't go into the military during the Vietnam War.  One of the black Athletes there to support him is the Football Player Jim Brown.   He's sitting next to Muhammad Ali.

             Dais says Mr. Steve thinks, even though he was too young to see him when he was at his best in the late 1950's, Jim Brown was probably the best "Running Back" ever.  And, like Sandy Koufax, he "left on top" as they say.  A little Sparrow with a twig in its mouth just ran bye.

            From what Daisy heard, that guy Jim Brown also retired when he seemed to be doing so good.   I guess, not only was he a fast runner; he also had a lot of power too.  So, as a man on this good tv show Daisy and Millie saw said; he could either run "past you" or "through you."     

   

"THE DIRTY DOZEN" (1967)

 

             Dais says the tv show mentioned how, after he quit playing Football; Jim Brown became an Actor.   She and Millie saw this World War II movie our boss likes called "The Dirty Dozen" with him in it.  It had a lot of famous Actors in it from what she heard our boss tell someone.

             Mr. Steve was twelve when The Dirty Dozen movie came out, so he and his friends had to sneak in to see it.  His parents would've not approved at all, especially because it was not meant for kids.  Cher, with a small Field Mouse hanging out of her mouth; just ran under Jack.

                I guess Mr. Dave also liked that movie The Dirty Dozen too.  Besides Jim Brown, Charles Bronson, Lee Marvin and Telly Savalas also played parts in that movie.  Our boss told Mr. Dave he once met and then shook hands with Telly Savalas at this Boxing show in Universal City. 

 

    HIGH DESERT SKY

     

                     Hey You Guys!  Looking up from down here on Elvira, and seeing some clouds up there in the sky; I suddenly feel a whole lot better.  But, in the back of my mind; it's hard trying not to think about things.  Hey Heathcliff!  I'll work hard for you today so please help me too. 

             Thank all You Guys up for helping me over the last three days, as I couldn't have made it this far without You.  And thank you too Stanley for watching out for me and protecting me from my bad Angle Lilith.  But I still have about nine more hours to go so will keep needing help.  

             I just noticed Libby over there looking in this direction, and I'm happy to see no Flies over there in her Corral.  But I can see a few Bees and what might be those Wasps Dais told me about on that day last Summer.  Now I smell Libby and that is making me feel really good. 

  

LIBBY

               Bees and Wasps are like those Dragonflies who can sting really hard, even though I've never been stung.  I'll just stay right here on the Patio keeping to myself and not attracting any attention.  I have a feeling that Daisy's up there thinking about Heathcliff being gone too.  

              Libby looks kind of sad to me from over here on Elvira, and I'll bet it's because she can tell, like Daisy and I both know; that Heathcliff's gone.  I'll bet Dais is up there in the front yard thinking about Heathcliff.  Don't worry Heathcliff, we'll always remember you down here.     

                  Seeing Libby suddenly makes me suddenly think of that guy Zorro, who rode an black Horse and wore black clothes.  Someday I want to see that movie Daisy told me about.  People at times ride Horses up here where we live; like they used to do down in Sylmar years ago.   

   

"ZORRO"

 

            I've written how that guy Zorro lived in Los Angeles during the years after Mexico had broken away from Spain, so when "Alta" California was Mexican.  Zorro helped the poor and also Native peoples according to what Daisy's told me.  Andy's over there sniffing the air.

         Daisy says Miss Susan at work thought it was kind of funny when that guy Mr. Eber from Brazil called our boss "Zorro."  For a little while, and still every once in a while; I guess she will  call Mr. Steve Zorro.   I can tell Andy just picked up my scent from over here in the Patio.             

           This Encyclopedia says the first Zorro story, "The Curse of Capistrano;"  was written in 1919, the year after World War I ended; and that "Spanish Influenza" pandemic was going on.     Mr. Steve and his mom had that one Art Exhibit down at "San Juan Capistrano" Mission.    

       

                                                                  BATMAN (1940)

ART BY BOB KEANE AND JERRY ROBINSON

  

            Daisy says she and Millie one time were in the living room and saw a good tv show about that guy "Batman" and his Assistant "Robin."  It said the first Batman Comic Book was written in 1939 by a man influenced by the Zorro stories.  The Second World War began in that year.   

            I guess, in one of corners of his bedroom near where his vinyl records and cassette tapes are; Mr. Steve has a Milk Crate with Comic Books and things like that in it.  Some of the Comic Books are about Spiderman, Superman, Batman and other characters.  I smell a Joshua tree.  

           My Encyclopedia says over the years there have been a lot of Zorro movies and things like that.  Since the time when movies were "Silent" with no sound people have been making Zorro movies.  Boy!  I can't wait to someday see some of them the way Daisy and Millie got to do.  

  

"THE THREE MUSKETEERS"

           Daisy says in his office, between some of his bookshelves; is a "Rapier" sword like the one Zorro and those Three Musketeers used.   Rapiers, which have skinny pointed blades; are meant for "stabbing" and not "cutting" or "slicing."   Samson and Delilah flew over the desert. 

          Zorro had a pretty girlfriend Dais told me, and used a Bullwhip like the one our boss has hanging near the door to his bedroom.   It's like the one the man in that move "Raiders of the Lost Arc" also uses too I guess.  Seeing Samson and Delilah go bye mades me feel good.  

         Smelling Libby right now is making me think about Roy Roger's smart boy Horse named  "Trigger."  Oh!  This is a good place to write about that city down in the San Fernando Valley called "Chatsworth."  I missed it on my outline yesterday so I can just do it now instead.   

   

 "STONEY POINT" / "CHATSWORTH ROCKS"

             One time Daisy heard our boss talking with his mom about an area called "Chatsworth Rocks."  Mr. Steve, who says he couldn't do it now anymore; has hiked around there and even went up to a place called "Stoney Point" one time.  The views from up there are really good.

                Our boss told his mom Mark Ritter said Chatsworth Rocks are from that "Cretaceous" period I've written about.  That was sixty five million years ago, when the six mile wide Asteroid flew in from Outer Space and hit the Earth.  It killed off  most of the Dinosaurs.

           Daisy heard, just like up here in our area; there are Coyotes, Rattlesnakes and Red Tail Hawks who live in Chatsworth Rocks.  And Mark Ritter said there used be Turkey Vultures and Eagles too.  Oh!  I can smell Charlie Company out there in the desert behind the Sheds.    

ROY ROGERS / TRIGGER / DALE EVANS

            I've mentioned a few times over the last three days how, before they moved up here to "Apple Valley;" Roy Rogers' family lived in Chatsworth.  I've also said how Chatsworth is kind of close to Sylmar and San Fernando.  I now see Charlie Company out there in the field.

           I guess, because it was part of the big San Fernando Mission; as Tour Guides Mr. Steve and his parents read about Chatsworth.  When he and Mark Ritter worked at Laser Images they knew a guy named John.  He and his French wife Martin lived over there in Chatsworth.

           Mr. Steve's mom liked reading about the different Native peoples who lived in or around  Chatsworth Rocks.  Some of them were those "Tongvans" I've written about; or "Gabrielinos" to the 18th century Spanish.   All four of the Pigeons are flying over the desert back there. 

                                "WIYOT'S CHILDREN"                              "TONGVA" BARTERING

                                             PAINTING BY MARY LEIGHTON THOMSON                                                                               BOWERS MUSEUM COLLECTION                                                                     

  

             Over the last three days I've been looking at that good painting which shows a Tongvan village near the California coast.  The caption says that village was called "Sa-Angna."  I've said before how the name Tongva would be translated into English to be "People of the Earth."

             It says here how, by the time the Spanish came up here to Alta California in the mid-18th century; the Tongvan Indians had been living around Chatsworth since about 6,000 B.C. or for eight thousand years.  Mr. Steve and Miss Harriet went to Chatsworth Rocks one time.

            The village the Tongvans lived in when the Spanish arrived was called "Momonga" from what it says here.  "Tataviam" type Indians have also lived in the San Fernando Valley for 8,000 years too.  I've mentioned before how the Spanish called them "Fernandeño" Indians.

  

TIBURCIO VÁSQUEZ (1835-1875)  

     

                   The next thing on my outline is another man born in Mexican California named Tiburcio Vásquez.  Daisy and Millie saw a good tv show about him which said that he was from Northern California.  He grew up on some big Ranches so was one of those "Vaquero" Cowboys.

            My Encyclopedia says that guy Tuburcio Vásquez became one of those "Banditos" so he came down "running from the law."  Daisy says the tv show said one of his "hideouts" was in Chatsworth Rocks.   A flock of Birds is going bye way up there in the mid-morning sky.

           One time Mr. Steve and his mom talked about going to those "Vásquez Rocks," and how they're named after Tiburcio Vásquez because that was another place he and his men hid.  Dais heard he was a "good shot."   He was an "excellent horseman" according to the tv show.   

              

                   ANDRÉS PICO (1810-1876)                                   "PICO ADOBE" HOUSE  

                                

             In my books I've learned about the history of "Alta" California, so of course had to find out about that guy Andrés Pico and his older brother Pio.  In Mission Hills is that house Andres Pico used to own.  Mr. Steve and his parents have visited it a few times over the many years. 

            I've mentioned how Andrés Pico's house is a a Museum and Mr. Dave and our boss talked about how Tiburcio Vasquez's knife and trunk are there Dais says.  During the "Mexican War" Andrés Pico fought the Americans at that "Battle of San Pascual."  Ah!  the air is so clear.

           My Encyclopedia says Andrés Pico was a Rancher during the Mexican Californio period, and during the American Civil War led the State Militia.  Both he and his brother Pio were both Politicians.  A chubby little Bird carrying a twig just went running bye out there in the dirt.

  

"STAR TREK"

                Daisy heard our boss and Mr. Dave talk about walking around Vásquez Rocks, and Mr. Dave said tv shows like "Star Trek" have been filmed there over the years.  It says her Tiburcio Vásquez came down into Southern California that "Tejon Pass."  Andy's sniffing the air.

           I've mentioned how "Tejon" is "Badger."  I guess for a little while, Tiburcio Vasquez was in the area where the town of "Littlerock " is now located; where Mr. Steve's brother Sam lives with his family.   Oh!  his Great Grandfather was part of that 1776 "De Anza" expedition.

          Because he and Zorro were from the "Upper Class," to some Tiburcio Vasquez was also a "Bandit-Hero."  The 1970's "Chicanos" liked him Dais heard.  It says here when they hung him he calmly "met his fate."  Mr. Dave read Tiburcio Vasquez spoke both Spanish and English.    

        

                                                             1850'S U.S. ARMY "CAMEL CORPS"     

   

                Daisy says on that tv show about Tiburcio Vásquez they mentioned one of the places he "hid out at" was the home of a man called "Greek George."  He was one of the Camel Handlers hired by the U.S. Army to come to America for the 1850's Camel experiment.  I smell Sage.

             If not for the Civil War breaking out the use of Camels out here in the Southwest might have worked our boss thinks.  But the experiment was created when Jefferson Davis was the U.S. "Secretary of War," so when he became Rebel President it was canceled.  Sage smells good.

            Looking at Theodora's favorite bush near Jack makes me think about Mr. Dave telling our boss how Camels love to eat Creosote, which most things don't like.  Mr. Dave read extinct North American Camels also ate Creosote.  Libby's over there walking around slowly. 

        

"OASIS" CAMEL DAIRY

 (BABY CAMEL "GULLIVER")

                 Oh!  This is a good spot to write about a Huell Howser segment I keep forgetting to write about, where he went to a Ranch where a smart lady and her husband raise Camels.  Daisy says Huell Howser met "Gulliver" the baby Camel.  He's named for Jonathon Swift's character.

             Daisy noticed, and so did Huell Howser; that Gulliver the baby Camel wagged its tail to show he was happy.  That's what I do too but Dais has no tail so only her back end sometimes moves around a little bit.  Boy!  Hearing Heathcliff's Hen's cackling is making me feel said.

             Hey Everyone!  Thank all You for helping me down here because there's no way I could have made it this far without Your help.  But I still have a long way to go in order to finish these three what turned out to be long books.  Oh!  Now hearing the Hens is making me feel better.  

             

OASIS CAMEL DAIRY

               Daisy says the man at the Camel Ranch fed Gulliver the baby Camel some milk out of a big bottle.  His wife told Huell Howser how, you can not only drink Camel's milk; you can make soap out of it too.  Ah!  Hearing Heathcliff's Hens over there is giving me energy to continue.     

           I can't wait to someday see all of those Huell Howser and Rick Steves episodes I've been mentioning in these three long books.  Diasy heard our boss and Mr. Dave talk about the Huell Howser show about the Camel Farm.  A Train whistled faintly way out there in the desert. 

            Daisy says the man told Huell Howser how, like with a Sheep's wool; you can weave good clothes and blankets out of a Camel's soft fur.  He said Camels can grow to be seven or eight feet tall and weigh fifteen hundred pounds.   Wow!  And they can live to be forty years old too.

          

DOMESTICATED "BEDOUIN" CAMELS

   

                  Daisy says the man's wife told Huell Howser how thousands of years ago those "Bedouin" people I've written about used Camels as one way to adapt to living in a harsh desert.   Their feet are "better suited" to walking in sand than a Horse or Donkey.   I can see Libby over there.

            When Dais found out that Camel Farm was located in a town called "Ramona" she right away though of her Guardian Angel.  Hey Stanley!  I'm sure glad we can count on you and Miss Ramona up there to protect and guard us down here.  Andy's scent just came in on a breeze.

           The lady told Huell Howser usually Camels are nice, but if you "mistreat" them they can be aggressive.  I wrote about how in the pre-Civil War Camel at times they were so mean to their Camels, who spit at them.  "You wouldn't want to be bitten by a Camel" Mr. Steve says.  

      

"EOHIPPUS"

                 Seeing Libby walking around her Corral over there makes me suddenly think about that little "Eohippus" Horse who was the size of a Cat.  I guess the lady at the Camel Farm told Huell Howser North American Camels went extinct here just like Eohippus did.   Libby smells good.

            Daisy heard our boss and Miss Susan at work, who loves Huell Howser's shows I guess; talk about that Camel Ranch episode.  Miss Susan was interested when the husband told Huell Howser Camels, unlike Horses; can go two weeks without water.  Wow!  That's so amazing.

           Looking at our gray water bucket over there near the sliding glass door makes me think about how the man at the Ranch said water gets absorbed right into a Camel's blood.  So that's why they can go so long without having to drink water.  And that's good for the Bedouins.      

  

DESERT OASIS

("HUACACHINA" / PERU)

                Our boss told Miss Susan he noticed the Camel Ranch was called "Oasis Dairy."  Oasis is the name of the road in front of our house.   Mr. Randy thinks, because our area used to be called "Barrel Springs; maybe at one time an oasis was located near us.  Andy's looking at me.

           Mr. Ralph met a couple who took their kids to see this oasis down there in that country of "Peru."  Daisy heard how, right in the middle of a big desert made only of sand; water comes out from underneath the ground.  And some green plants even grow around the water I guess.

           I remember that morning when we heard Mr. Randy say, maybe because our area used to be called "Barrell Springs;" there was at one time an oasis near us?   Someday I want to hear a few songs by that band OASIS.  A Train just whistled faintly way out there to the northeast.   

                   

TRAIN CRASH'S 

                            (CHATSWORTH, ILL.  / 1887)                                                       (CHATSWORTH, CAL. / 2008)                                                                                                                                                               

                 One time Daisy and Millie heard our boss talking to his father about this big Train crash that happened near Chatsworth Rocks six years ago.  I guess twenty five people were killed when a Freight Train ran "Head First" into a Passenger Train.  Frida and Diego just flew bye.  

               Mr. Gary the Barber in San Fernando, who knows so much about Boxing; read about another Train accident which happened in a place called "Chatsworth."  But it happened over one hundred years ago in that State of "Illinois."  Ah!  A Train whistled faintly to my left.  

           Wow!  This one Encyclopedia says eighty people died in the Train crash that happened in 1887.  Here in 2008 one of the Train Drivers, who was himself killed; was not paying attention because he was too distracted by those E-Mails I've written about before.  Dawn's barking.   

DORIS DAY     

      

                 I just thought about that lady Doris Day, who used to have a place in Chatsworth where she rescued Dogs like Daisy and I.  She seems like a really nice person according to what Daisy's heard.  Hey St. Francis!  I'll bet you and that lady Doris Day would get along really good.

             Mr. Steve and his friends talked to Doris Day on the phone when they were kids growing up down there in Sylmar.  She was so nice and made a big impression on this girl named Kerrie. She called a Newspaper advertisement for a free Dog and it turned out to be Doris Day.

            Miss Susan from work told our boss she heard Doris Day say, "I've never met an Animal I didn't like, and I can't say the same thing about people."  Someday I really want to hear her song "Que Será, Será" which Mr. Steve mom really likes I guess.  She sang it with her Girl Scouts.

                   

                          DORIS DAY (1948)                                           "SHELTER" DOG

                 

             I've mentioned before how Que Sera, Sera is French for "Whatever Will be, Will be."  A good picture shows Doris Day in 1948, or only three years after World War II had ended.  Wow! I really do love her big wide hat, and would wear one like that for sure if I ever had one.

             From what Dais can tell, our boss's mom gets a good feeling of "Rhêma" from the Doris Day songs.  I almost named my third book "Que Sera, Sera," now kind of wish I had because of Heathcliff being gone.  Grandma Trujillo used to say sometime that, "Only God knows."

            Mr. Dave said one of his old Motorcycle Shop customers in Northern California told him Doris Day now lives in the town of "Carmel."  According to what Daisy heard the Mayor of that city was Clint Eastwood for awhile.  All four of the Pigeons are flying over Libby's Corral.

                                                 

CALIFORNIA INDIAN GROUPS

                   I really like the map that shows where all the different Indian groups lived in Southern California when the Spanish first showed up back in the 18th century.  You can see how the San Fernando Mission is near the junction between Chumash and Tongva.  I smell old Sage.

            There were also "Chumash" living in the San Fernando Valley in the 1700's.  As I've said before, the Spanish called them "Venturaños;" because their territory went all the way up to the Ventura area of the coastline.  Ah!  Smelling Sage is making me feel so grateful to be alive.      

            Daisy heard there are caves in Chatsworth Rocks, and some even have ancient drawings inside.  Mark Ritter hiked up there to look at them but Mr. Steve never did.  Zorro movies were    filmed at Chatsworth Rocks.  Mr. Dave's friend found an old "Clovis-type" arrowhead there.                                                     

ROY ROGERS / DALE EVANS

       Miss Susan, who used to run our local Newspaper "News Plus;" told our boss about Roy Rogers and his wife Dale Evans.  I've mentioned over the last three days how they moved their      family from Chatsworth up to the "Apple Valley" near Victorville.  Daffy's now quacking.            

         Apple Valley sounds like it would be a nice place to live.  It's about thirty miles to the east of Piñon Hills and Dais thinks they probably grow a lot of apples on their land.  Oh!  Cher used the right gate slot to go into the back field and I can tell by the ways she's moving she's hungry.          

       Miss Susan thinks one reason why Roy Rogers moved his family up here to the High Desert is because his house in Chatsworth had some bad memories.  I guess three of their children died when living there.  Now other Ducks are quacking too but of course Daffy's still way louder.         

     

 ROY ROGERS / DALE EVANS / FAMILY

   

            According to what Miss Susan said that one time, Roy Rogers and Dale Evans ended up having seven kids, a few being some of those orphans I've written about.  I guess they adopted them to replace the children who died young.   Hearing the Ducks is making me feel good.   

           I've never seen any of Doris Day or Roy Rogers' movies but Daisy has, and says there's a lot of singing in them.  As I've said a few times over the last three days, Daisy likes singing and dancing in movies but our boss usually doesn't.  I know I'll like seeing "Musicals" someday.

           Mr. Steve and his father, unlike many people; don't enjoy singing like in "Karaoke."  I've mentioned before how our boss's mom, especially with all of her Girl Scout troops; always sang songs.  When Mr. Steve played some CARPENTERS songs for her she really loved them.  

                              

                                                         WILLIAM S. HART (1864-1946)  

                       

           Boy!  Someday I'll get to see some of the "Western" movies and tv shows Daisy and Millie liked so much.  A picture in my Encyclopedia shows that guy William S. Hart, whose house down in Newhall in now one of those Museums.  The caption says his Horse was named "Fritz." 

           I've mentioned how William S. Hart was a "Cowboy" Actor in some of those old "Silent" movies.  Wow!  I just noticed William S. Hart was born in 1864, during the American Civil War; and died the year after World War II had ended.  Libby's over there walking around slowly.

          I just thought about how Mr. Rick and his family live kind of near William S. Hart's old house.  Daisy heard our boss's mom remember visiting the Museum, and being impress at how it's built right into the "contours" of  a hill.  Smelling Libby now is making me feel good.

                                                

                  THOMAS A. EDISON (1847-1931)              NIKOLA TESLA (1856-1943)

              Yesterday I wrote about the "Rivalry" between those two late 19th and early 20th century "Inventors" Thomas Edison and Nikola Tesla.  I guess Thomas Edison was the one who invented the first "Motion Picture" camera used to film Silent movies.  Libby has such a nice smell.  

                Oh!  I just noticed how Thomas Edison died on October the 18th, the day after Mr. Steve's brother Rock's birthday.   And, if I remember correctly; that guy Huell Howser was also born on the 18th of October.  Nikola Tesla was born on July 10, the day after Mr. Steve's birthday.

               A tv show Daisy and Millie saw about the history of Western movies said William S. Hart and Fritz "set the table" for later teams like Roy Rogers and Trigger.  Libby just whinnied and that makes me suddenly remember that time last Summer.  Dais and I were here on Elvira. 

  

                                                 THE "GREAT TRAIN ROBBERY" (1903)

               I just thought about that movie "The Great Train Robbery," which in 1903 was one of the first Silent movies ever made.  I wrote about it back on Thursday in book one.  Charlie Company is right now streaming through the right slot to go out into the back field behind the Sheds.

            Oh!  What a coincidence that, just as I'm mentioning The Great Train Robbery; I hear a Train whistling faintly way out there in the desert to the northeast.  Boy!  Someday I want to see and smell a real Train.  Daisy says it's unbelievable even though she's smelled one Train.

          All of a sudden I just thought of that other "Singing Cowboy" Gene Autry, who owned the Museum near Dodger Stadium at Griffith Park.   Even more than William S. Hart, he "Set the    Stage" for Roy Rogers.  The Train just now whistled again but this time is a little bit louder.                                                               

                               GENE AUTRY (1907-1998)                     GENE AUTRY MUSEUM

                                                                                                

             I guess that guy Gene Autry's Horse was named "Champion."  Someday I really want to hear that song Daisy told me about called "We Are The Champions," which is one of the good "Anthem" songs QUEEN play at their concerts I guess.  Andy's over there sniffing the air.   

            Mr. Steve and his parents have been to the "Gene Autry Museum" a few times.  It's near the Zoo, Dodger Stadium, the Greek Theater and that Observatory where Laser Images did that laser light show "Laserium."  I think Andy just picked my scent from over here on the Patio.

           The Gene Autry Museum, like Roy Rogers' Museums and William S. Hart's former house; are filled with things having to do with the 19th century "Old West."  Hey!  I just thought of how maybe there should be a Museum about Dogs of the Old West.  I like seeing Andy right now.

  

         "SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO" MISSION                              FIRST BAPTISM

                                                                                                                                                                 PAINTING BY ENGLEHARDT

   

            Over the years Mr. Steve's parents were involved in "Fundraising" activities for the San Juan Capistrano Mission and also the Gene Autry Museum.  Daisy says, because they donated money; there's a plaque with their names on it at Capistrano.  The four Pigeons flew bye.  

            Someday Daisy and I would like to visit Capistrano Mission.  Not only could we see those "Swallow" Birds, we could see that bronze plaque with Mr. Steve's parents names on it.  They've also helped raise money so people could get a star on that Hollywood "Walk of Fame" too.

           Years ago Mr. Steve's dad helped raise money so a Musician named Freddy Fender could get a star on Hollywood Boulevard.  Daisy heard our boss and his brother Sam one time talking about how that man Gene Autry owned the Angels Baseball team.  A Train whistled faintly. 

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

                          GENE AUTRY                                                               A'S / ANGELS

   

             I've mentioned a few times how our boss's favorite team the Oakland A's are a rival of the Angels, who were owned for many years by Gene Autry.  Daisy and Millie saw this tv show about him which said he was born in Texas.  Samson and Delilah are flying over the desert.

            I guess Gene Autry's father "abandoned" the family so his mom raised four kids alone.   Gene Autry quit school to work and help her.  Mr. Steve has met people who said he and his wife "Jackie" were "decent" people, who have "helped others when they needed money badly."  

           Daisy says other Musicians, such as Johnny Cash and Willie Nelson; really admired Gene Autry's songs, and so did the BEATLES Drummer Ringo too.  I guess in the 1930's, during the Great Depression; even President Roosevelt listened to his music.  Libby just whinnied.

  

   LIGHTNING  

 

             I can't wait to someday watch sports on tv.  I remember that night last Summer when we had the scary thunderstorm, so Daisy and Mr. Steve stayed out here on the Patio and kept me company.  It made a big difference because now I'm not as afraid of thunder and lightning.

            Daisy says our boss's brother Sam called and said the A's were playing the Angels down there at Anaheim Stadium.  So, as I wrote yesterday; while watching the lightning we listened to the game on the radio.  Dais and I felt really happy just sharing the A's game with our Chief.  

       Hey You Guys!  Thank You for that night we sat out here on the Patio listening to the A's game.  It was the night I got over being afraid of thunder and lightning because both Daisy and Mr. Steve were not scared at all, in fact liked it.  Oh!  A breeze is making the chimes ring.                    

   WIND CHIMES  

     

                Right now hearing the chimes ringing is making me feel so good, and I think maybe I'm having a sense of "Rhema."  What with me trying not to think too much about Heathcliff being gone it's kind of a gift I hope You're sending me Holy Spirit.  Ah!  The air is so clear now.   

          In book one on Thursday I wrote about how the Chicago "Cubs" and Boston "Red Sox" seem to be two "Jinxed" Baseball teams.  But Daisy heard Mr. Rick joke the Angels are also an example of that one "Murphy's Law," or "Anything that can go wrong will go wrong."

         When he was young, as an A's fan; Mr. Steve had "no sympathy" for the seemingly never-ending bad luck of the Angels.  But when the Angels finally won the World Series in 2004 he told Mr. Rick he was actually "happy for them."  He thought of Gene Autry who had died by then.  

      

                                                      LYMAN BOSTOCK (1950-1978)

      

             One of the most extreme examples of the Angels bad luck is this Player named Lyman Bostock Mr. Rick thinks.  He was a really good Hitter who went to C.S.U.N like Mr. Steve, but was shot and killed in the back seat of a Car.  Daisy says it was a case of "mistaken identity."  

             A picture shows that guy Lymon Bostock when he "signed to play" with the Angels.  In it Gene Autry, who was still the owner of the team then; is holding his jersey.  Boy God!  It's too bad Gene Autry never got to seem the Angles win the World Series in 2004.  I smell Mesquite. 

           When the Angels "misfortune" finally ended for the Angels Mr. Steve thought about Gene Autry and his wife.  At least she was still around to see it and be the representative of her good husband.  Dais says our Chief's father was also happy to see the Angels jinx finally end too. 

                                                      "DISNEYLAND"                                                       WALT DISNEY                                                                                                                              

                 Dais and Millie one time saw this Huell Howser episode about the city of "Anaheim," and a nice lady gave him a tour.  They talked about how "Disneyland," as I've mentioned a few times over the last three days; began in 1955, eight days after Mr. Steve was born.  I like Mesquite.

           The lady told Huell Howser what it says here in this one Encyclopedia, Anaheim was first established in 1857, or about three years before the Civil War.  Until 1955 when Disneyland was started it was a "agricultural" community.  Samson and Delilah are flying toward the east.

           I guess Anaheim "founded" by Germans and means "Home of the Santa Anna River."  To the Spanish speaking people it was "Campo Aleman," or "German Field."   Daisy says the lady told Huell Howser for a long time wine grapes, walnuts and lemons were grown in Anaheim.  

    

                                  "TONGVA" INDIANS                                            KU KLUX KLAN

   

                 A few years ago our boss met a lady from "Buena Park," which is near Anaheim.  She told him in the 1920's her Grandfather, and many of his friends too; were members of the "Ku Klux Klan."   She also knew about the "Tongvan" Indian groups in her area.  Daffy's quacking.

            I guess, the lady from Buena Park read what it says here, in 1876 Anaheim was the second "city" in Los Angeles to be "incorporated."  In 1876 Ulysses S. Grant was President and Custer's Last Stand happened.  And the man William Wing Loring fought in the Abyssinian War.

            Daisy told me the lady said the Tongvan people in her area had been there for about five thousand years when the Spanish arrived in 1769.  Their village was named "Hutuukuga," and they had established "trading networks" or routes with Indians on the coast.  I like Daffy.        

                                             

MR. RICK 

             In 1996 Mr. Steve's friend Rick built a house for his family near Newhall in a town called "Santa Clarita."  Julio, who does the embroidery on orders Mr. Steve, Miss Babette, Susan and Karin hand in; also lives with his wife and daughter in Santa Clarita.  Dawn's barking.

            Our boss and Mr. Rick talked about how William S. Hart's Newhall house is built into a tall hill.  In a time before "Air Conditioning," it took advantage of breezes.  This Encyclopedia says that house was called "La Loma de Los Vientos" or "The Hill of the Winds" in English.  

           Mr. Steve's mom likes the graveyard William S. Hart made for his Dogs, as he loved to be near his Horses and Dogs.  His house, built in 1924 or six years after World War I; is "Tiered" or "Terraced" going up that hill.  I just thought of our graveyard up there in the front yard.

   

"WILLIAM S. HART" MUSEUM

   

            Our boss's mom really liked how many of the rooms in William S. Hart's house have the windows built in such a way as to let the breezes flow in and then circulate around.  I've never felt air conditioning but Dais has and says it does feel good on hot days.  Libby whinnied.

           Mr. Steve and Miss Harriet visited William S. Hart's house.  Dais heard Miss Harriet likes to learn new things like our boss, so asked questions on subjects like "Spanish Colonial" style  buildings; a "legacy" of the Franciscan Priests he said.  Smelling Libby makes me feel good.

          Daisy told me she and Millie one time heard our boss and his mom talking about Spanish Colonial architecture which, besides reading about it as a Tour Guide; she also studied in College at C.S.U.N.  I've mentioned before how our boss doesn't usually like "Musicals" that much. 

       

"THE WIZARD OF OZ" (1939)

    

           Yesterday I learned about that 1939 movie "The Wizard of Oz," a Musical Mr. Steve does like.  He admits he in the minority in having his view of singing and dancing in movies.  Both of his parents, and most of their generation; love movies with a lot of singing and dancing.

           Oh!  Yesterday I forgot to write about these wide-brimmed hats like the one Zorro wore.  They're called a "Sombrero Córdobes" because, since the 17th century; that style of hat has been made over there in Córdoba, Spain.   Fannie and Freddie, talking to each other; flew bye.

          One time Miss Susan at work saw a picture in a Magazine of the Beatles in Spain, and she noticed how the caption said John Lennon was wearing one of those Sombrero Córdobes hats.  I know for sure if I had one on those hats I'd definitely wear it.  Dawn and Blinky are barking.    

  

 THE BEATLES IN SPAIN    

            Miss Susan read in the Magazine how, in 1964 when Mr. Steve was nine; the BEATLES went to Spain to play some concerts.  Miss Susan noticed in another photo of them all wearing Matador suits that guy Ringo has a Córdobes hat on.  To him it symbolized Spain I guess.  

            Daisy told me our boss bought, and then resold; a sword like the ones Matadors use in Bullfighting.   One time she and Millie were in the living room and saw a good tv show about a man called "Manolete," who was a famous Spanish Bullfighter.  Andy's sniffing the air. 

          I guess Daisy noticed how that Bullfighter "Manolete" often wore Córdobes hats, mainly because he was born in Córdoba.  But he was killed by Bull so now the "Matador Museum" over there in Córdoba is dedicated to him.  I smell the Twin Joshua trees out there in the desert.                             

                                                                                    "MANOLETE" (1917-1947)

     

                Hey!  My Encyclopedia says that Bullfighter Manolete was born on the 4th of July, even though he's not American so it's not as significant.  Daisy says the man on the tv show said he was "gored" and died when he was only forty years old.  A Lizard ran bye out in the dirt.

          The tv show said 10,000 MANIACS and Herb Albert did songs about Manolete; whose real name was Manuel Sánchez.   A "Twilight Zone" episode was about him, and  Salvador Dali did a painting of him.  I've mentioned Grandma Córdova's maiden name was also Sánchez too.    

          Oh!  Just as I see on my outline how I now have to write about these really beautiful white Horses called "Lipizzans," I smell Libby.  My Encyclopedia says "Lipica" is an Austrian town, but those Horses were originally "bred" in 16th century Spain.  Daffy's quacking over there.

  

   "LIPPIZAN" HORSES

        

              One time Daisy and Millie heard our boss talking with his sister Susan, who still rides Horses back there in Connecticut.  He told her in 1985 he saw the Lipizzan Horses perform at the Forum.  I've said before how Adolph Hitler and Arnold Schwartzenegger are both Austrian. 

              In 1985 Mr. Steve and Miss Helen, who worked with him and Mr. Mark in offices across the street from the Forum; walked over to see those Lipizzan Horses perform with the "Spanish Riding School."  I just glanced up in time to see a small flock of Birds moving to the east.

             Daisy heard our boss tell his sister Susan, who used to do jumping on her Pony "Dinky;" Lipizzan Horses show how smart they are by doing tricks like jumping and hopping.  They're only boy Horses, or "Stallions."  They're born dark in color but then turn white or gray.

                                               

                                                              CHARLES V (1500-1558)

PAINTING BY TITIAN

 

            I just thought of that guy King Charles V of Spain, Queen Isabella and King Ferdinand's son.  I've mentioned before how he was the leader of the "Hapsburg" Empire in the 1500's, when the Lipizzan were developed in the form they are now I guess.                  

           Our Chief in 1985 bought one of those "Programs" at the Lipizzan Horse show, which said they were "bred for war" but now just do tricks and things like that.  Oh!  Speedy Gonzalez just ran at full speed through the right gate slot and ran into the desert.  Andy was watching him. 

          Miss Helen told our boss she read in this Magazine that Painter Georgia O'Keefe one time saw the Lipizzans perform.  She described the trained "fluid" and "intricate" maneuvers they do as being like "watching music move."  There are some thin clouds up there in the sky.

   

GEORGE S. PATTON (1885-1945) 

 (SITTING ON "FAVORY AFRICA")   

      

            Oh wow!  This picture from 1945 shows that guy General Patton sitting on one of those  Lipizzan Horses.  I've mentioned before how General Patton was from "Pasadena" like Jackie Robinson, and always rode Horses.  He was even in some of the Olympic events on Horses.

            In early 1945, when the Allies were "closing in on" the Germans and the "tide of war" had turned, the man in charge of the Lipizzan Horses heard that the advancing Soviet army was eating Horses for food.   A long line of small Ants is going bye down there on the Patio floor.

           I guess, luckily for that man; General Patton said yes when he asked him to pleas rescue and save the Lipizzan Horses.  It says here they were "technically" within the "jurisdiction" of the Soviets.  But General Patton made them "wards" of the American military anyway. 

       

         EMPEROR HIROHITO (1901-1989)  

        (ON "SHIRAYUKI" / "WHIE SNOW")

                 

            A pictures shows that guy Emperor Hirohito sitting on a Horse the caption says is named "White Snow," or "Shirayuki" in Japanese.   It's kind of different how Emperor Hirohito, unlike most people; only had one name.  Libby's over there walking around slowly in her Corral.

           It says here in 1945, right before he died mysteriously; General Patton rode this Lipizzan Horse.  It was intended to have been a gift from Hitler to Emperor Hirohito.  One time Mr. Steve and his dad talked about how Emperor Hirohito was never prosecuted for "War Crimes. 

          Boy!  It's so weird how that small Automobile accident broke General Patton's neck, which ended up killing him.  Some suspect he was killed because he was advocating attacking our until then ally the Soviet Union.  He knew they were going to be our enemy in the "Cold War."

     

GENERAL ZHUKOV (1945)  

 

                  Daisy says one time our boss's father saw a film from the Soviet Union victory parade in 1945.  That guy General Zhukov rode a white Horse in it and Mr. Steve's dad, who used to ride his brown Horse "Poco;" admired his good horsemanship.  Samson and Delilah flew bye. 

                  Mr. Ralph read that Nazis like Herman Göring, started "Animal Breeding" programs.  They bred Horses and after Poland was conquered by the Germans and Russians in 1939 tried to create extinct Cows called "Aurochs."  I smell the clump of Joshua trees near Libby's Corral.

             I guess Herman Göring wanted to to re-create an ancient German forest.  And, he also wanted to "populate" it with Aurochs; which were so huge according to what Dais heard.  I just noticed Ants marching bye down there on the Patio floor near Miss Emily's old coffee table.    

     

"AUROCH" BULL  

   

             A number of years ago Mr. Steve met a man who knew about the Nazis trying to breed Auroch's.  He said over in England they're breeding the Cattle from some of the one the Nazis resurrected in the late 1930's.  My Encyclopedia says Julius Caesar described Auroch's.  

            I guess all the original Auroch went extinct in the 1600's but the Nazis, through "selective breeding;" decided to try to bring back Auroch "type" Cattle as much as possible.  Daisy says the man told our boss even female Auroch's are aggressive too.  Two of the Pigeons flew bye. 

            Herman Göring, like many Germans; read this old poem called "Nibelungenlied," which describes or "celebrates" a "mythic past."  This Encyclopedia it refers to the "prosperous" and "happy times."  Daisy thinks it probably means something like the "Good old Days." 

    

                                     THE "AUTOBAHN"                                   THE "VOLKSWAGEN"   

        

              In bringing back the Auroch Herman Goring hoped to recreate a time Germans think of as good.  Miss Susan who ran our Newspaper says some German women who came here to live after World War II at times referred to 1933 through 1940 as Nibelungenlied.  I smell Sage. 

             Some Germans associate the 1930's, when much of the world's economy was doing bad; with Hitler pulling Germany out of its depression.  Daisy heard he did it by building things like those "Autobahn" roads and "Volkswagen" Cars.  I'll learn more about it later today.

            I'm so tempted to write about the Autobahn right now but I better just wait and do it later today as scheduled.  Mr. Steve says even though they lost World War I the Germans were one of the first economies to come out of the Depression.  There are some wispy clouds in the sky.

 

HIGH DESERT SKY

            One time Mr. Steve and his mom talked about how the Nazis also believed in the selective breeding of people too.  Daisy heard they wanted to eventually breed Warriors like the Spartans did back then in ancient Greece.  At C.S.U.N. our boss's mom studied "Genealogy."   

           The Nazis thought Germans were better than other people and wanted to create a people who would "Rule the Earth."  Daisy says you were killed if they thought you were weak or just disabled.  Some wispy clouds are starting to stretch out and get longer up there in the sky.

           Hitler and the other Nazis believed in what's called "Eugenics."  That means;  "Improving the human species by controlling heredity."  Many of the ideas on Eugenics that influenced the Nazis came from America.  They believed only certain people should be allowed to breed. 

                                    

   "MR. ED"       

   

             Seeing Libby walking around slowly at the back of her Corral near Primavera Road is making me think about that tv show "Mr. Ed."  It's one of the shows I'm really looking forward to seeing some day.  Dais says Mr. Ed is a talking Horse who even knows how to play Chess.

       Even though I sure don't feel much like laughing at this exact moment, I would like to see that show Mr. Ed.  Daisy told me Mr. Ed will only talk to his owner named Wilbur, and gets into mischief and makes his boss look like kind of a nut to other people; including his wife.                           

       Mr. Steve joked with Mr. Mike one time how many would probably think he's a nut too for talking to Daisy and I so much.  Mr. Ed can read, looking things up in phone books; and he even   wears glasses sometimes.  Fannie and Freddie, talking to each other; are flying to the north.            

CHARLIE COMPANY

            

             I just glanced up and see part of Charlie Company out in the field behind the Sheds, and seeing their new babies is making me feel good right now.  Boy, I can't wait until our boss reads my books so then he'll think I'm smart like Mr. Ed!   Andy's looking at me and sniffing the air.

            Mr. Steve's house in Sylmar on Hagar Street was built in 1960.  He told Mr. Mike how the house Mr. Ed's owner Wilbur and his wife lived in must've been from the same period because the "Double Front Doors" were the exact same ones as that Hagar house.  Dawn's barking.  

            I just noticed Libby over there standing near the fence and looking at me sitting here on Elvira.  And now her scent just came floating in, along with Dawn, Blinky and Rosie's unique smells too.  Andy's glancing around to make sure that Cher or Goliath aren't in the area.

  

         MOLLY THE MULE / LIBBY IN BACKGROUND    

    

             Seeing Libby is suddenly making me remember good old Molly, and that's now reminding me of Heathcliff being gone now too.  I'll never forget Molly's scent, and have had dreams where I smell her so clearly again as if she's alive.  Boy!  Tomorrow morning is going to be so weird. 

           Over the last three days I've written about how sometimes people ride Horses our on the road in front of our house or on Primavera Road out there in the desert.  Sometimes when he walks in the morning Mr. Steve meets a lady who rides a big brown Horse.  I smell Sage.  

          Mr. Steve has told the lady on the Horse about how, when his family moved to Sylmar in 1961 it was rural the way Piñon Hills is now.  Many of the roads were dirt like it is here so people rode Horses around.  He's also told her about his sister Susan still riding her two Horses.  

  

BELÉN, NEW MEXICO

           

            When our boss used to visit his relatives back in New Mexico they at times rode Horses in the deserts outside of Belén.  Their Uncle "Fenny" kept Horses and a few times Mr. Steve and his Cousin "Michael" rode them.  Oh!  Samson is chasing another boy Raven and yelling at him.

            One time Mr. Steve's Horse's saddle came loose when they were going kind of fast and at first it was hard to make his Horse stop.  Their Uncle "Casey" in Jarales had some big Pigs and a few Goats too.  Every once in a while Mr. Steve still has dreams about visiting New Mexico.        

            Mr. Steve remembers a time when his Uncle Fenny explained to him how difficult it was to be a Cowboy back in the 19th century.  It was often "no fun" and "dangerous" to live then, and definitely wasn't the "romanticized" image people have of it he said.  I smell a Lizard.

                                                                                                                            

                 "CALIFORNIO" VAQUERO                                         WESTERN COWBOY

                               PAINTING BY JAMES ALEXANDER WALKER                                                                                                      PHOTO BY CONRAD WOTHE

         

           Over the last three days I've learned about the history of "Cowboys," from the Vaqueros to those from later in the 19th century Old West.  Mr. Steve has read about that subject.  It was the Spanish in the 1500's who brought Horses, Cows, Pigs and Goats to the New World.

          Mr. Steve's mom once met an older man who told her about the "Llanero" Cowboys from Columbia and Venezuela, Brazil's "Vaqueiros;" and those "Gauchos" from Argentina.  He also mentioned Hungary's "Csikos" and those "Cossacks" from Russia.  A Train whistled faintly.  

       Daisy heard our boss and his mom talk about how the man told her the name "Flamenco" may have come from the "flamboyant" behavior of "Puszta" Cowboys that lived back there in    Andalusia, Spain.  Dawn's barking.  I smell Blinky and Rosie standing next to her over there.       

                                                                     NAT LOVE (1854-1921)           

        

           Daisy and Millie saw this tv show about black Cowboys in the 19th century Old West, and one of them was a guy named Nat Love.  I guess, he was an ex-Slave from "Tennessee; and after the Civil War went out west to try to earn a living.  Blackbeard and Anne are flying bye.

          Even though it wasn't as bad as Tennessee there was still prejudice against black people in the frontier west.  My Encyclopedia says in 1876, just a short time after Custer's Last Stand; he won some roping, shooting and riding contests up there in "Dakota" Territory.  I smell Sage.

          The man on the tv show mentioned how in his Autobiography Nat Love said he not only met Billy the Kid; he met Pat Garrett who killed him too.  And he met Frank and Jesse James.  A big Crow carrying a dead Mouse in its mouth is flying toward the north behind the Sheds.

                                 

"BUFFALO" BILL  / ANNIE OAKLEY

                Daisy heard the man on the tv show also say Nat Love wrote that he got to meet that guy Buffalo Bill, who used Annie Oakley in his "Wild West" show.  I guess Mr. Dave thinks he was "probably exaggerating."  The four Pigeons are flying over Libby's Corral over there. 

           It says here, later in life Nat Love moved out here to Los Angeles and got a good job as a "Porter" on a passenger Train.  Because of the Train trips he took when young, Mr. Steve still  remembers the black "Pullman" Porters.  They were "very hard workers" he told Mr. Dave.       

               All of a sudden I just thought about how Cowboy culture was influenced by the Spanish Horse society of early California.  "Buckaroo" is "Anglicized" pronunciation of Vaquero, while "Chaps" is short for "Chaparro."  I've mentioned before how "Vaca" is Spanish for "Cow."

      

                            MR. MARK / WIFE KIM                                 TAJ / MR. MARK / DYLAN

            Mr. Steve read that in Hawaii, where Mr. Mark and his family live; "Paniolo's take care of the Cattle.  Paniolo is the way Hawaiians pronounced "Espanol."  A Wren landed on one of the boulders around the the bottom of the Mulberry tree, saw no water; then flew away. 

            During the American Revolutionary War "Loyalist" men called Cowboys stole Cows and then gave them over to the British.  Daisy heard, before the economic recession I guess Mr. Steve used to have this customer in Virginia who told him about that subject.  Dawn's barking.     

            On the tv show about black 19th century Cowboys it mentioned how when a guy was only taking care of Horse he was called a "Wrangler."  And I guess many of them were black or even Native-American.  I smell the clump of Joshua trees over there near Andy and Helen's burrow.                                      

2014 JEEP "WRANGLER

                                                                                                                                   

         Dais says one time she and Millie were in our boss's office and heard him talk to one of his Jeep customers about that Car called a "Wrangler."   The Parts Manager was ordering hats and shirts for the staff at the dealership.  Andy's over there sniffing the air and looking around.          

           I just thought of how the first Cattle in New Mexico were taken up there by that guy Juan de Oñate in 1598.  Christopher Columbus brought the first Cows and Bulls to the New World on his second expedition.  I can tell Andy just picked up my scent from over here on the Patio.          

     One of Mr. Steve's customers up there in "Wyoming" told him in 1869, about forty years before anywhere else in America; his State was the first to allow its females to vote.  He said his    Grandma's were Cowgirls who took care of the Ranches if the men were away.  I smell Sage.                               

"LONGHORN" COW   

   

            Daisy says the Parts Manager in Wyoming told our boss he read there were even a few females working on those "Cattle Drives" taking the Longhorn Cattle up to Kansas.  In looking at the picture of a Longhorn Cow I can see how they got their name.  A Sparrow flew bye.

            Feeling how warm it is right now, and how good I feel; makes me think about some cold mornings.  Mainly because Mr. Steve gets up early now so do Daisy and I too.  He says in warm weather he has no problem getting up but on cold mornings it's sometimes a little harder. 

           Mr. Steve told his mom he "procrastinates' in getting out of a shower; especially if it's cold outside.  So when he's had jobs where he had to get up early, like when working for Mr. Rick for example; he took his shower the night before.  Then he can just get up quickly and dress. 

  

    HIGH DESERT LIZARD    

        

                I just noticed a Lizard standing over there in the dirt near the Mulberry tree.  It better be careful or someone like Cher or Goliath might come in and try to kill and eat it.  Yup!  There it goes running away, and it's now ducking under a rock near the new baby Cholla cactus.

           When Daisy explained to me what a shower was and how it worked I at first found it hard to believe.  She said you can stand under a steady stream of warm water for as long as you want but, of course then you have to pay for the extra water you use.  And we are in a drought.

           Dais says we have three of those  bathrooms in our house.  Two have showers and the one at the far end of the hallway also has a bathtub.  I've mentioned before how Mr. Steve at times enjoys relaxing in that bathtub.  He was there when he heard that Michael Jackson had died. 

   

 SOUTH AMERICA

   

           Boy!  Even before Heathcliff died Mr. Steve had already been a little sad lately because he heard Mr. "Leopoldo" had died a few weeks ago.  Mr. Leopoldo was originally from that country called "Argentina" but had lived up here for years Dais heard.  Frida and Diego flew bye.  

         Daisy and Millie heard our boss and Mr. Leopoldo talk on the phone a few times.  One time Mr. Leopoldo told him about this big city of "Buenos Aires," Argentina's "Capital."   It's near a River down there called "Rio de la Plata" Dais told me, or "River of Silver" in English.               

       Oh wow!  This Encyclopedia says in 1536 the original Spanish Argentine colony had to eat each other to survive, just like that 19th century "Donner Party" I learned about.  Boy!  It would be so bad to eat Daisy but she gave me her permission.  It's "better than starving" she says.          

            

"AVENIDA 9 DE JULIO"     

("BUENOS AIRES," ARGENTINA)       

      

               "Buenos Aires" means "Good Air" according to my Spanish Dictionary.  Daisy heard Mr. Leopoldo tell our boss about a road in Buenos Aires named "Avenida 9 de Julio," which means "July 9th Avenue;" Mr. Steve's birthday!   A flock of Birds is flying bye going toward the east.

           Mr. Leopoldo said Avenida  9 de Julio is the worlds "widest city street."  It was built to "commemorate" Argentina's break from Spain in the 19th century.  Mr. Leopoldo said there's a giant Egyptian "Obelisk" at one end, whose stone is from a city in Argentina called Córdoba.

          Daisy heard Mr. Leopoldo joke that, since the the United States and Argentina were born in July like Mr. Steve; that must mean they're all "Cancers" in Astrology.  I guess Mr. Leopoldo had a good sense of humor.  Boy!  Thinking how fragile life is makes me want to work hard.  

      

  GAUCHO

PHOTO BY STEVE MCCORRY

    

                  Daisy says our Chief and Mr. Leopoldo discussed those Argentine "Gaucho" Cowboys one time.  I've mentioned how the sports teams at U.C.S.B. College in Santa Barbara, where Mr. Steve's sister Susan went to for two years; are the Gauchos.  I smell the baby Cholla cactus. 

           Mr. Leopoldo told Mr. Steve in the country of "Chile" the Cowboys are called "Huaso's," while in Peru they're known as "Chalanos."  Down in Mexico the men who herd and take care of Cows are those "Charros" I've written about.  A Bunny Rabbit just hopped into the desert.  

                Argentina has people from all over Mr. Leopoldo said, his family are originally from Italy.  In Argentina they were called "Porteños," because they lived in the "Port" area near the water in Buenos Aires; which was settled back in the 16th century.

  

STEVE BANKS (1953-2009)

  

             Over the last three days I've written about people who have died, like Steve Banks for instance.  He's buried at that Jewish cemetery across the street from "Mission" cemetery where some of Mr. Steve's family is buried.  Mr. Steve helps people because Steve Banks helped him. 

                Daisy says our boss told Mr. Leopoldo's brother "Basilio he'll sure miss Leopoldo's sense of humor, just like he misses Mark Ritter's "irreverent" sense of humor.   At times Mr. Leopoldo reminded our Chief of the Bookkeeper Eber who used to work at Mr. Steve's company. 

           Mr. Eber is from "Brazil," which is a rival of Argentina.  Daisy heard our boss tell Mr. Leopoldo about him because both of them had kind of oddball senses of humor.  I just noticed a  long line of little Grease Ants marching bye on the other side of Miss Emily's old coffee table.

                                           

AMERIGO VESPUCCI (1454-1512)

                                                                                                                        PAINTING BY CRISTOFANO DEL ALTISSIMO                                                                                                                             

                     

              Daisy says our boss one time lent Mr. Leopoldo a book about that man named Amerigo Vespucci, who like Christopher Columbus was Italian and also an Explorer too.  He's the guy North and South America are named after.  A Motorcycle went bye out there in the desert.

            My Encyclopedia says Amerigo Vespucchi knew Columbus and even "advised" him on some things before that first famous voyage of 1492.  After Columbus's three voyages he sailed to the New World on three voyages.  One was sponsored by Spain, the other two by Portugal.

               Columbus died thinking he had reached the "Orient," or "Asia;" but Amerigo Vespucci proved he hadn't.  Amerigo Vespucci mapped and gathered a lot of information and even came back to Europe telling people about the "Amazon" River.   The Motorcycle left dust behind.

   

AMERIGO VESPUCCI'S THREE VOYAGES OF DISCOVERY 

(FIRST VOYAGE 1499-1500 / SECOND 1501-1502 / THIRD 1503-1504) 

                   I've written before how, after he went back to Europe; in a letter Amerigo Vespucci used the Latin words "Mundus Novus" to describe the areas he saw.  And of course that's where the term "New World" comes from.  Now two other Motorcycles just zoomed bye back there.

                  It's interesting how we live in one of the areas called "America."   And that's because a later 16th century Map Maker "labeled" the new territory Amerigo Vespucci described in his journals as "Americus."  Mr. Steve's father wonders if  Amerigo Vespucci ever knew that?   

                I guess the name Americus is just the Latin version of Amerigo.  Daisy says our boss and Mr. Leopoldo once talked about Juan Perón, who was Argentina's President in the years after World War II.  His wife was named "Eva," but was called "Evita" from what Dais heard.     

         

  JUAN (1895-1974) / EVA (1919-1952) PERÓN      

               Daisy and Millie one time were in the living room and watched a tv show about Juan and Eva Perón.  Mr. Leopoldo and his family also saw it too.  On that show it said Eva Perón was an Actress who had grown up really poor.  She was only thirty three when she died I notice.   

            The other day our boss had a dream where he met Mr. Leopoldo and they hugged and "exchanged pleasantries."   I guess Mr. Leopoldo was about ten years younger than our Chief, his birthday July the 10th; or the day after Mr. Steve was born.  I smell Andy over there.                     

            Mr. Leopoldo and his wife had three kids, and he told our boss about how Argentina's  "Declaration of Independence" from Spain was signed on July 9, 1816.  Mr. Leopoldo liked to talk to Mr. Steve about the Mexican "Californio" period.   Andy has such a good scent.

    

EVA / JUAN PERÓN

  

             Daisy says the tv show said Eva Perón didn't know about politics but helped her husband a lot.  Because she "came from poverty"  she identified with the "Descamisandos," or "Shirtless Ones."  My Encyclopedia says in the French Revolution the poor were "Sans-Culottes."  

            On that tv show the man said one time Juan Perón was arrested and put in jail, but so many people demonstrated outside of his prison; the government had to release him.  Ah!  I just picked up the scent of Charlie Company out there in the desert behind the Sheds.  I like it!

           Oh!  It says here now the day Juan Perón was let out of prison, October the 17th; is one of the Argentine holidays.  It's called "Dia de la Lealtad," which would be translated as "Loyalty Day."  Boy!  It's too bad that girl Eva Peron had to die so young, of cancer it says right here.

    

    CHILEAN TROOPS (2009)        

       

                 Mr. Leopoldo said some think Juan and Eva Perón were "Fascists" in Europe.  But Mr. Steve's father doubts it, and in fact believes they were the "least anti-semitic" Argentine leaders. Juan Perón was like MOTÖRHEAD'S Lemmy, and simply liked German style uniforms.

            Dais says our boss told Mr. Leopoldo many South American countries besides Argentina, like Chile and Bolivia; "adopted" German-like uniforms after World War.  To this day you can still see troops wearing those "Stahlhelm" helmets I've written about.  Dawn's barking.

           I guess, one reason critics accused the Perón's of being Fascists is because after World War II ended they allowed some Nazis to escape down to Argentina.  But his was because, just like in our "Operation Paperclip;" they wanted the German brainpower.  I smell Blinky over there. 

       

                                    HITLER /FRANCO                                           FRANCO / MUSSOLINI

         

             Daisy says our boss told Mr. Leopold he and his father both think another reason why people think the Peron's were Fascists is because right after World War II Eva Perón visited Spain and met with Francisco Franco.  I like Blinky's scent.  It makes me feel pretty good.  

            Mr. Leopoldo said, as a kid; his parents took he and his brothers and sisters to see where Juan and Eva Perón is buried in Buenos Aires.  This Encyclopedia says that cemetery is called "La Recoleta."  Oh!  Freddie's chasing a boy Crow and Fannie is following close behind him.

               Oh!  It says here that Boxer I've written about named Luis Angel Firpo is also buried at the Recoleta cemetery.  He's the one who, before being "stopped" himself; knocked that guy Jack Dempsey out of the ring.  You can really tell how Freddie's not going to give up Fannie easily.   

     

JACK DEMPSEY / LUIS ANGEL FIRPO MATCH

("POLO GROUNDS" / N.Y.C. / 1923)

                 I wrote on Thursday in book one about that time when Luis Angel Firpo, who Mr. Gary the Barber described as being a "hard-hitting puncher;" sent Jack Dempsey flying completely out of the ring in their fight.  A good picture shows it and you can see Jack Dempsey's feet. 

            Daisy says Mr. Leopoldo told our boss about that area of Argentina called "Patagonia," and the "Pampas" where they raise Cattle.  I mentioned how Luis Angel Firpo's nickname was the "Wild Bull of the Pampas."  Libby's scent just came floating in to me here on Elvira.

           The 1923 Dempsey-Firpo fight took place at New York City's "Polo Grounds," where the Baseball "Giants" used to play.  I notice in 1923 there were only three rings strands.  Mr. Steve says now they use four, which makes it a little harder for Photographers to get good photos.

                           

              WREN IN CHOLLA CACTUS                        

                                            

       Aha!  I knew I was smelling a Wren, and I just glanced up to see one in the Cholla cactus patch in the desert behind the Sheds.  My Encyclopedia says "Argentina" means "silver  coins" in Latin, and I guess in Spanish it would mean "silvery."  Boy!  I really like Libby's scent.           

      One of the big Rivers down there in Argentina is called "El Rio de la Plata," or "River of Silver."  Mr. Leopoldo was very impressed when our boss showed him old silver coins.  At times  Argentina's economy has had "Runaway Inflation" just like in post World War I Germany.         

     Our boss told Mr. Leopoldo about Mr. Eber, the Brazilian Bookkeeper who worked at his company for a time.   He said he and Mr. Eber had talked about the sometimes rivalry between Argentina and Brazil.  A little Sparrow with a long twig in its mouth ran bye out in the dirt.                       

INDIA / PAKISTAN BORDER GUARDS      

    

         Our boss and Mr. Eber, and Mr. Steve and also Mr. Leopoldo, have talked about how the countries of India and  Pakistan are big rivals; but have Nuclear bombs.  Dais heard Mr. Steve's  father say "hopefully" there won't be a war between them someday.  I can smell Mesquite.           

         According to my book three outline the last subject I want to write about is the advanced "Nazi technology" from the time of World War II.  I've already learned about that first Jet, the    "Me-262; and also those "V-1" and "V-2" Rockets.  Oh! I hear Heathcliff's Hens clucking.           

      I've mentioned a few times over the last three days how that guy Mark Ritter knew a lot about the history of "Manned Flight."  One of Mark Ritter's books our boss has is about all the Nazi "Cutting Edge" aircraft that "never made it past the drawing board." I like Mesquite.               

   WENHER VON BRAUN (1912-1977)       

     

            Over the last three days I've mentioned "Operation Paper Clip," where Nazi's like that guy Wernher von Braun were brought here to help us beat the Soviet Union in the "Cold War."  Dawn's barking over there.  Boy!  I really like smelling Dawn, Blinky and Rosie right now.

            I just thought of how our house was built back in 1989 by that lady Mrs. Gunther, who came over to the High Desert with her husband after World War II ended.   It's so amazing how that Cold War lasted from 1946 all the way through 1991.  Blinky's such a brave boy Dog!  

           Yesterday I wrote about how by 1943 Germany was being bombed a lot.  So, they had to build things underground; and develop some Planes which didn't need a runway to take off.  Ah!  I just picked up Charlie Companies scent from out there in the desert behind the Sheds.   

                     

                   P-210 "VOLKSJÄGER"                                           "TRIEBFLÜGEL"          

                                                                  PAINTINGS BY ANDREAS OTTE

   

         In Mark Ritter's book on Nazi technology there's a chapter on this "tailless Jet fighter" called the P-210 "Volksjäger," which means "People Hunter."  It was never built but its "swept    wing" concept was later used on other Jets.  I just noticed Andy over there sniffing the air.            

           Oh my God!  Just when I'm about to find out about that German Plane the "Triebfügel," which was meant to take off "vertically;" a Helicopter flew bye!  I didn't even hear it coming as is usually the case.  Daisy told me how there used to be more Helicopters flying in our area.  

          This Encyclopedia says the Triebfügel, "had it been deployed;" would have been the first Plane ever able to take off and land by going straight up and then coming down to land.  Daisy thinks our boss and his friend Mr. Tim were very impressed seeing that.  I like smelling Andy.

           

LANDING         "HARRIER" ("JUMP JET")               EJECTING 

PHOTO BY JOSH VALCARCEL                                                                                                                                                                         

                      

            Daisy and Millie heard our boss tell his father about an "Air Show" he and his friend Tim went to at "Van Nuys" Airport.  A Plane they saw that day was the "Harrier," first made by the British back in the 1960's my Encyclopedia says.  Mr. Steve heard it's really hard to fly.

           Daisy and Millie also saw this tv show about those Harrier Jets, which said they're named after a type of Hawk; and take off and land vertically.  I guess, that's why they're called "Jump Jets."  Even today most aircraft still take off and land "horizontally;" except for Helicopters.  

          Boy!  Luckily for the world, the Nazis "ran out of time" in World War II.  I've mentioned how Mark Ritter, besides the Me-262 and Jets; was interested in those "Flying Wings" that I've written about.  He read about those two "Horten" brothers who designed the Flying Wings.

                         WALTER / REIMER HORTEN               HO-229                                     HO-IX

                                                                          PAINTING BY ANDREAS OTTE                                             ARTWORK BY DIZZYFUGU      

  

          I've written before how those Horten brothers thought maybe their Flying Wing Jets could be used as both a "Fighter" and "Interceptor.  But the Luftwaffe ended up using the Me-262 for  those purposes at the end of the war instead.  A Train just whistled over there to my left.                

      The Horten brothers Flying Wings were never "put into service," but after World War II their ideas influenced the "post-war."  In book one I mentioned how Hermann Oberth had that    idea of a "Death Ray" from space.  Mirrors would reflect the Sun like a magnifying glass.             

         My one Encyclopedia calls Hermann Oberth, who helped us land on the Moon in 1969; the "Founding Father of Rocketry."  He was Wernher von Braun's "mentor" and during the Second World War they worked on German Rockets together.   Train whistles make me feel good.     

                  

                                                     HERMANN OBERTH (1894-1989)

 

             It says here Hermann Oberth fought in World War I against the Russians before the big Russian Revolution of 1917.  Two of his four kids died during World War II, a son in combat; his daughter in an Auto accident.  Fannie and Freddie, talking to each other; just flew bye.

            I guess, unlike Wernher von Braun; the Horten brothers and Hermann Oberth were not part of Operation Paper Clip.  But a few years later Hermann Oberth and his family did come over here to America to live.  I can smell the clump of Joshua trees near Libby's Corral.   

           Hermann Oberth was sixteen years older than Wernher von Braun and both liked to read Jules Verne's Science Fiction books.   My Encyclopedia says here Jules Verne married a "widow" with two kids who had lost her husband, and they had a son of their own.  Daffy's quacking

                      

                 JULES VERNE (1828-1905)                    ALEXANDER DUMAS (1802-1870)

            

            Our boss and Mr. Dave talked about Jules Verne's books about the Moon.  In 1902 they influenced that Silent movie I've written about.  I guess Jules Verne was friends with Alexander Dumas, who wrote those two books "The Three Musketeers" and "Man in the Iron Mask."     

           Hey God!  It says here Jules Verne was a "Deist," so like Mr. Steve probably thought You created the physical world but then generally left it alone; where people have free will to do good or bad.  Oh!  Rudy the Roadrunner just ran bye carrying a small dead Lizard in his mouth.

           I've written before how most Deists, like many of the American Founding Fathers; do not believe in "Revelation."   My Dictionary says that means, "a connection with the supernatural as a source of divine knowledge."   Rudy is running around the northeast corner of the house.  

                                                                       "DIVINE REVELATION"                                             

   

            Hey God!  This Encyclopedia says Jules Verne, although a Deist; did believe in "Divine Providence" in the sense that You did intervene to create the Universe.  As of course You know, Dais and I just feel better hoping You do sometimes intervene down here.  I can smell Sage.

           It says here God "General Providence" means that You "uphold existence and the natural order of the universe," while "Special Providence" is You "intervening in the lives of people."  I think I want to believe in that idea.  And I know for sure Daisy believes in "Miracles" too. 

          Yesterday in book two I wrote about Jules Verne's book, and movie made from it "Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea."  Dais noticed on one of the bookshelves in his office our boss has a copy of it.  Boy God!  Thank You so much for letting me smell that Sage right now.   

      

"TWENTY THOUSAND LEAGUES UNDER THE SEA"

PAINTING BY JONATHON BARRY

     

           I'm looking at that painting of the Giant Squid attacking the Submarine in Jules Verne's story.  I wrote yesterday how as a kid Mr. Steve read about the Giant Squid "Architeuthis," and  those Sperm Whales who dive down into the Oceans to kill and eat them.  Dawn's barking.           

          Boy!  It would be so scary to be on a Boat where a Giant Squid attacks you, especially as I don't even know yet for sure if I can swim.  As I've said a few times over the last three days, our    boss is afraid of being eaten by a Shark.  Oh!  Libby whinnied, which makes me feel good.            

        Well, it looks like in this third chapter all I have to write about is a few more things having to do with possible advanced Nazi aircraft from World War II.  My Encyclopedia says Hermann Oberth worked on an "upper atmosphere" Rocket.  I'm so glad Libby's still around here.                                  

       "SILVER BIRD"  ("SILBERVOGEL")             

  

           Hermann Oberth's "Silbervogel" Rocket, in the 1940's; would have flown up so high no one could shoot it down.  It was intended to go over the Atlantic Ocean, and possibly bomb New York City.  According to my German Dictionary Silbervogel would mean "Silver Bird."    

           This Encyclopedia says that the Silver Bird was a "natural extension" of the V-1 and V-2 Rockets used in 1944.  But, just like so many of those "sophisticated" German "Wunderwaffen" weapons I've written about; it never went past the "planning stages."  I can smell Andy.

          As I've said a few times over the last three days, Wunderwaffen means "Wonder Weapon" in German.  Mr. Steve thinks, if the Allies had not broken those secret codes, World War II may have maybe lasted another two years.   The Germans would have had more time to do things. 

   

    X-20 "DYNA-SOAR"                                             SPACE SHUTTLE         

                                                                                                                                             

             One time Daisy and Millie were in the living room and, as our boss worked on one of his art projects; watched a good tv show about that "Space Shuttle" I've written about over the last three days.  At Edwards A.F.B. Mr. Steve took pictures of it landing that time.  I smell Sage.  

           The tv show said the German's Silver Bullet, and later this 1960's thing called the "X-20 Dyna-Soar;" both "foreshadowed" the Space Shuttle.  The Space Shuttle program began in 1981 and finally ended in 2011.  Our boss, Mr. Grant and Miss Emily were in Law School in 1981. 

          Both the X-20 Dyna-Soar, and Space Shuttles; were "suborbital" Aircraft which "skipped on top of the atmosphere like a flat rock on water."  Ah!  I just glanced up from down here and see two vapor trails extending and moving to the south.  Some of the Ducks are quacking.

                  

                                     "V-1"               NAZI ROCKET WEAPONS                 "V-2"                        

                                                                               

          I'm looking at those two pictures of the V-1 and V-2 Rockets that Hermann Oberth and Wernher von Braun worked on during World War II.  In the photo of the V-2 some Soldiers are  standing near it so you can see how huge it is.  Samson and Delilah are flying to the east.               

        On that warm morning last Summer I remember our boss talking with Mr. Randy as he watered the Mulberry trees.  They discussed an annual event they went to in 2012, which takes    place outside of that town "Adelanto" near us.  We're all located in the "Victor Valley."                

     At that what Mr. Randy called a "get together," which takes place on a "Dry Lake Bed" called "El Mirage;" people race Cars, Motorcycles and things like that.  I guess, the El Mirage    area was once a big ancient Lake, but dried up after that final Ice Age.  Libby whinnied.                                                                       "EL MIRAGE" DRY LAKE BED                                   

                                            PHOTO BY BERT'S MEGA MALL                                                                                                              PHOTO BY JACOB DAVIS                                                                 

       

           Back in 2012 our boss and Mr. Randy met a few guys, and a few females; who built Cars in their garages.  One was from "Mission Hills," so he and Mr. Steve of course talked about the San Fernando Mission.  He was impressed when our boss told him about his Chevelle's.                

         The man from Mission Hills said El Mirage events are smaller and "more low key" than the famous ones in Utah.  Those are at the "Bonneville Salt Flats," where many of the land speed records have been set on its "hard and flat" surface.  A Train whistled faintly to my left.               

       A few years ago one of his customers in Utah told our boss that guy Jedediah Smith, and later John C. Fremont; were the first white men to see those Bonneville salt flats.  And Brigham Young then studied what John C. Fremont had written about it.  So he knew about Utah.                 

                 DRY RIVER BED                                                 MR. RANDY                        

PHOTO BY TONE HELENA TORGERSEN                                                                                                                                                                  

    

          I remember Mr. Randy saying how normally nothing grows in a dry lake bed, but there are some "exceptions" to that up here in the High Desert.  Usually there's too much salt in the      soil for plants to grow.  I notice how Mr. Steve used the word "featureless" that morning.             

      Oh wow!  I just now suddenly remember how, on that morning when our boss and Mr. Randy talked about El Mirage; Heathcliff crowed a few times.  I wish that would happen now      which would be so great.  A Motorcycle just zoomed bye out there on Primavera Road.                 

        Mr. Randy and our boss have talked about "Edwards Air Force Base."  The area where they did all of that Aircraft testing over the years is called "Rogers Dry Lake Bed."  In 1947 that guy Chuck Yeager was the first person to "exceed the speed of sound in level flight" there.            

      

 "ROGERS" DRY LAKE BED                                     SPACE SHUTTLE               

    

           I've mentioned how our boss saw one of those "Space Shuttle's" land at Edwards A.F.B.  This Encyclopedia says Rogers Dry Lake was once named "Rodriguez" Dry Lake, and later        "Muroc" like the Air Base  It was "formed" 2.5 million years ago in that "Pleistocene" era.         

        Hey Everyone up there!  I can't believe I've made it this far in writing my final book.  It seems like the day is going fast just like in those first two books but in the back of my mind I'm    still kind of thinking about Heathcliff being gone forever.  And that's making me feel sad.             

           Well, it looks like the last thing to write about in this third chapter are two World War II German aircraft, the "Dornier Do-335" and a Jet called the "Heinkel He-162."  Both were made or "produced" but came "too late in the war to be effective" I guess.  Andy's looking at me.

                 

                DORNIER DO-335 "PFEIL"                     HEINKEL HE-162 "SALAMANDER"

      

          One time, as our boss worked on one of his art projects in the living room, Dais and Millie watched a tv show about advanced Nazi aircraft.  The man said the Dornier Do-335 "Pfeil," or    "Arrow" in German; was a "heavy" Fighter Plane with two engines.  I like Andy's smell.             

         My Encyclopedia says the Dornier Do-335's "push-pull configuration," one motor in front and the other in back; made it Germany's fastest "piston engine" Plane in World War II.  It says here that "only a handful were ever "delivered."   Donald and Daisy are quacking over there.      

       Daisy told me the tv show said the Heinkel He-162 "Volksjager or "People's Fighter," was also called the "Spatz;" which means "Sparrow."  It was a Jet which saw a little bit of combat and, with a shortage of metal was made of wood.  Oh wow!  Fred, Ed and Ted just flew bye.     

 

MID-MORNING SKY

        Wow God!  I'm finished with chapter three, and that's kind of a surprise to me considering how I felt this morning when our boss told us the bad news.  Heathcliff!  If you just happen to be up there mind-reading me right now I want to let you know we already miss you. 

        Oh my God!  Just as I'm thinking of you Heathcliff who do I hear?  Some of your Hens over there are cackling and it almost sounds like they're sad your gone.  But, don't worry Heathcliff as I can guarantee they'll never forget you; and neither will we over here on our two acres.                

       Hey Heathcliff!  I've decided I'm going to do just as Daisy suggested, and work through my sadness about you; and do it your memory.  Yup!  That's exactly what I'll do, and focus on my      work to finish this last book no matter what.  But please help me from up there as I'll need it.