Book 3 Chapter 8,9

                                                                                                                     III

( Book 3 / Chapter 8)     

2:30      

                                         

"CRUCIFIXION"       

       

               Hey Lord!  I just went pee over there in the northeast corner on the other side of Jack the big Shed.  As I went pee I heard Birds singing happily but kept hoping maybe all of a sudden Heathcliff will crow and it will turn out there's just been a mistake.  Daffy's quacking.  

              I'm really good now at hiding my materials, and now that I got everything back out do feel a little bit better.  Hey Heathcliff!  If you're up there mind reading me I just want to let you say thank you for being such a good Rooster.  And I know for sure Dais thinks the same. 

            As I went pee Pigpen the Gopher came up out of the ground near me, but once he smelled me immediately went back down the hole fast.  And it's a good thing he did because I also could    smell Goliath nearby over there.  Smelling the Mulberry tree right now makes me feel good.         

              

HIGH SKY ABOVE THE DESERT         

              

         The clouds up in the mid-afternoon sky are also making me feel good so thank You for that all o You Guys.  But now it's back to work for me and I have a lot of energy because I know after this eighth chapter I'll take a big break and go visit up there with Dais.  Boy!  I can't wait!            

        Oh!  I just noticed how I missed a few things on my outline about that one group the "Black Panthers."   That girl from Oakland said it made her sad when the younger generation of black    kids don't even know who they were.  I smell Libby over there walking near the fence.                   

     Dais heard that one girl say how she believed the Black Panthers "principles and youthful enthusiasm" ended up having two sides.  Like Mr. Steve says, a lot of things are dual in nature so good often comes with bad and vice versa.  Smelling Libby is making me feel pretty good.             

             

BLACK PANTHER (LEOPARD)          

                  

           I wrote on Thursday about that "Animal Sanctuary" near us called "Forever Wild," and how they have a real Black Panther named "Zorro" living over there.   I guess, they also have a few Tigers, a boy Lion; and even a few Bears too.  Boy!  I really want to go there someday.            

         Daisy says that girl laughed when Mr. Steve told her how for a while some people at work called him "Zorro."  That girl seemed pretty smart Daisy told me, and she and our boss talked    about a few different things.  Frida and Diego flew over Libby's Corral moving to the east.           

      One thing our boss and the girl discussed is how the "Bay Area" is changing through that "Gentrification" process I've written about before.  That's where the poor and even middle class are "Displaced" by rich people.  Some of the kicked out families had lived there for years.                          

                                        MAP OF BAY AREA                                      SAN FRANCISCO             

          

            Hey God!  Thank you again for bringing me over here to live.  That girl didn't like it how the rich people in San Francisco pushed out all of the other people so they could get their land.  I guess Mr. Steve told that girl gentrification is also happening in parts of Los Angeles too.

           Daisy told me how our boss and that girl talked about Mr. Steve thinking "war, hate and intolerance" are more common in history than "peace, love and understanding."  Hey Lord!  I think that's what makes Your teachings so important.  And I know Daisy agrees with me.

          Mr. Steve thinks for much of human history "Revenge" has been, and likely will always be; one of the most powerful of forces.  In today's modern society, unlike much of the past; you need an excuse to do violence but many males still like it.  At least that's what our boss thinks.     

                            

  HUEY NEWTON (1942-1989)       

PHOTO BY BLAIR STRAPP                

                

                 Daisy heard Mr. Mark say Huey Newton, who in 1966 was a "co-founder" of the "Black Panther Party;" was from a family who "escaped" the State of "Louisiana."  They moved here to "Oakland."   Wow!  A good picture shows him sitting like a King on a nice throne.

           I've mentioned before how Mr. Mark's wife "Kim" grew up in Oakland, or the East Bay; so knows about the Black Panthers.  Huey Newton believed black people needed to use guns to defend themselves from the Police, and was one of those "Socialists."   Dawn's barking.

          From what Dais heard that one girl say, Huey Newton as a kid learned to read through his study of Plato's "Republic," which I guess Mr. Steve ended up lending her.  He believed more in the ideas of Malcolm X than the "Passive Resistance" of Martin Luther King.  I smell Blinky.      

    

                      KARL MARX                        VLADIMIR LENIN                "CHE" GUEVARRA

        

               Mr. Ralph has read about Huey Newton, and this other guy named Bobby Seale too.  He says Huey Newton, who earned one of those College "PhD's" I've mentioned before; admired the ideas of Marx, Lenin and "Che" Guevarra.  And he also looked up to Mao Zedong too.

            Daisy heard Mr. Ralph describe that guy Huey Newton as being a "revolutionary" and "political activist."  I guess, he killed an Oakland Police Officer and was himself shot to death by a member of a rival black political group.  Finley and his new girlfriend Fanny just flew bye. 

            Jack just ran through the right vertical gate slot to run out into the back desert, and he must've been under one of the Sheds.  I didn't even see him come in from the field.  A little Wren with a twig in its mouth just ran bye out there in the dirt near the new baby Cholla cactus.      

   

"SPECIAL WEAPONS AND TACTICS" UNITS

      

                  Daisy one time heard our boss talking with his father about the Los Angeles "S.W.A.T." units, who are supplied with "Specialized" military type equipment and weapons.  S.W.A.T. is the abbreviation for "Special Weapons And Tactics."  A Train whistled faintly to my left.

            According to Dais not just anyone can be on the S.W.AT. unit, and it takes a special type of person to make it through the training.  I guess, it's kind of like those Navy "S.E.A.L." teams I've mentioned before.  The four Pigeons flew over Libby's Corral and are moving to the east.

           In L.A. it was decided to create S.W.A.T teams "in reaction to" those big "Watts Riots" of 1965.  That's what our boss and his father talked 1965 one time.  Mr. Chris who gets us things is from Watts, calls it an "uprising;" and Mr. Steve has heard the word "Rebellion" used.   

                            

"WATTS" RIOTS (AUGUST 11-16, 1965)            

                   

            Daisy and Millie heard Mr. Chris and our boss talk about the Watts Riots one morning as they unloaded that refrigerator out of Mr. Chris's Truck.  Mr. Chris was just a three year old kid in 1965 I guess, but remembers the "feelings" he had during that time.  Daffy's quacking.   

           Charley Company's Scouts came in from being out in the desert, and are now checking to make sure Cher of Goliath aren't under any of the Sheds.  Yup!  Here comes the rest of Charley Company who will now stream underneath Moe.  Andy's over there keeping an eye on them.

          Some of Mr. Chris's family took part in the Watts Riots.  I guess, it was triggered when a "Rookie" Police Officer pulled over and tried to arrest a kid for Drunk Driving.  His brother and mom showed up at the scene and they started fighting.  Then six days of rioting erupted.

             

CALIFORNIA HIGH DESERT            

                     

            I've written about the "First Great Migration" of black people out of the South from 1910 through 1940, when they went to the East Coast and Midwest.  Mr. Mark's "Arkansas" relatives went to Wisconsin.  Smelling Charley Company under Moe right now makes me feel good. 

         In that "Second Great Migration," during World War II and right afterward; black people came out here to California.  Like in that first big migration, they were looking for better lives for their families.  Our boss's parents did the same when they came here from New Mexico.

          Mr. Chris read that thirty four people were killed during the six days of the Watts Riots.  It was a "combat zone" and in the end millions of dollars were needed to fix up the damage.  And a  lot of it never was repaired and "South Central" turned into a "poor area" Mr. Chris said.

               

   WATTS RIOTS (AUGUST 11-16, 1965)             

                      

                 I guess, Mr. Steve once read how in 1965 fourteen hundred California "National Guard" troops were ordered to come in and "put down" the Watts Riots."  It was after that Los Angeles decided to create those S.W.A.T. units.  Seeing clouds up in the sky makes me feel good.     

           The S.W.A.T. team began in 1969, and one of their very first assignments here in L.A. was to "Serve a Warrant" on the Black Panther Party.  One of those "Gun Battles" broke out.  Dais says she heard our boss and his father talk about how now every city has S.W.A.T. teams.  

            Charley Company's Scouts just came out from under Moe and are now running around the northeast corner of the house at the far end of this Patio.  They'll go up front but it's way too late in the day for there to any food left below Mr. Steve's office window.  Dawn's barking.   

                                                           

      HUEY LONG  (1893-1935)                     

                                                                                                                                                        

               One time Daisy and Millie heard our boss talking to one of his customers in Louisiana. They discussed how the Black Panther's Huey Newton was named after that Great Depression era guy Huey Long.  I've mentioned before how he was a "Left Wing Populist" Politician.

           Huey Long was President Roosevelt's "Critic."  He thought, to help the poor; Roosevelt's "New Deal" did not go far enough in government spending for the poor.   The rich people, who didn't like President Roosevelt; really hated that guy Huey Long.  Leo and Cleo flew bye. 

           I've mentioned before how Huey Long was assassinated when Mr. Steve's mom was only one month old.  He had been Louisiana's "Governor," but in 1935 was a U.S. "Senator" when he got shot by that man.   He might've been a political threat to F.D.R. for President later. 

        

FATHER CHARLES COUGHLIN (1891-1979)

                      

               I just thought of that guy Father Coughlin who, during the 1930's Great Depression; was President Roosevelt's critic from the "Right."  He was Henry Ford's friend, and both didn't like Jews.  Oh!  I just glanced up and see Speedy Gonzalez underneath Moe looking at me.

           I've mentioned how, since he's been six; Mr. Steve has gotten haircuts from Mr. Joe, who I guess lives behind his Barber Shop on Maclay Street in San Fernando.  Dais says Mr. Chris who gets us things like our blankets lives way out in the desert on "Coughlin" Road.  I smell Sage. 

         Mr. Joe, who's family came to America from the area now called "Lebanon;" as a kid used to sell Father Coughlin's Newspaper on the streets of "Chicago."  He had no idea about any ideas in that Newspaper but was just trying make money to help his poor family.  I smell Sage.        

                                                

  CHIEF DARYL GATES (1926-2010)          

                     

                Daisy and his father one time talked about this man named Daryl Gates, who from 1978 through 1992 was the "Police Chief" down there in Los Angeles.   He was one of the people who suggested the city develop that first S.W.A.T. unit in the country.   A Train just whistled.

             I guess from what Dais heard, Mr. Steve met Chief Gates once; and his dad met him on a few different occasions too.  He's dead now but they both still remember his firm handshake and how he looked you right in the eye when talking to you.  He had a few of those critics.

            As I've mentioned a few times, that lady Miss Helen who worked with our boss and Mr. Mark at the Forum in the 1980's lived in "Glendale."  She said Daryl Gates father was one of those "Alcoholics" and was Catholic like us.  Hearing that Train makes me feel kind of good.

  

"RODNEY KING RIOTS (1992 / L.A.)

            

           Daryl Gates was raised in Glendale by his Mormon mom Miss Helen said.  Some, because they say he sanctioned racism in the Police; blamed Daryl Gates for those "Rodney King Riots" from 1992.  Ah!  I hear two boy Crows fighting out there in the desert behind the Sheds.

           According to what Dais heard our boss and his father talk about, Daryl Gates was in the Navy during World War II.  After that, he went to "Pasadena City College" then U.S.C.  He rose up "Through the Ranks" of the L.A.P.D. to become it's "Police Chief" back in 1978.

          I guess, one of Daryl Gates jobs when he was coming up was being that guy Chief Parker's driver or "Chauffeur."  I wrote before how William H. Parker's family were from that town of "Deadwood" in "South Dakota.  But they also decided to come out here to California too.

      

CHIEF WILLIAM H. PARKER (1905-1966) / MAYOR YORTY BEHIND

                                                                                                                          

           A pictures shows Chief Parker, with Mayor Yorty who Mr. Steve's father worked for next to him.  Fighting in World War II, Chief Parker brought "hard nosed" attitudes to the L.A.P.D.  Plus, like so many white people in those days, he didn't "think highly" of racial minorities.

          I guess Chief Parker took over leadership of the L.A.P.D. in 1950, or five years after World War II; and the year the Korean War began.  He "Reorganized" the Police Department and then turned it into a more efficient and honest, but violent; force.   Heathcliff's Hens are clucking.

         In my books I've written how that German word "Weltanschauung" means "World View."  Mr. Steve's dad thought Chief Parker brought his "Us against Them" viewpoint to the L.A.P.D.   His "militarized" Police Department "protected civilization from chaos" in his own mind.

                   

"DRAGNET"             

                       

          Daisy says one time our boss and Mr. Ralph talked about an old tv show from the 1960's called "Dragnet."  It was about the L.A.P.D., and was "Sanctioned" by Chief Parker; so only showed the Police in a "Good Light."  A flock of Birds up high in the sky is going eastward.

          Our boss told Mr. Ralph he liked the theme song for that show Dragnet, with the first four "ominous" notes.  Daisy heard Mr. Ralph say he liked horns in that song, while our boss noticed the timpani drums.  The main Actor smoked a lot cigarettes Dais and Millie both noticed.

          I've mentioned before how Mr. Steve's father was fired as L.A. Grand Jury Foreman when he tried to reopen the Marilyn Monroe case in 1985.  Some people, like that guy Bob Slatzer for example; think it was the Kennedy's who had Marilyn Monroe "silenced."   I smell Sage.

                    

                           MARILYN MONROE                                     MARILYN MONROE / BOB SLATZER

                

          I've written about Marilyn's three "Official" husbands, and also Bob Slatzer; who said he and Marilyn Monroe got married in "Tijuana" in 1952.  But, a lot of people don't believe him;    and say he made it up.  He did know her from movie sets and things like that Dais heard.              

       Someday I'll see that one big framed in glass poster of Marilyn Monroe looking out of her window in the morning with no makeup on.  It's on the south wall of Mr. Steve's bedroom.  I've    mentioned a few times how Marilyn Monroe's original name was Norma Jean Mortenson.            

         Mr. Steve's father doesn't think the Kennedy's killed Marilyn Monroe, but there were times when he's wondered if maybe some of the things that happened after her death might've been to keep her relationships with the Kennedy's secret.  Boy!  Tomorrow morning will be so weird.                             
            MR. SPOCK                                                      GOOBER                      

              

               Mr. Ralph read the guy who wrote the "Star Trek" tv show stories, who was an ex-Police Officer under him; said he based the character Mr. Spock on the personality of Chief Parker.   A lady one time told Mr. Steve that man George Lindsey was almost going to play "Spock."        

          Helen's taking a break from guarding their babies and is standing next to Andy at the top of their burrow entrance.  She just sniffed the air to see what's going on up there.  I can tell she's so glad to have a good partner like Andy to help her protect their Spring babies down there.  

          Robert Slatzer wrote about that red diary Marilyn Monroe kept, which totally disappeared after her death.  Robert Kennedy did tell her things he shouldn't have, like the government using the Mafia to try to kill Cuba's Fidel Castro.  Helen just now went back down into their hole.   

                       

                                KENNEDY FAMILY                                          PRESIDENT KENNEDY

           

                Mr. Steve's father has wondered over the years if Chief Parker was helping the Kennedy family hide the connection to Marilyn Monroe.  There were those "Rumors" about him being promised he would be J. Edgar Hoover's replacement over at the F.B.I.  I can smell Andy.  

          I just thought about how Marilyn Monroe's internal organs were destroyed quicker than usual according to Dr. Noguchi who I've written about.  And, why were all of Marilyn Monroe's phone records erased later?   Two of the Pigeons are flying over Libby's Corral over there. 

         Daisy says the Police headquarters in Los Angeles is named after Chief Parker, even though now a lot of people don't like him.  Mr. Steve's father said the L.A.P.D. for "a long time" had the job of making sure the racial minorities didn't go into white areas of town.  I smell Juniper.

             

FLOCK OF BIRDS           

                   

            I just glanced up in time to see a group of Birds flying bye and moving toward the north, which might be Pigeons but it's kind of hard to tell from down here on Elvira.  Seeing them right now suddenly makes me feel better about today and happy to be alive.  Thank You God!

           Our boss told Mr. Ralph how, on the night he ended up dying from a heart attack in 1966; that guy Chief Parker had attended an event in his honor.  It was hosted by the "Second Marine Division," and Mr. Steve's parents had been invited to it but didn't go.  Daffy's quacking.

          All of a sudden I'm hearing Vivaldi's song "La Primavera," which is making me feel good right now.  Someday I really want to hear more Classical music songs the way Daisy has.  She's convinced when that time comes I'll wish I hadn't been so afraid to go down the hallway.  

                                                                         FRANZ PETER SCHUBERT (1797-1828)               ROBERT SCHUMANN (1810-1856)               

                                                                      CLARA SCHUMANN (1919-1896)   

PAINTING BY GABOR MELEGH                                                                                                                                                                                       

                   

               Oh!  This is a good place to write about those early 19th century "Romantic" Composers Franz Schubert and Robert Schumann.  I was supposed to look them up yesterday when I wrote about those other guys Mozart and Beethoven.  A tv show said at times they're "confused."

            Dais says that tv show said "Schumann's" wife "Clara" was also a talented Musician too.  My Encyclopedia says they had eight kids and she "outlived" him by forty years.  Oh!  I notice she died on May the 20th, which also just happens to be Mr. Steve's Nephew Austin's birthday.

            I guess, during their lifetimes both "Schubert" and Schumann's music was not nearly as "acknowledged" as it would become after their early deaths.  Schubert was only thirty one when he died, Schumann forty six.  It was Clara Schumann who "publicized" her husband's songs.    

              

          WOLFGANG AMADEAU MOZART               LUDWIG VAN BEETHOVEN  

                                (1756-1791)                                                      (1770-1827)

                                        PAINTING BY BARBARA KRAFT                                                                               PAINTING BY JOSEPH KARL STIELER

              

                The tv show said what my Encyclopedia says here too, both Schubert and Schumann were influenced by those other guys "Mozart" and "Beethoven," and also "Bach" too.  Boy!  I really love the wig Mozart was wearing when they did that painting of him.  A Train whistled.

           Over the last three days I've mentioned a few times how Mozart died young too and was poor.  He and Schubert were from "Austria," Beethoven and Schumann lived in areas which are now called "Germany."  I just thought about how that other guy "Vivaldi" also died poor.

          Daisy told me the tv show mentioned how that guy Schumann tried to kill himself one time but got rescued.  Mr. Steve talked with his mom about what's called a "Bipolar" disorder, and thinks that's what Schumann may've had.  He was either really happy or really sad I guess.

              

                                JOHANN WOLFGANG VON GOETHE (1749-1832)

DRAWING BY JOHANN HEINRICH LIPS                   

               

                  I guess, both Schubert and Schumann's music was  "influenced" by that famous Writer "Goethe."  As I've mentioned before, some people think Goethe's poems and stories he wrote were the most influential things ever done in the German language.  I can smell Juniper.

             Boy!  I can't wait to someday hear that one song by Mozart about the magical flute.  Mr. Steve's father's friend Mr. Forbes, who's himself a "Mason;" thinks that song has some Masonic "symbolism" in it.  Andy's over there sniffing the air to see if Goliath or Cher are around. 

             Wow!  That guy Schubert was one of twelve kids but, only three of them survived; and he died at thirty one.  I guess, he's buried near Beethoven; and the last music he heard was a String Quartet playing Beethoven.  Like Schumann, he may've been Bipolar too Mr. Steve thinks. 

     

"FANTASIA" (1940)

         

            Hey Blessed Mother!  As You know, someday I want to hear that song by Schubert about You called "Ave Maria."  Daisy heard our boss tell Miss Susan at work talk about how that song was in that Walt Disney movie I mentioned yesterday called "Fantasia."  Dawn's barking.

           Daisy says the tv show mentioned how only once during his lifetime was Franz Schubert's music "performed live."  It says here "on his deathbed" Beethoven "expressed admiration" for Schubert's " music and "composition abilities."  Wow!  That is really good alright I think.

           It says here Robert Schumann was influenced by Goethe's story about that guy "Faust," which I've written about before.  In College at C.S.U.N. Mr. Steve's music Teacher played her class some of Schuman's songs.   She thought it was his wife who "promoted his music."        

          

                 "FRANCO-PRUSSIAN" WAR                              NAPOLÉON III (1808-1873) 

                                                                                         OTTO VON BISMARCK (1815-1898)

                                                                                                                                          PAINTING BY WILHELM CAMPHAUSEN

         

               Over the last three days in my books I've mentioned a few times how "Germany" did not actually become a "Nation" or country until 1871.  That was when that "Prussian" man Otto von Bismarck beat France under Napoléon III.  "Italy" only became a country in 1877.

           Boy!  It must've been embarrassing when Napoléon III, and one hundred thousand of his men after the 1970 "Battle of Sedan;" had to surrender to the German forces in that "Franco-Prussian" war.  Andy's over there sniffing.  He just picked up my scent from over here.

          All of a sudden I just thought of the huge World War II Battleship named after that guy Otto von Bismarck.  I wrote about how in May of 1941, from "Long Range;" its giant canons hit and obliterated that other English "Battlecruiser" H.M.S. "Hood."  I like smelling Andy.

   

                                  BATTLESHIP "BISMARCK" SINKS H.M.S. HOOD (MAY 24, 1941)

       

           Boy God!  Like Daisy said that one time, what must have it been like for all those fourteen hundred British Sailors blown up on H.M.S. Hood?  In one second you're alive and then, in the "Blink of an Eye;" they were up there with You.  Two Crows are fighting out in the desert.

           I wrote before how the Hood was blown to bits on May the 24th in 1941, which is also Mr. Steve's parent's wedding anniversary too.  In 1941 an accurate shot from the Bismarck hit and caused an explosion which blew the Hood apart.  Frida and Diego are flying toward the east.

          Daisy's so right God.  You must've been protecting those three British Sailors on the Hood who somehow miraculously survived that gigantic explosion.  An accurately aimed shot from the Bismarck may have, unluckily for the Hood; hit one of the ammunition magazine rooms.    

            .                                                  

                                               RICHARD HENRY DANA (1818-1882)    

                  

           Mentioning Sailors makes me think of that one guy from "Massachusetts" Richard Henry Dana.  I wrote on Thursday how, in the 1830's as one of those Sailors called "Seamen;" he visited "Mexican" Alta California.  He went back to "New England" and wrote that book about it.

           You can see on a map how Massachusetts is really close to where Mr. Steve's sister Susan lives with her sons Dalton and Austin.  The 1830's were the years of the "Californios," and the period when that guy "Zorro" was around.  Fred, Ed and Ted just zipped bye going east.

         Mr. Steve told his mom about he and that girl "Nancy" visiting the "Replica" 19th century wooden sailing Ship.   It's "Moored" or "Docked" down in "Dana Point," the town named after Richard Henry Dana.   O.J. Simpson's second wife's family are from there Daisy heard. 

   

                                                                         CALIFORNIA                

        

           Dana Point isn't shown on the map of California but I know it's between Long Beach and Oceanside.  Richard Henry Dana was from a famous and "influential" family, one of the original English "first families" to colonize the east coast in the 17th century.  Ah!  I smell some Sage.  

           Richard Henry Dana was nineteen when, for "health purposes," took that voyage out here to Alta California.  That book he wrote later, "Two Years Before the Mast;" described San Diego in the south and Santa Barbara and San Francisco up in the north I guess.  Dawn's barking.

          Daisy saw that one Huell Howser episode where he visited the San Juan Capistrano area.  Richard Henry Dana's Ship stopped there too I guess.  I want to see that segment.  As I've said a few times in my books, Mr. Steve and his mom had an Art Exhibit at Capistrano Mission.     

                   

                                           "SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO" MISSION   

PAINTINGS BY STELLA CÓRDOVA         

            

             One time our boss met this lady who had worked at the High School Nicole Simpson went to.  I guess they discussed the O.J. trial.  And they found out both of them at one point considered becoming Tour Guide "Docents" at the Getty Museum "Up the Coast" from Dana Point.              

       Mr. Steve told that lady how one time he and his mom went down to West L.A., near the Getty Museum; so he could give a lecture and do a "Slide Presentation" about the history of the  Alta California Missions.  Cher just used the left gate slot to go out into the desert.                         

          Daisy says she can tell our Chief enjoyed doing those presentations to the groups of Girl Scout leaders.  I've mentioned before how he likes sharing knowledge so long as he's talking to a  "Receptive Audience."  The scent of Theodora's favorite Creosote bush just floated in.                               

SPANISH VOYAGES OF EXPLORATION TO "ALTA" CALIFORNIA      

        

         Over the last three days I've learned a lot about the different Native Indian groups who've live here in Alta California.  I love looking at this map that shows the times when Spanish down    in Mexico sent Ships up here to try to explore our area.  Creosote has such a good smell.                

       Daisy says one time our boss and Mr. Dave talked about the area around what became the Capistrano Mission.  When he lived out here Mr. Dave borrowed some of the material Mr. Steve and his parents read as Tour Guides.  A little Sparrow holding a twig ran bye right now.               

      I guess, Mr. Dave borrowed a book about that guy Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo, who came up here in 1542; the same year Coronado explored in New Mexico.  Even though he didn't survive,    before he died Cabrillo made that written record which did.  Boy!  It's a good thing he did.           

                       

      "TONGVA"                 INDIAN VILLAGES                 "CHUMASH"             

PAINTING BY MAY LEIGHTON THOMSON                                                                                                                                                                                              

                

         According to what Dais heard Mr. Dave say, that guy Cabrillo described the Native people who lived near the California coasts.  He noticed the villages got larger in Summer, when colder    weather returned many Indians went to the interior.  Two of the Pigeons are flying bye.                 

       I guess, Cabrillo said some of the Native people he and his Sailors saw lived in these houses where "Reeds" were connected onto wooden frames.  Some buildings were round in shape, a few even had "Gabled" roofs; and were big enough to hold fifty people.  I smell Daffy over there.       

       Dais heard our boss and Mr. Dave discussing a Franciscan Priest named Gerónimo Boscana, He came from Spain to the New World and ended up here in Alta California.  For a long time he was at Capistrano and wrote the best early 19th century description of the Native people.                              

FRAY GERÓNIMO BOSCANA (1775-1831)         

                    

         Our boss also lent Mr. Dave material about that man Father Boscana, who's buried at the "San Gabriel" Mission.  He's the only Spaniard in a cemetery where some of those "Tongvan"    Indian converts are buried.  I've mentioned how the Spanish called them "Gabrielinos."               

     Daisy heard Father Boscana wrote how the Indians near Capistrano Mission called their religion "Chingichngich."  Mr. Dave, who's either a "Hupa" or "Hoopa;" said he's seen other      spellings for the Capistrano Indian's religion.   I just sounded it out as best as I can.                       

        I guess, the Indian people near Capistrano had "Political" leaders who were also Priests, and had "absolute dictatorial power."  Mr. Steve thinks, because life was so difficult; people just trusted them when it came to the "Rituals" for hunting or gathering food.  A Train whistled.         

WREN ("CHOLLA" CACTUS)           

           Ah!  The combined scent of Wren and Cholla cactus just came in on a slight breeze from behind the Sheds.  That makes me feel pretty good, especially as I now see the little baby Cholla    cactus growing over there in the dirt.   A Motorcycle just zoomed bye out there in the desert. 

        Our boss and Mr. Dave talked about how Father Boscana said the leaders of some of the Indian groups near Capistrano got to wear robes made out of Elk or Bear hides.  Regular people didn't wear much clothes I guess, but did paint their bodies.  Dust is floating over the desert.        

         Daisy says Mr. Dave was interested when he read how some of the Indigenous people here in California painted their bodies in the patterns of Spanish clothes.  A few of the men imitated    the fancy uniforms worn by the Spanish Soldiers.  Dawn's barking, and I can smell Blinky.           

        

FRIAR ZEPHYRIN ENGELHARDT (1851-1934)

            

          I just thought of that guy Father Engelhardt, who I've mentioned before was a "German" Franciscan Priest.  In 1890 he was sent out here to California to operate that Indian children's      "Boarding School" at Capistrano Mission.  A flock of Birds is going bye up there in the sky.          

        Daisy says our boss talked with Mr. Dave about "Padre" Englehardt, and how he one time did artwork for a lady whose last name was Englehardt.  She'd never heard of Father Englehardt so he gave things to read about him.  I smell the clump of Cholla cactus near Libby's Corral. 

        Our boss told Mr. Dave how, before the economic recession; he had a customer in the city of "Covington;" in "Kentucky."  That's where Father Englehardt lived before being sent out here.  He wrote that one book Mr. Steve and his parents read about the Alta California Missions.           

                                   

FIRST "BAPTISM" IN "ALTA" CALIFORNIA

("SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO" MISSION")   

ARTWORK BY A.B. DODGE              

            

          A painting from Father Englehardt's book shows the "first Indian Baptism." A baby, who later died; was burned in a fire and the painting shows a Franciscan Priest holding a container of holy water, the other Priest putting it on the babies forehead.  I like their Franciscan haircuts.      

          Boy Lord!  Looking at this painting really makes me want to be Baptized the way You were by Your Cousin John the Baptist.  That would be so great and, as You know already of course;      Daisy would definitely want that too.   Mormon's dunk the whole body in the water.  Wow!           

        Our boss told Mr. Dave he thinks one reason why some of Indian groups here in California willingly gave their leaders so much power was because life was such a struggle for survival.  At times they had enough food and water, and at other times they didn't.  Life was so hard then.                                                       FRED, ED AND TED       

     

          Ah!  Fred, Ed and Ted are sitting on a branch of the Mulberry tree, and seeing them makes me feel good.  The first people to live near Capistrano were the "San Dieguito," followed by the    "La Jollan" culture.  About 1400 A.D. the "San Luis Rey" culture replaced the La Jollans.           

        Mr. Dave said the San Luis Rey people spoke a "Shoshonean" language, which might mean they conquered the Native people already there.  Father Boscana said in the early 1800's each of  the villages defended their territory "vigorously."  A Train whistled over there to my left.              

      Daisy heard Mr. Dave mention how Father Boscana said back in his day fighting between  Indian villages was "frequent and bloody."  I've written how bows and arrows made it possible    to kill an opponent without having to fight them "Hand to Hand."  It's less risky that way.            

           

MR. DAVE     

       

         Daisy says our boss and Mr. Dave talked about how hard life was for Indians who lived in California at the time of the Missions.  Disease and injury were common, and fresh water was  at times hard to find.  Babies often died and most Indians did not live past the age of forty.                

       Once Capistrano Mission grew, with plenty of food to eat from the orchards and gardens; more Indians decided to become Catholics.  There were also big herds of cattle and sheep to get    meat from too.  I can see two long vapor trails way up there in the high blue sky right now.           

        Because people back east wanted things from California like cattle hides, those Ships from New England were sent out here to trade.  That's what the Ship Richard Henry Dana was on was doing.  In the 19th century; Ships had to go all the way around the bottom of South America.                                         

ANNE BRADSTREET (1612-1872)

                      

       Writing about that guy Richard Henry Dana suddenly makes me think about that early 1600's lady Anne Bradstreet again.  Mr. Steve helped his Nephew Sammy Jr. do that report on      her.  She was the first ever "Poet" published from the then young New England colonies.               

          As I mentioned on Thursday, Anne Bradstreet was a "Puritan" Protestant Christian who was may more educated than most 17th century females.  With her husband, who I guess was a    very smart person too; she moved to Massachusetts.  Then they had eight children.                        

           Like Jane Austen about two centuries later in England, Anne Bradstreet and other girls were discouraged, it not being "Appropriate;" from being writers.  But Anne Bradstreet was so    lucky her father and husband did not believe in those ideas.  One of the Ducks is quacking.           

   

ORIGINAL THIRTEEN BRITISH "COLONIES"

       

             This Encyclopedia describes Anne Bradstreet's husband as more "open-minded" than most other men from that time.  He encouraged his wife to write poetry.  I really like this map of the original New England colonies which would all later become American States.

             As I said in book one the day before yesterday, Richard Henry Dana was "descended" from Anne Bradstreet.  So Dais thinks,  he must've inherited his talent in the same way our boss got his abilities from is mom too.  Bonnie and Clyde just flew bye going over the house.   

            Oh wow!  I guess Richard Henry Dana's son married the daughter of that other famous writer Henry Wadsworth Longfellow.  And Richard Henry Dana was a good friend of Herman Melville who wrote "Moby Dick."  I'd really like to smell a big Whale sometime.  

             

          LONGFELLOW(1807-1882)      DANA (1818-1882)        MELVILLE (1819-1891)   

            

            Dais says one time in 1985 their Tour Bus drove past a Protestant cemetery in the city of Rome.  The Guide mentioned Richard Henry Dana was buried in there.  I guess, he was in Italy when he died of "influenza" so; his family just went ahead and buried him over there.

            I've mentioned how Mr. Steve's father regrets never taking his family to Spain.  But, it's too late now because he knows logically how hard it would be to get a corpse back in the "One in a Million" chance he or his wife dies outside the U.S. area.   A Train whistled to the north.

           As a Nurse, Sandy's mom knew about "Blood Clots."  If an older person sits in one place, like on a long Airplane ride; there's a chance of dying from a blood clot.  And Mr. Steve's dad has really bad blood "Circulation" in his legs from when they froze during the Korean War.

                         

   OLIVER WENDELL HOLMES (1841-1936)     HERBERT HOOVER (1874-1964)           HUMPHRY BOGART (1899-1957)

               I wrote in my first book how, not only was Richard Henry Dana a descendant of that lady Anne Bradstreet; so were other famous people too.  One was President Hoover.  I notice in this Encyclopedia he died in 1935, which is the same exact year our boss's mom was born.

           Hey Lord!  I just noticed how another one of Anne Bradstreet's descendants, Humphry Bogart; was born on December the 25th.  Supposedly that's Your birthday too but, as I've said before; Mr. Steve and his dad doubt it.  Cher just went quietly behind Manny.

           One time our boss and Mr. Grant were talking on the phone and the subject of  Oliver Wendell Holmes came up.  So Mr. Steve told him that Oliver Wendell Holmes was a descendant of Anne Bradstreet too.  If I could time travel I'd want to smell Anne Bradstreet.   

                                           

                                                                                           BILL GARCIA (1932-1995)

("PRESS CONFERENCE" / "L.A. PRESS CLUB" / 1986)

PHOTO BY STEVE CÓRDOVA          

       

           Oh!  I just noticed I forgot to write one more thing about the O.J. Simpson trial.  On the day he was acquitted Dais says our Chief and his father were at "Santa Rosa" Church in San Fernando attending a funeral.  It was for his dad's best friend named Bill Garcia.  

           Mr. Steve and his father both spoke at Mr. Garcia's funeral.  I mentioned how Mr. Garcia worked for "Republican" L.A. "Supervisor" Mike Antonovich, even though he was one of those "Democrats."  Daisy heard how it was Mike Antonovich who gave Mr. Garcia's main eulogy.

          After Bill Garcia's funeral, when Mr. Steve and his father walked into his parent's house down in Sylmar; his mom met them in the Entrance Way saying, "Well, they found O.J. Simpson innocent."  She hadn't followed the trial at all.  But she felt instinctively he was guilty.                   

                                                     

                                          MIKE ANTONOVICH / MR. STEVE'S FATHER

PHOTO BY STEVE CÓRDOVA      

       

          In 1986, when Mr. Steve's father was fired as "Foreman" of the L.A. "Grand Jury;" Bill Garcia gave him "Moral Support."  At the "Press Conference" he sat next to him as the "Press" asked many questions.  Ah!  The scent of the Rose bushes floated in over here to the Patio.  

         As I've written about before, Mr. Steve's dad, as head of the Grand Jury; had been asked by Mike Antonovich and the other "Supervisors" to review or look at new evidence in the Marilyn Monroe case.  He recommended they "Re-Open" it.  God!  Thank You for making flowers.

         Hey God!  I just thought about how Mr. Steve's father thinks, if a person has one "really good" friend in a lifetime they're lucky; as some never have even one.  Mr. Garcia was his best friend and Dais is mine alright.  I wonder if Heathcliff had a best friend when he was alive?  

                 

         HORNED TOAD             

                   

            Oh!  I just noticed the Horned Toad in the dirt just over there but, it better be careful as Crows, Ravens and Hawks love to eat them; and so does Cher too.   Yup!  I knew it was going to wiggle and totally bury itself in dirt.  It's really amazing how they can do that so quickly.

            I've mentioned before how, in early 1994; our boss's girlfriend Harriet broke up with him. It was an emotionally hard time so his friend Andrew, feeling sorry for him; introduced him to that girl Debra who I've talked about.  Andrew had that band DREAM FRONTIER.

           Debra, even though she had an Irish last name; was a descendant of that very famous 19th century "Comanche" Chief named Quanah Parker.  I've mentioned how, using the Horse; they terrorized and dominated all of the other Indian tribes.  They also used Horses to hunt. 

                      

           CYNTHIA ANN PARKER(1827-1871)          QUANAH PARKER(c.1845-1911)

                 

           Oh!  This Encyclopedia says Quanah Parker's mom was white.  But in 1836, when she was just a little girl; Comanche's rode in really fast and killed all of her relatives and took her captive as a "War Prize" Slave.  That was in Texas in the same year as the the "Battle of the Alamo."  

          Cynthia Ann Parker became totally a Comanche and her new name was "Naduah" which means "Someone Found."  She married a man and one of their kids was Quanah Parker.  I like the pictures of her and her son, who looks like he would be really brave and courageous. 

               On Thursday I wrote about "Horse Warrior" cultures, like the 5th century A.D. "Huns" under "Attila;" or the 13th century "Mongol Hordes" under Genghis Khan.  I've also written about how the Horse was "Re-Introduced" to North and South America.  I smell Sage.

                                                                                                                                      MONGOLS                                                                                                                                        

               I've written before about 1519 when that Spanish Conquistador Herando Córtez sailed to what is now Mexico and ended up conquering the Aztecs.  And his troops brought sixteen Horses with them.  Few knew how much Horses would "Multiply" in the New World.

            Horses had gone "Extinct" in North and South America even before the last Ice Age, as I've said before.  The Spanish "Colonized" New Mexico in the early 17th century and took some Horses with them I guess.  A small group of Birds are flying bye way up there. 

            On Thursday in book one I wrote about that now extinct little Horse named "Eohippus." They were the size of Cher the Cat and I'll bet were really fast runners.  When I wrote about the "La Brea Tar Pits" Museum I mentioned those giant and scary "Saber-Toothed" Lions.    

    

                            "CORONADO" EXPEDITION ("NEW MEXICO" / 1540'S)

      

           I've written about the Spanish expedition of 1542, led by that guy Coronado.  They rode Horses through areas like what is now the State of  New Mexico.  Then, as I've mentioned before; in the year 1598 the Spanish sent up a few "Colonists" from Mexico City with some Horses.    

                For about four decades in the 1600's, the settlers in New Mexico did not want to show the Native "Pueblo-Hopi" Indians about Horses.  That girl Debra knew that the Spanish needed the Indians to become those "Vacquero" Cowboys I've written about.  I smell new Sage. 

                 I guess, in about 1640; Indians taught to use Horse equipment ran away with Horses to join up with some of those "Apache" Indians.  Even though Apache's were not Horse warriors, in 1650 they attacked Spanish settlements.   In 1680 that "Pueblo Revolt" happened. 

    

                                       "EXPLORER"                                        FORD                                 "EXPEDITION"

 

                Mentioning the explorer Coronado's 1542 expedition to New Mexico reminds me about how the Ford Company makes two S.U.V.'S called the "Explorer" and "Expedition."  Since the 1990's they've both been in the "Light Truck" category.  Two Pigeons just flew bye.                        

           One time Dais heard our Chief talk with Mr. Bob in Missouri.  They discussed how the Explorer comes in three types while the Expedition is a "Full Size" vehicle.  The Explorer has      been used by Police Departments and in some forms is one of those "Crossover" S.U.V.'S.             

            Oh!  My Encyclopedia says, in 1997 after the O.J. chase; the Expedition "succeeded" the "Bronco."   And that other American Car company "Lincoln" makes the same vehicle as that      "Navigator" I mentioned before.  Other "Brands" use the Expedition under other names.             

                                         

   "ABÓ" RUINS (ABOVE "MOUNTANAIR")   

                                                                                                               

               I've written about the time when Mr. Steve was in Belén and drove east to see that town called "Mountainair."  Actually, he went there to see the ruins of that destroyed Spanish Church  from the time of the 1680 "Pueblo-Hopi" revolt.  Those ruins are in the mountains. 

               Wow!  My Encyclopedia says, in the 1680 revolt; the New Mexico Indians slaughtered and killed over four hundred Spanish people.  So, the survivors "fled" back down south to Mexico.  A year later the Spanish tried to take New Mexico back by force but were unsuccessful.

          I guess, when the Spanish were "driven" from New Mexico; they left behind Horses which got loose and were able to live wild and really survive.  As Charles Darwin would probably say in his idea of "Natural Selection," they "Adapted" to the environment.  Dawn's barking.

      

                                                          "COMANCHE" WARRIORS

        DRAWING BY ERNST VON HESSE-WARTEGG                                                                                                   PAINTING BY HOWARD TERPNING                       

     

           As I've written about before, eventually in the "Reconquista" of 1692; the Spanish came back to New Mexico and took the area back in a sometimes brutal way.  That's when Mr. Steve's dad's family are traced to "Nuevo Mejico."  Reconquista" means "Re-Conquest."  

          Dais says that girl Debra studied the history of the Comanche's so knew that, in the early 1600's; they were weak and "Picked On" by some of the other Indians.  But then, herds of wild Horses suddenly appeared.  I'll bet some of them were probably from New Mexico.    

         "Taming" or "Domesticating" Horses then allowed the Comanche's to "Turn the Table" on their enemies as that old saying goes.  My Encyclopedia says they took "bloody revenge."  When they first saw the Horse Debra says the Comanche's thought they were really big Dogs.

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

                               THE "WAR"                  "COMANCHE'S"                THE "HUNT"

   

           Once the Comanche's "acquired" Horses, they could also hunt those huge Buffalo's more easily, and in a lot less danger.  I've mentioned how, a Buffalo's real name is a "Bison" and; Mr. Steve used to have that customer called "Bison" Ford.  A Train just whistled faintly.

           I've written about the "Lakota," or "Sioux;" who also took advantage of the Horse.  They lived on "Great Northern Plains," while the Comanche's were in the "Southern Plains."  I wrote about how our boss used to give money to St. Joseph's Orphanage for those Lakota children.

          I'll bet through "Trial and Error," the 17th century Comanche's  became like the Huns or Mongols.  They could also shoot arrows from galloping Horse's too I'm sure.  Two Pigeons flew in from being out in the back desert and just went over top of the house moving to the west.  

              

            JEDEDIAH SMITH (1799-1831)                              COMANCHE RAID

                   (IN CALIFORNIA / 1826)

                             PAINTING BY FREDERICK REMINGTON

          

           As I've written before, Comanche's killed that Explorer Jedediah Smith.  Debra said what it says here, Comanche's became just as "feared" as "marauding" and "raiding" Vikings.  But, instead of swooping in on "Longboats;" the Comanche's used their Horses to "rampage." 

          Oh!  This is a good time to write about what's called the "Cajon Pass" to the southeast of Piñon Hills.   I was originally scheduled to do it on Thursday in writing about Jedediah Smith, and forgot to do it yesterday too.  My Spanish Dictionary says how "Cajon" means "Box."

          Miss Susan who ran the local Newspaper for all those years knows a lot about the history of the Cajon Pass.  It's now located where the #15 Freeway runs north/south through the "San Gabriel" mountains, kind of near Wrightwood Dais heard.  Fred, Ed and Ted just flew bye.

                  

           SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA FREEWAYS                          "SAN GABRIEL" MOUNTAINS                                                      

                Looking at this map of all the main roads in Southern California you can see how the #15 Freeway veers toward the northeast in between Wrightwood and Hesperia.  The #15 Freeway is the same general route used by Jedediah Smith in 1826.  Leo and Cleo flew over the Sheds.

          Oh!  I wonder of that guy Jedediah Smith and his men were the first "Americans" to see the "Serrano" Indians who live around here?  I've mentioned before how Serrano is Spanish for either "Highlander" or "Mountaineer."  They call themselves "Taaqtam" or "The People." 

         That older "Shoshone" man our boss met over at the Phelan Library said the Native group of people here when the Spanish, Mexicans and then Americans first came in called themselves "Yuhaaviatan" which means "People of the Pines."  That means "San Gabriel" mountains. 

                      

"SERRANO" NATIVE AMERICANS

                                                                                                    PAINTING BY LOUIS CHORIS

  

            Miss Susan said the Serrano Indians used the Cajon Pass to go down into the other areas to trade things with Indians who lived there.  And after California was American that's what that "Pass" was used for too, especially when Railroads came in the 1880's.  Daffy's quacking.

            I guess, according to what Miss Susan told our Chief; the first Spaniard to see the Cajon Pass area may've been one of those "Deserters" I've written about.  He was in the Spanish army but ran away and was living with some Indians.  Deserters are often killed or executed.

       The man who led the party chasing the deserter, in 1771; was named Pedro Fages, who I guess ended up being the very first Spanish "Governor" in "Alta" California.  My Encyclopedia says he named our area in honor of "Saint Bernard," or "San Bernardino."  I smell Sage.           

              

                         "PORTOLÀ EXPEDITION                     GASPAR DE PORTOLÀ                                

                                           (1769)                                                                            (1716-1786)                                                     

            

                  I've mentioned before how in 1769, before it was named "Alta" California; the Spanish used to call our area "California Nueva" or "New California."  That man Pedro Fages came up here with Gaspar de Portolà when they started the first Mission in San Diego.  I smell Sage.

            Oh!  Pedro Fages was also with "Portolà" on that famous expedition up into Northern California on the coastal route which later became known as "El Camino Real," or "The King's Road."  I can see Charley Company walking around out in the desert behind the Sheds.

             It says here, to "demonstrate" to some of those San Diego "Kumeyaay" Indians that I've written about a gun's power; Pedro Fages had holes shot in leather which their arrows "couldn't penetrate."  This really scared them as they realized what had happened.  Dawn's barking.  

 

FRIAR FRANCISCO GARCÉS (1738-1781)

DRAWING BY NICK CATALDO

     

             I guess, a Franciscan Priest who was Father Serra's friend named Francisco Garces, in 1775 went through the Cajon Pass.  Padre Garcés explored not only California, but also Nevada and also Arizona too.  The "American Revolution" broke out the very next year in 1776.

            Daisy says our boss and his parents, when Tour Guides at the San Fernando Mission; read parts of a Diary kept by Father Garcés.  Father Garces ended up being killed by some Indians in 1781.  Charley Company's blended scent just came floating in to me over here on the Patio. 

           One time, when he was living in Sylmar; Mr. Steve sold things to a guy from Bakersfield who went to a High School named for Friar Garces.  And Daisy heard that's because, not only did Father Garces explore in our area; he also explored the "Tejon Pass" too.  I smell Sage. 

       

              ANTONIO ARMIJO (1804-1850)    "OLD SPANISH TRAIL"        EN ROUTE TO CALIFORNIA     

                                                                                                                                                                     PAINTING BY FREDERICK REMINGTON

       

                  I've written about the "Old Spanish Trail."   It's the route that guy from New Mexico named Antonio Armijo first crossed in 1829; two years after Jedediah Smith came to California.  It became, until the Mexican War; a "Trade Route" between Santa Fe and Los Angeles.      

            In 1829 California and New Mexico were both a part of Mexico, which had broken away from Spain about eight years earlier.  That "Armijo Expedition" went through the Cajon Pass.  Just like Jedediah Smith and his men in 1827, it was going south to "San Gabriel" Mission. 

           On the way coming out to California in 1829 the "Las Vegas" area was named, because in those days the area had some water springs.  I've mentioned before how Las Vegas is Spanish for "Fertile Plains," which it "sure isn't any more" Mr. Steve says.  Andy's now looking at me.     

   

THE "MORMON" BATTALION ("MEXICAN WAR / 1846-1847)

              In book one on Thursday I wrote about how, during the Mexican War; that man Brigham Young provided a "Battalion" of Mormon men to were sent out here to California.   But after the war was over they then had to go back over to "Utah."   Samson and Delilah are flying bye. 

            To get back home the "Mormon Battalion" came up from the south and went through the Cajon Pass.  That was in the year 1848, the year "Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo" ended the war and the "Southwest" became American.  Miss Susan knows about the Mormon Battalion.

           Gold was discovered up in Northern California near "Sutter's Mill in 1848 and that "Gold Rush" was going on.  So, a Mormon guy named Jefferson Hunt, who had been a Captain in the Mormon Battalion; led a group of men back to California.  I smell the baby Cholla cactus. 

                       

"MORMON ROCKS"  

     

                  This one Encyclopedia says, after Captain Hunt's group got to the Cajon Pass, they had to "disassemble" their Wagons and carry them to the bottom where they were "reassembled."  It was kind of near those "Mormon Rocks" I've written about before.  Libby just whinnied.

                  In 1869, four years after the American Civil War; that "Trans Continental" Railroad was completed and connected east and west coasts.  In 1885 the "Santa Fe" company, who Grandpa Trujillo worked for later; built a railroad through the Cajon Pass.  I smell Andy over there.

            Daisy and Millie heard Miss Susan tell our boss one of those "Toll" roads I've mentioned before was established through the Cajon Pass.  When Cars were later invented it was paved and eventually became a section of that famous "Route 66" Highway.  Frida and Diego flew bye.                                 

U.S."ROUTE 66"    

           

                  Miss Susan says "State Highway 91" was built in the early 20th century, and "evolved" into the #15 Freeway going up north to Las Vegas; or down to the city of San Bernardino in the south.  Ah!  I just picked up Charley Company's scent coming in from behind the Sheds.

            In the 18th century the Spanish used the word "Caja" or "Box," as a "Geographical" term for canyons.  My Encyclopedia says the original full name for the Cajon Pass area was "El Cajon que llaman Muscupaivit."   That means "The Canyon That They Call Muscupaivit." 

           According to Miss Susan "Muscupaivit" was an Indian name for the Cajon Pass area.  Up high in the sky; going toward the southeast; is a long and slowly extending vapor trail.  There are hardly any clouds and I feel good taking in breaths of fresh air through both of my nostrils.

      

VAPOR TRAIL       

        

             It says here in 1819, or three years before Mexico broke away from Spain; a Franciscan Priest officially named that pass through the San Gabriel mountains "El Cajon de San Gabriel de Amuscopaibit."  Hey God!  Thank You for how good I feel right now.  Dawn's barking.

            After the Old Spanish Trail was established in 1829 by that guy Antonio Armijo, it was mainly the California Horses the people from New Mexico wanted to trade for the most.  But a few were also trying to steal the Horses too from what Dais heard.  I smell Blinky over there.

           Until the the Mexican War was over and the Old Spanish Trail ended people tried to steal California Horses for New Mexico.  Miss Susan and our boss talked about this one "Ute" Indian called "Walkara," who stole Horses.  He took stolen Horse herds through the Cajon Pass. 

  

"CALIFORNIO VAQUERO" COWBOY

PAINTING BY JAMES ALEXANDER WALKER      

     

                  I've written before about the "Californio" period, when our area was part of Mexico after independence.  Because, since the Spanish time; Cattle had become so important the riding of Horses became "equally as important" Mr. Steve says.  They were the first "Cowboys."  

           Over the last three days I've mentioned a few times how Mr. Steve tells people we're lucky to have been born into the most "affluent" culture ever to exist in history.  Most society's don't have big "Middle Classes," only "rich or poor."  I can smell Libby over there in her Corral.

          Boy God!  I sure hope the United States lasts a long time but Mr. Steve and his father say "Nothing lasts Forever."  And things are going way faster now so Hegel's "Dialectic" system is happening or developing much faster too.  The Comanche nation only  lasted two centuries.   

           

                                                                "COMANCHERIA "   

           

              I can see on this one map how the people who spoke Spanish called the Comanche's area as "Comancheria."  That girl Debra was right when she told our boss what it says here.  The first half of the 19th century was an era of "brutality" and "unthinkable atrocities" in Texas.  

            As I've said a few times in my books, Mr. Steve thinks in history violence has always been just as common as living in peace.  In fact he says, at times it seems more common.  In the 1800's both whites and Indians were very capable of incredible "Acts of Cruelty" as they say. 

           That guy Quanah Parker is described as a "War Leader" of the "Quahadi" band but it's likely he was born into the "Nokoni" group his mother was put in.  I guess he killed a few white men in the mid-19th century.   Quahadi means "Antelope," Nokoni is "Wanderers."

  

                                                       "JUDGE" QUANAH PARKER

           

                 A picture shows Quanah Parker in "later years."   I notice the nice suit and tie that he's wearing.  Wow!  The caption says he eventually got the Comanche's to "give up war," accept the "White man's World;" and he later became a "Judge" in Oklahoma.  Dawn's barking.  

           Quanah Parker killed defending Comancheria but "At the end of the Day" knew it was a suicidal "Futile Effort."  Many whites agreed with Phil Sheridan, "The only good Indian I ever saw was dead."  When the Buffaloes were almost "Killed Off" their "Fate was Sealed."      

          Even if a Comanche could shoot twenty arrows in a minute, in the "Post Civil War" years those high-powered "Repeating Rifles" I've written about meant; the "Writing" was  "On the Wall" so to speak.  I really like how Quanah Parker's hair looks in all of his pictures.

                       

                              COMACHE'S (LOCOMOTIVE TRAIN IN BACKGROUND)    

         PAINTING "THE IRON HORSE" BY FRANK MCCARTHY         

                          

               In my books I've learned about times when one side wins because they had better ways of killing people in war.  A painting shows Comanche Warriors looking at a late 19th century Train and that symbolizes the end of their "Way of Life."  Two Crows are fighting out there.  

          Wow!  That painting is called "The Iron Horse."  In ancient history soldiers with the iron weapons beat those with bronze even though both are courageous.  The Aztecs fought so bravely against the Spanish but didn't have metal at all.  And Córtez had those Horses too.  

          Mr. Steve, and that girl Debra too; think Quanah Parker was a "Realist" who knew if the Comanche's were going to survive they'd have to adjust.  Like Mr. Steve thinks, "Nothing lasts Forever."  Hey God!  I really promise to try not to take things for granted as much. 

                                                                               

                                                                          LIBBY    

          

             I just looked over to my right and see Libby standing in her Corral.  The sunlight, now coming from the west; is shining off of her back.   Seeing how pretty her khaki color is right now, which is the same color as me; makes me wonder what my body looks like in the Sun. 

                  Boy!  It's hard to believe this day has gone so well considering how, in the "Back of my Mind" as they say; I'm still thinking of Heathcliff.  Looking at Libby over there makes me think about how she'll have to stay in her Stall when the hot weather gets here.  I smell her.

           Oh!  I just noticed I missed something on my outline.  I was supposed to write about this  huge bronze statue that guy Leonardo da Vinci was hired to make in 1482.  Daisy saw a tv show where the man said it was "commissioned" by a rich guy in "Milan" to honor his father.

                

                DA VINCI DRAWING (1480'S)                      DA VINCI HORSE (MICHIGAN)  

                                                                                                                                          PHOTO BY RACHEL KRAMER

         

                  My Encyclopedia says what the tv show said too, how Leonardo was never able to finish his giant Horse sculpture for Milan.  I guess, a war broke out and the bronze was needed instead to make canons.  The smaller clay sculpture he made even got destroyed during the war.

            Mr. Steve, before the economic recession; used to have a customer in Pennsylvania who one time told him about a girl named Nina Akamu.  She was given the job of trying to actually complete Leonardo da Vinci's idea.   The sky is so beautiful and that makes me feel good.

            Daisy says the Parts Manager told our boss how that girl Miss Nina was able to make not just one but two big twenty four foot tall Horses.   One was sent back to Italy and is in Milan, the other one here in the State of "Michigan."  My right nostril just picked up Libby's scent.   

                  

LEONARDO            MICHELANGELO        

                             (1452-1519)                 (1475-1564)                                      

               

                Over the last three days I've learned about those two guys Leonardo and Michelangelo, and how they were two of the best Artist's from that "Renaissance" period.  Michelangelo was about twenty years younger than Leonardo.  That was before there was "Italy" the country.

           Daisy says the tv show mentioned how Leonardo was so disappointed in not being able to finish his big Horse, and on his deathbed even mentioned it.  It's too bad he couldn't have figured out how to make a time machine so he could come here to see those Horses.  I smell Sage.  

          Michelangelo, who wasn't very friendly; ran into Leonardo on the street one time and he made fun of that never completed bronze Horse.  Leonardo got really mad and even tried to fight him Dais says.  Michelangelo never did care about making friends and things like that.     

   

"EOHIPPUS" HORSE

     

             Cher is using the right vertical gate slot to go out into the field behind the Sheds.  And for some reason that makes me think of that little extinct Horse "Eohippus."  It's hard to believe a Horse could be so small.  Libby's walking around near the back fence along Primavera Road.

           I've mentioned before how the name Eohippus comes from the fact that they lived during that "Eocene" period.  In Greek "Eos" means "Dawn," while "Hippos" the name for a Horse. The Eocene era lasted from about 56 million B.C. all the way through about 33 million B.C.     

               All of a sudden I just thought about those ancient people called the "Scythians."  Before the Comanche's, Mongols or even the Huns; they were around.  And the Scythians were probably the first culture to adapt the Horse for mobile cavalry warfare.  A Duck is quacking.   

             

                                            "SCYTHIAN" FEMALE WARRIOR   

       ARTWORK BY EVGENY KRAY                        

                    

                Female Scythian warriors, like their men, could ride galloping Horses shooting arrows accurately.  Comanche's could ride on the side of a Horse, using the Horse's body as a shield.  I  see Libby's walking around near the back of her Corral, next to Primavera Road. 

           Mr. Steve and Debra were "seeing" each other at the time of O.J. Simpson's trial.  He still thinks about Debra and her daughter Talia.  But in 1996 Debra and Talia moved up north to a city in California called "Walnut Creek;" so they could be closer to Talia's father.

            For a time after Debra moved she and Mr. Steve would talk occasionally on the phone but haven't spoken now in many years.  Sometimes our boss wonders about Debra and Talia.  He'd like to know how they're doing but their phone number was changed a while back.

                                                                                                                                                 

                                                MISS DEBRA (AS A "BRIDE'S MAID")

           Daisy says our boss described to Mr. Ralph on the phone how Debra was a "live wire" who had a "decent soul." He jokes she reminded him at times of a young version of Granny Clampett from the Beverly Hillbillies.  She had, and probably still does; a "Mind of her Own." 

           Mr. Steve's mom uses the word "feisty" and I guess that would describe Debra.  Debra's neighbor used the word "Spark Plug."  But, Debra smoked cigarettes and Mr. Steve had never been with a girl who did that.  The four Pigeons just now flew out into the back desert.  

           As much as he tried to ignore it, our boss couldn't get used to cigarettes.  He thinks Debra probably found him way too "regimented and structured" anyway he says.  Daisy heard Debra even tried to quit smoking, but Mr. Steve felt really guilty about her doing that for him.

                          

   1978 CADILLAC ("EL DORADO" / ""BIARRITZ")

                

              During the period of the O.J trial in 1995 Mr. Steve helped Debra move from one place in West Los Angeles to another.  At that time he was driving what he calls his big "Boat Anchor" or 1978 Cadillac El Dorado.  It was a Car that his parents gave him according to Daisy.

            In trip after trip I guess Mr. Steve and Debra moved her and Talia's things.  That giant El Dorado carried a big load my boss says.  Because of the high cost of gas now our Chief told Mr. Ralph it would be a totally "impractical" Car to drive around in today Daisy heard. 

           Over the last three days I've mentioned Mr. Steve's two 1968 Chevelle's, one of which had had a "Small Block" V-8 motor.  But his "Super Sport" version had a "Big Block" just like the 1978 El Dorado.  I guess our boss and Harriet used that Cadillac on her job assignments.

  

                                                                       1968 CHEVROLET S.S. CHEVELLE

          Every once in a while Mr. Steve has dreams about all of the different Cars he's had over the many years.  He told his customer Bob back there in Missouri how that sky blue El Dorado had what's called a vinyl "Half Roof."  It was powered by a big 425 cubic inch V-8 motor.    

         When our Chief first met Debra and Talia they lived near to the beach in that area of West L.A. called "Sawtelle."  But she moved to an apartment south of the Santa Monica Freeway. In the years before, and after World War II too; that area had been called "Little Osaka."

              Mr. Steve met an older Japanese-American lady who grew up in Little Osaka. She told him how at one time that area had been what they call a "tight-knit" community of Japanese people.  This was before, and then right after; the Second World War.  I can smell a Joshua tree.

   

FRANKIE DUARTE

PHOTO BY STEVE CÓRDOVA

                Daisy says our boss told the Japanese-American lady about that Boxer Frankie Duarte, who he used to take pictures of back in the 1980's. Frankie Duarte also grew up in that area of West L.A. called Sawtelle too.  Rudy just ducked out into the back desert right now.

            Over the last three days I've learned about Boxing, mainly because Mr. Steve and his dad are interested in that subject.  I can't wait to someday watch a Boxing match on tv the way Daisy does.  I keep on hoping all of a sudden I'll hear Heathcliff and feel really, really happy.

           I've mentioned before how Daisy sometimes jokes about how, hitting each other; is better than biting or stabbing each other for the entertainment of others.   We're both so glad our boss doesn't like Dog Fighting.  Boy!  The sky is beautiful right now, which makes me feel good. 

             

                     "VAPOR" TRAIL                                       GEORGIA O'KEEFE (1887-1986)

                                                                                                                                            PAINTING BY MICHAEL A. VACCARO

  

           I see a vapor trail up there.  Mr. Steve told his mom on the phone how Georgia O'Keefe said color was one of the things which made life "worth living."  Looking to the east beyond the three Sheds I think I understand her.  Mr. Dave in New Mexico loves sunlight too.

           "Photosynthesis" is Greek for, "Putting together with light."  I meant to look that word up yesterday but had so many things crossed out on my outline I overlooked it until Daisy noticed.  Boy!  Thank Everyone up there so much for having Dais be around at a time like this. 

            I guess, the reason why plants are green is because of "Chlorophyll;" but the "Scientific" reasons why Photosynthesis happens is kind of hard to understand.  All I know right now is that seeing green is making me feel better.  Boy!  No wonder to some green is the color of hope.

          

JAPANESE-AMERICAN "NISEI" PUT IN "INTERNMENT" CAMPS (1942)

               

              That one Japanese lady from West Los Angeles told our boss how, after Pearl Harbor, her family was "rounded up" and sent to "Internment Camps."  Mr. Steve told her that his family Doctors, Oda and Sakaguchi, were sent to those camps too.  Dawn's barking over there.   

          Japanese-Americans used to call Sawtelle "Soh te ru" the lady said.  Mr. Steve explained the concept of those "Restrictive Covenants" to her, and how even "Racial" restrictive covenants were common in "Real Estate" contracts for years in many parts of the country.  I like Dawn.

          A restrictive racial covenant meant only white people could live in most places in many areas of the U.S.  So, for a long time Japanese were not allowed to live in areas of West L.A like Beverly Hills, Bel-Air; or even that one other town Westwood too.  Dawn's really brave!    

          

                                                               "LITTLE TOKYO"   

         

            Mr. Steve and that Japanese-American lady sat in the living room and one of the things they discussed was how Mr. Grant and his family live in "Little Tokyo" near downtown.  And he told her about Debra and Talia too.  The scent of Juniper just came in on a slight breeze.   

           Our boss told the lady Restrictive Racial Covenants are now illegal.  He also told her about the "Negro Motorist Green Book," which told black people where it was safe to stay if they were traveling in America.  Black people were beat up or arrested a lot more back in those days.  

            I guess that "Green Book" came out from the early 1930's, during the Great Depression;  until the late 1960's.   Mr. Steve sold a copy of it at a Swap Meet years ago and told Mr. Mark in Hawaii he wishes he still had it.  I've written about "Segregation" in all of my books. 

           

                                               "NEGRO MOTORIST GREEN BOOK"

          

            In my books I've also written about "Route 66" and I'll bet black people traveled on it too over the years.  Many Motels and Hotels in the U.S. really didn't want black people staying there for many years.  And it wasn't just in the South that white people thought that way.

           "Sundown" towns were those where black people had to be out of town by dark or "Risk" being put in jail.  As a matter of fact our Chief told that one lady, right here in L.A.; the cities of "Glendale" and "Burbank" were like that too.   Frida and Diego both just zoomed bye.

                 For years the only days black people could swim in the "Public" pool in "Pasadena" was on "International Day."   That guy Jackie Robinson lived there during those times.  I've written before about the difference between "De Jure" versus "De Facto" segregation in history.  

    

                                                                  LIVING ROOM   

     

           That Japanese-American lady liked Mr. Steve's mom's paintings and noticed things on the living room coffee table.  Like other's, she seemed impressed at how large some of Mr. Steve's mom's paintings are.  She saw those "Ninja" assassin "Throwing Stars on the coffee table.  

           The lady said it's kind of sad how Little Osaka has lost its Japanese identity now.  But, in Little Tokyo where Mr. Grant's family live most of the time; there are still things that show some Japanese influences I guess.  Andy's sniffing the air, just in case Cher or Goliath are around. 

          Mr. Steve and the lady talked about a town in Los Angeles called "Monterey Park," where now most of the people who live there are "Asian."  The lady said it's called the first "Suburban" Asian community over here in the United States.  It's in the western "San Gabriel Valley."

                       

      19TH CENTURY CHINESE WORKERS                               MONTEREY PARK

                                                                                                                                 PHOTO BY MATT GUSH

                 

          I guess, since the 19th century there have been "Urban" or city "Chinatowns" in cities like San Francisco; but Monterey Park is the first one in the suburbs.  Back in the 1950's some of the Japanese from West L.A. went there to live.  And so did Chinese people from downtown.

         The lady told our boss how, in the 1920's; Chinese people in the Monterey Park area grew flowers and potatoes.  In 1926 the first "Potato Chips" in a sealed bag came from Monterey Park the lady said.  There are two crisscrossed vapor trails way up there in the high blue sky.   

         Since the 19th century most Japanese and Chinese in America have been poor I guess.  But, in the 1970's more "Middle Class" or even wealthy Chinese went to live in Monterey Park.  Mr. Steve told the lady he was "pretty sure" it was "Tongvan" Indians living over in that area.

                       

                                                                                "TONGVAN" VILLAGE   

PAINTING BY MARY LEIGHTON THOMSON                      

                    

                 Daisy says our boss told the Japanese-American lady about that Tongvan lady he met at the San Fernando Knights of Columbus hall.  I've mentioned before how 18th century Spanish called Tongvans "Gabrielinos."   The San Gabriel Mission is kind of near Monterey Park.

            The Tongvan lady in San Fernando told our boss how you can make shoes out of "Yucca" fibers.  She said many of her tribe used to get tattoo's.   I've mentioned a few times over the last three days how Mr. Steve's Nephew Rocky Jr. is a really talented "Tattoo Artist" in Texas.

            Oh!  Mentioning how Monterey Park is the first suburban Asian community makes me remember the big Car that guy came over here to our house in.  Daisy told me how it was called a "Suburban, and is made by "Chevrolet."  Libby's over there now walking around slowly. 

                             

            2014 CHEVROLET "SUBURBAN"                   

            

                  Daisy says one of our boss's customers told him how the name Suburban being used for a vehicle is the "longest in American history."  The first one, which came out in 1934; was one of those "Station Wagons" I've mentioned before.  Mr. Steve's father was only two in that year.

            The Parts Manager said black Chevy Suburban's have at times been used by the "Secret Service" Agents who protect the American Presidents.  Mr. once sold advertising to a man who used a white Suburban as a "Limousine."  Finley and his new girlfriend Fanny flew bye.

            Another thing Mr. Steve and the Japanese-American lady talked about was 1871, when a mob of white's massacred Chinese men here in Los Angeles.  Mr. Steve read two Chinese groups were fighting and a white Police Officer was killed breaking them up.  Dawn's barking.

               

 L.A. "CHINATOWN MASSACRE" (1871)          

        

           I guess, the mob "Lynched" fifteen Chinese men and killed a few more before the violence was over.  They also burned a lot of the different buildings in Chinatown too according to what Daisy heard our boss say.  I smell little Blinky over there standing next to Dawn and Rosie.           

        Daisy noticed how that Japanese lady seemed to know a lot about the history of the 1960's "Civil Rights" movement.  She and Mr. Steve talked about both having visited  Washington D.C.   Boy God, it would be so great if we could maybe hear Heathcliff's voice just one more time.         

        The lady told our boss about those "Cherry Blossom" trees, like the ones back in Japan or sent over to Washington D.C.  He showed her that miniature dead "Bonsai" tree he tried to grow a few years.   Oh!  Hearing Heathcliff's Hens cackling over there suddenly makes me sad.                      

           DR. MARY ODA                                           DR. SAKAGUCHI WITH WIFE  

   

           Daisy heard our boss tell that Nisei lady about Dr.'s Oda and Sakaguchi, and how in 1942 they had to go live in that "Internment" camp.  I've mentioned before how they were a brother    and sister.   Samson and Delilah flew over Libby's Corral and are now going toward the east.       

          Mr. Steve told his mom he still at times dreams of Dr. Oda and Dr. Sakaguchi, and in those dreams he makes sure to thank them for helping his family so much.  Who knows what might've happened if Dr. Sakaguchi had not been around to fix his broken bones.  Or repair big cuts.         

         In the late 1960's Mr. Steve's parents were told by Dr. Oda about this "new" Japanese food called "Sushi." She and her brother said it had recently been "popularized" in Los Angeles, but    was a "traditional" food eaten in Japan since early in the 19th century.   I smell Libby.                                                    

 "SUSHI"      

           

          Daisy heard our boss and his mom one time talking about how, unlike most other people; Mr. Steve's father dislikes "Cheese."   For him, and her too; the idea of eating raw Fish is "not    that appealing" she said.  And, from what Dais heard, that's mainly what Sushi partly is.              

        Mr. Steve, and his sister Susan; like Sushi.  Daisy says he doesn't eat it often, and when he does just prefers simple "Crab."  Unlike some people, and mainly because he's such a creature of habit; Mr. Steve hasn't tried all of the different things you can put in Sushi.  I smell Sage.              

        The Nisei lady said her family called Sushi "Nigiri."  She says her relatives told the family how the idea of Fish wrapped in cooked rice with seaweed around the outside came to Japan in    the 4th century A.D., either from China or Korea.  Seaweed doesn't sound that good to me.           

                               

     MISS BABETTE WITH HUSBAND DAVID                

          

        Miss Babette, who with Miss Susan, Miss Karin and our boss sells things for Mr. Julio to make at work; is a really good Cook.  One of the things she makes is called "Grape Leaves" and Daisy heard her and our boss talk about the times she made some for him.  Dawn's barking.         

         According to what Dais and Millie heard, Grape Leaves are different kinds of cooked meat mixed in with rice.  That's then wrapped with dark green grape leaves in the same way seaweed    is used for Sushi.  It's made into a long "Roll" and then sliced up into smaller pieces I guess.         

        When Miss Susan and Miss Babette lived together for a little while Miss Susan learned how to prepare Grape Leaves.  I've mentioned before how Miss Babette's family, in some things like food; is at times influenced by the "Middle East.  We have a lot of good Cooks in our family.                                          

JAPANESE "FEUDALSIM"      

        

          Over the last three days I've learned a few things about the history of "Japan," and how when Europe was in the Medieval "Dark Ages; Japan also had a "Hierarchical" or "Feudal"      society based on "Class."  I smell Andy guarding the burrow entrance.  I really like Andy!          

        Daisy heard the Nisei lady joke with our boss about how during the "Edo" period; 1603 through 1867; Sushi was the Japanese "fast food of convenience" for the "Chônin" class.  Those were all of the "merchants and craftsmen."  Seeing Andy right now makes me feel good.               

        The Japanese Chônin class was above the "Peasants," but below the "Samurai" Warrior class.  I wonder if the peasants were like those "Untouchable" Indian people called "Dalits."  I    just glanced up in time to see Benjamin the Cow Bird flying bye over the top of the Sheds.            

QUAIL COVEY TEACHING BABIES

      

         Oh!  Chosin is herding Charlie Company through the two gate slots to come back in from being out in the back desert.  The older Quail show and teach the new generation how to scratch and peck at the ground to possibly uncover some buried food in the dirt.  I smell Juniper.            

         I just thought of how Mr. Steve gave that Nisei lady some line drawings of different things for all the kids in her family to color.  They talked of how, in the late-1950's and early 1960's; a    lot of  American white people resisted giving the black people equal rights.  Dawn's barking.         

        I've learned over the last three days how it wasn't only down in the South where the white people didn't like blacks.  In almost every other section of the U.S. whites wanted blacks to have equal rights, but not to live near them.  I just thought of that guy Martin Luther King.                                                                     

   REVEREND MARTIN LUTHER KING (1929-1968) WITH FAMILY   

                   

           Hey Mr. Martin!  If you just happen to be up there mind-reading me we want to thank you for what you did for black people back in the 1960's.  And also thank you for help the poor.  Mr. Steve heard you admired that guy Mahatma Gandhi, even though he didn't like black people.  

           In the 1960's Mr. Martin, I guess more "Militant" Activists" rejected you and "Gandhi's" more "Passive-Aggressive" tactics for getting equal rights.  To them non-violence seemed weak, and Daisy saw this tv show that said you were even booed a few times.  I smell Creosote. 

         My Encyclopedia says Mr. Martin, you "modeled" your tactics on those used by Gandhi to get the British to give up power in "India."  It's too bad you weren't able to get people to like those "Untouchable" people.  I guess, Gandhi was a "South African" Lawyer early in life.

                    

                          AS LAWYER                      MAHATMA GANDHI                AS ACTIVIST                         

(1869-1948)     

       

             This picture shows you Mr. Mahatma as a Lawyer in South Africa, then a British Colony just like India.  Mr. Steve was once told that, "Ironically;" you didn't really like black people all that much.  Boy!  I would definitely wear a hat like the one you wore in South Africa.

             Before the economic recession one of our boss's customers was a man from the "Punjab" area of India named Mr. "Harry."  He's one of those "Sikh's" I've mentioned before, and taught Mr. Steve a lot about where he and his wife grew up in northern India.  Dawn's barking.

            Daisy and Millie saw one of that guy Anthony Bourdain's travel shows where he went to India.  He visited the Punjab region, near the border with "Pakistan;" and called it the religious "spiritual center" for Sikh's.  I can smell Blinky and Rosie standing right next to Dawn.  

             

                       ANTHONY BOURDAIN                                               INDIA   

   

                   Our boss and Mr. Rich down there in Sylmar have talked about Anthony Bourdain's tv show.  I've mentioned a few times over the last three days how Mr. Rich cooks meat slowly in an oven below the ground.  Then Stephanie sells it at that one weekly "Farmer's Market."

            Daisy heard that Parts Manager Mr. Harry wears a turban, and told Mr. Steve how the name "Sikh" means "student" or "disciple."  Our boss told Mr. Harry, until he sold it; he had a long curved sword like the ones used for centuries in India.  The four Pigeons flew bye. 

          Mr. Harry's last name is "Singh," which is "a common name" in India he says.  For a long time the name "Smith," our boss's friend Chris's last name; was like that here in America Daisy heard.  There are some beautiful puffy white clouds way up there hanging in the high sky.        

       

THE "GOLDEN" TEMPLE

("AMRITSAR,"/ "PUNJAB," INDIA)   

                                                                                                                                                    PHOTO BY CLAUDE RENAULT         

         

                  Mr. Harry told our boss the last name Singh can be interpreted to mean "Lion," and for centuries men from the Punjab have been "Warriors."  Daisy says Anthony Bourdain thought it was those Warriors who took "Indian" food all around the word.  Andy's sniffing the air.

            In history I guess, those of the "Sikhi" religion have been generally tolerant of the other religions; but also have a "warlike mentality in defending their territory" Mr. Harry said.  He told our boss the word "protect" is important to Sikhs.  Seeing Andy makes me feel good.

           On Mr. Anthony's tv show Cooks used Boat ores to stir food cooking in what has to be the most gigantic pans in history Dais says.  Hey Lord!  Sikh's make food for the poor because they believe in "Welfare for All," and "Everyone must Serve."   Those pans are so huge Dais says. 

  

THE GOLDEN TEMPLE POOL 

("HARMANDIR SAHIB") 

PHOTO BY IMB LIBRARY

    

         Mr. Harry said, like "Hindu's" in India get in the water of the "Ganges" River; Sikh's bathe in what they consider the "Sacred" waters of a big pool around their "Golden Temple."      Anthony Bourdain said the Golden Temple is like "Vatican City" in Rome.  I smell Sage.               

           Daisy heard Sikh men have been wearing turbans and long hair and beards since the late 17th century.  Mr. Harry said a Sikh leader was killed for his religion, and his son then told the    people they had to not be scared; but be "courageous."  Blackbeard and Anne just flew bye.         

           Hey Lord!  In order to almost "advertise their presence" and not hide Mr. Harry said, the religious leader said it was necessary to be themselves; "even if it meant being killed."  That sort of sounds like those early Christian "Martyrs."  I can smell the Joshua trees near Manny.             

                     

"7-ELEVEN" STORE          

                  

         Mr. Steve met an Indian couple with a "7-Eleven" Store.  The husband was Sikh, his wife Hindu; "decent people" who follow the Golden Rule he says.  7-Eleven stores, open from seven to eleven; began in "Irving," Texas; near to where Mr. Steve's brother Rock and his sons live.           

         After our boss got to know the family, he discussed with them the at times bloody history of the Sikhs, Hindus and Muslims relationships in India.  In the early 20th century there was a lot    of violent Sikh resistance to "British" rule.  Leo and Cleo flew over the Sheds going eastward.      

        I guess it was like the story of "Romeo and Juliet" in that one family because their families "disapproved" of their marriage they said.  So, they came over here to America and ended up      having two boys and two girls; who helped them at their store.  A Train whistled faintly.              

        

INDIA / PAKISTAN BORDER CEREMONY

    

          Boy!  I just love the hats Indian and Pakistani Soldiers are wearing in this picture.  Daisy and Millie saw a tv show about "Nuclear" weapons, which said in 2014 there are eight "known"  countries with them. And two are India and Pakistan, who don't like each other I guess.                

           Israel doesn't "acknowledge" having nuclear bombs, but everyone knows they do I guess. In 1947, two years after World War II and a year before Israel was created; India and Pakistan    became two separate countries "Independent" from England.  It was called "Partition."               

       Daisy heard  Anthony Bourdain say how "Pakistan" was just "arbitrarily carved out" of northwest India; but the Sikhs did not get a nation.  Huge migrations of people happened, as the Muslims went to "East Pakistan;" Hindus there "fled to India."   There was bloodshed.                                     

HIGH AFTERNOON SKY        

          

         According to Daisy, and what it says here in this Encyclopedia; during the "transition" period in 1947 there was a lot of fighting between Hindus and Muslims.  Many were killed and      to this day India and Pakistan still occasionally have wars.  Boy!  I love how clouds look.               

           Dais says Anthony Bourdain described the border between India and Pakistan as being a "potential flashpoint for conflict."  Mr. Harry told our boss how the Sikhs are kind of caught "in the middle."  Over the centuries Sikhs have fought both Hindus and Muslims too I guess.             

         Mr. Steve once almost bought this "Kirpan" curved knife like the ones Sikh men in India carry around.  On his tv show Mr. Anthony talked about the "street food" people eat back there in the Punjab.  Daisy says they sometimes eat bread dipped into sauces in little bowls.                  

                

    JAWAHARLAL NEHRU   INDIRA GANDHI                   INDIRA GANDHI WITH FAMILY      

(1889-1964)   (1917-1984)                                                                                                                

        

                 Daisy heard our boss and Mr. Harry the Parts Manager one time talk about this Indian lady named Indira Gandhi.  Her father Jawaharlal Nehru, a good friend of Mahatma Gandhi; was India's first "Prime Minister" after independence.   Blackbeard and Anne flew bye.

            My Encyclopedia says Indira Gandhi has been India's "only female Prime Minister."  In 1984, the year Mr. Steve flunked out of Law School; two Sikh bodyguards assassinated her from what it says here.  I can smell the clump of Joshua trees near Andy and Helen's burrow.

            I guess, Indira Gandhi died in "retaliation" for ordering some Indian troops to go in and capture the Golden Temple; which had been "fortified" by "militant" Sikhs.  They wanted their own country too.  Mr. Harry thinks that Sikhs are kind of like those European "Basques."  

           

MARGARET THATCHER / INDIRA GANDHI     

 PHOTO BY RAI RAGHU             

        

                 Oh!  It says here Indira Gandhi was called the "Iron Lady," just like Margaret Thatcher who I'm named after.  "Maggie" Thatcher, when England's Prime Minister; beat "Argentina" in that "Falklands" war.  Mr. Steve has a British Police helmet just like the one in the photo.  

            Indira Gandhi invaded and beat "East Pakistan," or what is now called "Bangladesh;" in a war.  Mr. Harry, who said there are about half a million Sikhs in the U.S.; said in 1984 Indira Gandhi had the Golden Temple "stormed" and taken from the "Separatists."  I smell Sage. 

           I guess, the Indian military killed a few thousand people in 1984, which was why Indira Gandhi was shot and killed.  But in revenge, thousands of Sikhs were "hunted and butchered" Mr. Harry told our boss; some even "burned alive."  I hear someone using a chain saw.   

                    

                    MARTIN LUTHER                                 MARTIN LUTHER KING

                             (1483-1546)                                                                              (1929-1968)

PAINTING BY SERGIO ANDRES SEGOVIA                                                                                                                                                                                         

 

          I'm still thinking of that guy Reverend Martin Luther King, who I've mentioned before was named after the 16th century German Priest.  The original Martin Luther helped the people break away from the Catholic Church in the "Protestant Reformation."  Sage smells good.                 

             Mr. Steve and the Japanese lady talked about August of 1966 when Martin Luther King went to the city of Chicago to challenge  or "campaign" against poverty.   Chicago's an example of what segregation was like in the North.  Leo and Cleo are singing out there in the desert.

             In Chicago back in 1966 Martin Luther King was hit with a rock thrown by a member of a white mob there to meet him.  The caption below this picture of that time says a lot of "bricks" and "bottles" were also thrown at him too.   His friends just tried to "shield" him I guess. 

              

    CHICAGO RALLY (1966)       

                  

                This picture shows some "demonstrating" white people in Chicago during Martin Luther King's 1966 visit, and I notice two are wearing Nazi armbands.  A sign says to do what Thomas Jefferson and Abraham Lincoln wanted, to send blacks back to Africa.  Daffy's quacking.  

           I've written about how many early Americans, like Abraham Lincoln for example; thought it impossible for the "Superior" whites too live "In Peace" with "Inferior" black people.  So, to them the obvious "Solution" was to send all blacks back to Africa.  Some still want to do that.

          Oh wow!  Martin Luther King said, "I have never seen, even in Mississippi and Alabama, mobs as hateful as what I saw in Chicago."  Daisy says our boss used to have this customer who's mom and dad saw those mobs screaming at Martin Luther King.  I really like Daffy's voice. 

      

                                       TULSA "RACE MASSACRE" (OKLAHOMA / 1921)  

           OKLAHOMA HISTORICAL SOCIETY                      

                   

           I've written about how it used to be white people who rioted and killed blacks but now it's the other way around.  In 1921 some whites destroyed this black "Oklahoma" town, killing three hundred people.  Dais says a tv show said they even bombed them from one of those Biplanes.  

               I guess, back in 1966 the Chicago crowd chanted at Martin Luther King, "Two, four, six, eight!  We don't want to integrate."  As I've mentioned before, to "Integrate" means, "To bring separate parts together to make one whole."   Some Crows are fighting out in the desert.  

         Mr. Steve explained to that one Japanese lady the difference between the terms "De Facto" and "De Jure."  I've mentioned before how de jure is Latin for "By Law," while de facto is how you would say "By Fact."  And those are the two types of racism in the history of America.

 

FLOCK OF BIRDS

                Over the last three days I've written about how, after the American Civil War and the end of Slavery; black people still didn't get their equal rights until a century later in the 1960's.  I just noticed a group of Birds up in the sky flying toward the north.  A small Lizard ran bye.

           Early in the 20th century, from about 1910 or four years before World War I; many black people moved from the South and went to cities like Chicago and New York City.  That was the first "Great Migration" I've written about.  The scent of Manzanita just came floating in.

          That second Great Migration from the South began in about 1940, or two years before the U.S. entered the Second World War.  But in all sections of the country, not only the South; were the two types of racism that created "Segregation" of the races.  A Train whistled faintly.

             

                                                           CHICAGO "SKYLINE"     

        

             It says here that during the Depression of the 1930's, before World War II; blacks from the South moved to Chicago hoping for better lives.  But, instead of that; they very often found those "Restrictive Covenants" and even "Fire Bombings."  I smell some older Juniper.   

            Oh!  Martin Luther King also said, "For those of us who came to Chicago from Georgia, Mississippi and Alabama, we found ourselves confronted by the hard realities of  a social system in many ways more resistant to change than the rural South."  I feel pretty good inside.

           When they were talking about Little Osaka Mr. Steve mentioned to the Japanese lady he was told there are a lot of homeless people now living in West L.A.   She knew and said she never "appreciated" her years growing up.  Like many people, she took things "For Granted."

                          

                                                           MR. MARK (KARMA)    

                             

            Mr. Steve told the lady about our local homeless man Mr. Mark, and his friend "Karma" the Yorkie.  Over this last Winter I guess Mr. Steve, besides giving them money; also got them a few pairs of socks and some hats too.  Frida and Diego just flew out into the back desert.     

            That Japanese lady says she sometimes "reminisced" about the years before World War II  when her family visited Little Tokyo on weekends.  She told Mr. Steve about the open produce vendors selling apples, oranges and Japanese pears called "Nashi."  I smell some Mesquite.

            I guess Japanese have been living in downtown L.A. since the 19th century, and in 1942 when those World War II roundups happened; there were about thirty thousand of them in Little Tokyo where Mr. Grant's family now lives.  Oh!  Cher just jumped up on top of Manny.

     

                                           FRANKLINA DELANO ROOSEVELT (1882-1945)

            

             I've mentioned how President Roosevelt issued "Executive Order 9066," which ordered the deportation of the Japanese; on February 19, 1942.   My Dictionary says "Incarcerate" is to, "imprison."  I've said a few times how Miss Harriet was born on February the 19th. 

            As I wrote the other day, Mr. Steve thinks that President Roosevelt held some of the same racist views about "Orientals" most white people had in the 1940's.  And, even though he was a Liberal Democrat; he at times was a little Anti-Semitic too.   I hear Dawn barking.

                 I guess in letters F.D.R. says openly that "Asians can't be trusted."  Hey Lord!  The Nazis didn't need to convince other groups to be Anti-Semitic because they hated Jews already.    Hitler just exploited the way some people felt but then "Took it to a new level" as they say. 

    

"ARMENIAN GENOCIDE" (WORLD WAR I)

             

            All of a sudden I just thought of that word "Genocide."  As I've said, Hitler was aware of what the "Ottoman" Turks did in World War I when they killed over a million "Armenians."  It seemed like most of the world didn't notice, or possibly even care; about what the Turks did.  

                Because any "Technology" can, and usually is used for good and bad; it's a lot easier now to be able to "Save or Kill" a greater number of people.  Modern medicine protects and extends life, but some current weapons can kill more people from longer range.  I love Dawns voice.

           Someday I want to hear that "Armenian" Hard Rock band from "Glendale" SYSTEM OF A DOWN.  Because some of the members have relatives who were killed or effected by that "Armenian" genocide they try to tell the public about it.  I smell new Spring Manzanita.     

                                       

                                                                          S.O.A.D.    

              

             One time Daisy heard our boss and Mr. Dave talking about that band S.O.A.D., and how their Drummer is really talented.  Well, it's back to learning and writing about the things having to do with the Second World War.   Thank You God for helping me not to think of Heathcliff.  

            That Japanese lady said during World War II African-Americans moved to L.A. for jobs.  They couldn't live in most areas, but one area they were allowed was Little Tokyo; renamed to be "Bronzeville."  The four Pigeons are flying over Libby's Corral and moving to the east. 

           Dais says the lady read of those two big "Migrations" of black people from the South, and how it was the second one where they came to California.  She knew about the 1940's and 1950's black "Jazz Clubs."  Mr. Steve told her about that one Punk restaurant the "Atomic Cafe."                                 

"CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY NORTHRIDGE"

          

         Our boss told the Japanese lady he studied with this girl named "Sheila" in the "Oviat" Library at C.S.U.N.  They studied the black migrations out of the South.  Mr. Steve thinks it's        funny when Bill Handel on the Radio jokes how C.S.U.N. is the "Harvard of the West."               

          I've mentioned a few times how the "First Great Migration" of blacks began about 1910, or four years before World War I.  And it was mainly to "Midwestern" cities like "Chicago" and "Detroit."   In that first big wave many people also moved up to the city of New York as well.       

           In that first migration people were hoping for jobs, and the "Second Great Migration" out here to the West Coast during the Second World War was no different.  Mr. Chris, who got Dais  and I's our blankets; says his family settled in what is now "Watts."  I like smelling Blinky.           

  

            CABELL "CAB" CALLOWAY                               MICHAEL JACKSON                                                        (1907-1994)                                                              (1953-2009)                                                         

            I've written about what's now called New York City's "Harlem Renaissance," a "revival" in African-American society; "intellectually and culturally."  That's what my Encyclopedia says. That guy Cab Calloway did a Michael Jackson type "Moonwalk" dance back in the 1930's.          

            It says here Cab Calloway "mixed" Jazz music with "Vaudeville" type entertainment.  He became famous during the Great Depression, as an Entertainer at the "Cotton Club" in Harlem.  He did "Scat" style singing in the same way KORN'S Singer did on "Freak On a Leash."             

       Mr. Steve told the Japanese lady he met this Japanese-American guy at C.S.U.N.'s Oviat Library.  During World War II his Uncle, who met Audie Murphy I guess; fought in Italy in that  "442nd Regiment" I've mentioned before.  His whole family were in an "Internment" Camp.       

                  

                                       "442ND REGIMENTAL COMBAT TEAM"      

                 

           This Encyclopedia says the "442nd" was a "Segregated" U.S. Army unit, sent to fight the Germans in Europe.  That man at C.S.U.N. said his Uncle, like Audie Murphy; "saw combat" in Italy before and after Benito Mussolini's Fascist government was "toppled" in mid-1943.

           I guess the "442nd Regimental Combat Team," to this day; is still the most "Decorated" unit in all of American military history!  The lady told Mr. Steve about "Senninbari" belts given to Soldiers for good luck.  I just thought of those "Tuskegee Airmen" of World War II.

          As I've mentioned, the Tuskegee Airmen were black American Air Force Pilots; or what they call "Aviators."   Like the 442nd, they were "Based" in Italy.  They proved that black men could be really good Pilots, even though most whites then didn't think they could do it.

  

                                                              "TUSKEGEE AIRMEN"

        

           Those Tuskegee Airmen were trained in Tuskegee, Alabama and, just like the Japanese-American "442nd;" were "subjected to racial prejudice so were "segregated" from white units.  I've mentioned how Samantha's boyfriend Rick is originally from Alabama.  I smell Sage.

           I just thought about how Sister Rita Joseph used to tell her class there are only "decent" or indecent" people, with no group "holding a monopoly" on  good or bad.   Two of the Pigeons just flew bye.   And one of them has what looks like a small twig sticking out of its mouth. 

               I guess, at first the Tuskegee Airmen were given "lesser" Planes to fly but; eventually got to fly those "P-51 Mustangs" I've written about.  "Escorting" Bombers, they were called the "Red Tails" because of the "paint scheme" on their Planes.  The Monarch Butterfly went bye. 

      

                                                      "RED TAIL" P-51 MUSTANGS  

                                                                  PAINTING BY COLIN PARKER      

             

            A good painting shows the "Red Tails" escorting B-17's, and I can see why they got their nickname.  A tv show Dais saw said many think the P-51 was the best "Fighter" Plane of  World War II; at least before the German Me-262 Jet showed up I guess.  Andy's sniffing the air.

           One of the model Airplanes destroyed during the 1971 "Sylmar" earthquake was a P-51. Someday I'll see that Me-262 model our boss has in the kitchen, which Daisy says is sitting next to this metal Chopper Motorcycle.  That Motorcycle is actually a "Coaster" cup container.    

                 Over the last three days I've learned so much about things that fly, and that has made me appreciate a lot more how miraculous "Flight" is.  Hey God!  Thank You for making it so some people can create things like Airplanes.  Oh!  And also thank You for inventing Birds too.

            

          KELLY JOHNSON (1910-1990)                       ADMIRAL YAMAMOTO KILLED                                                        

          

             I've written about that smart man Kelly Johnson who designed the P-51 and also the P-38 during World War II.  The P-38 shot down Admiral Yamamoto's Plane in 1943 and to me kind of looks like two different Airplanes combined together.  Donald and Daisy are quacking.

            This Encyclopedia says President Roosevelt's wife Eleanor helped the Tuskegee Airmen try to "overcome" the "common view" that Blacks were "incapable" of flying Planes.  She even flew with one of the Tuskegee Airmen.  And afterwards she said he was a very good Pilot.

           Now that I've learned about the Tuskegee Airmen, I just thought of someone else I should also mention.  His name is Booker T. Washington and he was a really smart man who was born a Slave just before the Civil War.  Later, he ran this thing called the "Tuskegee Institute."

                  

                                 BOOKER T. WASHINGTON (1856-1915) WITH FAMILY

     

                  According to my Encyclopedia, that man Booker T. Washington learned how to read and write; and eventually became "highly educated."  He was married three times because his first two wives died.  Mr. Steve has been told that all three of them were "good partners."

            Oh!  This an interesting quote by Booker T. Washington; "Associate yourself with people of good quality, for it is better to be alone than around bad company."  Boy, that really sounds so much like what the Nuns a St. Ferdinands said too.  The scent of Mesquite floated in.

            It says here Booker T. Washington was the first black to ever visit the White House, as a "guest" of a President; in his case Theodore Roosevelt.  It sure sounds like Booker T. Washington was a very smart person in a lot of areas.  I want to be like Booker T. Washington.

                  

                                       O.J. SIMPSON "BRONCO CHASE" (JUNE, 1994)

            

             Oh!  I still have more to write about O.J. Simpson.  I guess, a short time after his wife and her friend were killed; he was "Accused" of doing it so tried to escape.  Daisy saw a good tv show about O.J., which showed his now famous what they call in L.A. "Bronco Chase."

             Dais told me a "Bronco" is not just a Horse, or the name of that Football team in Denver.  It's also one of those "S.U.V." Cars made by "Ford," and in 1994 O.J. Simpson had a white one.  The Police tried to arrest him but his friend was helping him try to escape in that Bronco.

            Daisy says, the Police chased O.J. north on the #405 Freeway on that Sunday and it would just so happen that our boss was driving south on that Freeway.  As he entered that area they call the "Sepulveda Pass" he knew something was weird.  There were almost no other Cars!

  

 "SEPULVEDA PASS"         

                 

            I guess our boss was on his way over to that girl Debra's house in West Los Angeles, and normally would've taken the #10 Freeway west off of the 405.  But on that day he decided to get off on "Westwood" Boulevard.  He then took side streets to get to where Debra lived.

           When Mr. Steve got over to Debra's house she and her daughter Talia were watching the O.J. chase on tv.  They had planned to go out and eat dinner at this place near Debra's house but decided to just order Pizza instead.  A Train whistled faintly way out there in the desert.

          Dais told me our boss and Debra ended up watching the Bronco Chase on tv.  There were so many Police Cars, slowly following O.J. Simpson toward his house in "Brentwood."  Mr. Steve had a dream about his mom taking them to the Beach near where Debra lived in 1994.

            

                                                                                                 2014 "BRONCO"  

    

                 Daisy and Millie heard our boss talking with a Ford customer back there in Michigan.  He told our Chief Broncos, from 1965 through 1996; were built in a town called "Plant Wayne" in Michigan.   Some fluffy clouds are moving really slowly from south toward the north up there. 

                 That one Parts Manager in Michigan also told Mr. Steve the first Bronco's were smaller, or "Compact;" but were still considered "Off Road" vehicles.  That's why they've all got "Four Wheel Drive."  I've mentioned how S.U.V. is just short for "Sports Utility Vehicle."

                 When his customer said Bronco's had been "discontinued" after 1996 our boss joked that maybe it was because of the "infamous stigma" now attached to O.J. Simpson's 1994 chase.  Oh! I just noticed Libby over there in her Corral.  But I don't see any Flies so that's good.    

                        

                       BOARDWALK              "VENICE, CALIFORNIA          HARRY PERRY       

                                      

           Debra also lived near that place I've mentioned before called "Venice."  I wrote about that "Sikh" guy Harry Perry who wears all white and skates around while playing an electric guitar.  He has one of the best hats I've ever seen and I would want to wear one like that if I could.     

         Daisy says our Chief read about a Jewish female "Judge" named "Deborah."  Back in the time of the Old Testament she was the "Mother of Israel" in the "Book of Judges."  One time an older Jewish lady told Mr. Steve in Hebrew the name Deborah translates as being a "Bee."           

          Oh wow!  Just when I was thinking about Bee's one flew past.  Daisy and I are so afraid of Bugs that can sting you.  Daisy says a few years ago this big group of Bees went into our Garage and gathered on the wall above her area near the utility room.  Dawn's barking.

        

BEE       

         

            Even though Bees are small they're scary if you really look close at them.  They have those really big eyes and a mouth that looks like it could bite hard.  But the needle-like stingers in back of their bodies is what will hurt so bad if they get the chance to push it into you. 

           We have an electric garage door that goes up and down so, to get rid of the Bees; our boss closed the Garage door but left a small area open near the floor.  Luckily, little by little; all of the Bees ended up flying out on their own.  Dais says she was sure happy about that.

           That Jewish girl in the Old Testament named Deborah was called a "Judge" and Daisy's pretty sure back in those ancient days a Judge was might also be a "Prophet" or "Seer" like the Greek Sybil, Nostradamus or Edgar Casey.  All four of the Pigeons are flying bye.

        

                                                                                 DEBORAH (1107-1067 B.C.?)     

        

            The reason why I decided to add Deborah to my outline is because she sounds sort of like Mr. Steve's Debra.  And, Daisy says it would be a good idea to mention the old Deborah because she's another example of a capable female.  In 1985 Haim the Tour Guide mentioned her.

             My Encyclopedia calls Judge Deborah "intelligent, strong-willed and independent."  She must've been a good strategist in war our Chief says.  She's mentioned in a 1,000 B.C. poem, the "Song of Deborah;" which may be the oldest "Hebrew" poetry that older lady said.  

             I guess that girl Deborah most likely lived back in the 12th century B.C.; about when the "Bronze Age" was ending and the "Iron Age" was beginning.  She was the 4th Judge of the time when the people of ancient Israel wanted a King.  Hearing the Ducks makes me feel good.

         

        CHRISTIAN CHURCH                "MOUNT TABOR"               ARAB VILLAGE                  

         

             In 1985 the Bus Mr. Steve's Tour Group were on drove near "Mount Tabor," which was where that girl Deborah gathered her Soldiers and told them how to beat the "Canaanites."  In the battle the Canaanite King was killed.  Smelling the baby Cholla makes me feel good.

                 Daisy says our Chief, and that older Jewish lady; talked about how Mount Tabor is in the area called "Lower Galilee" on the "Jezreel" Plain.  On top is this 4th century A.D. style Church and near the bottom is an Arab village.  I smell Charlie Company out there in the desert.  

                 Hey Lord!  If we could time travel Dais and I would go back to see that time the Prophet Elijah and Moses came down to see You.  I guess some people think Your "Transfiguration" may have happened on Mount Tabor.  That was just before You had to be killed by the Romans.

                  

   "WOMBAT"

   

             Pigpen the Gopher stuck his head out of his hole but then went back down and that all of a sudden makes me think of this thing in Australia called a "Wombat."  Dais and Millie saw a tv show that said it's the largest "burrowing" animal in the whole world.  I smell Pigpen.

            This Encyclopedia says Wombats were named by "Aboriginal" people who were already in Australia way before the Europeans.  Oh!  Wombats carry babies in pouches like a Kangaroo, and some can weight up to sixty pounds!  Wow!  That's about as much as I also weigh. 

            Wombats, who are "Marsupials" or Mammals who carry babies in pouches; mainly come out at night and the momma's pouch opens toward the back so she can dig their burrow.  Their front teeth never stop growing.  Well, back to writing about that girl Judge Deborah.      

          

                                                                                    "BATTLE OF MOUNT TABOR"

                 The caption below a painting says Judge Deborah told her Soldiers to lure the Canaanite chariots onto soft ground where their wheels got stuck.  And that's exactly what happened Daisy says.  So, the Israelites really slaughtered them.  Ah!  A nice cool breeze just came in. 

             I guess, in North Africa during World War II that British General Montgomery recalled the story of Judge Deborah and had it in mind when when he fought Rommel's Afrika Korps in 1942.  He knew sand made it harder to "maneuver" heavy tanks.  Boy!  I just love fresh air!\

             Oh!  This is a good place to talk about some of the Second World War tanks which didn't do as good as other ones I've learned about over the last three days.  I forgot to write about this subject yesterday so can just do it now instead.  Samson and Delilah are flying to the east. 

   

             "CHAR 2C" TANK                             CHARLES DE GAULLE (1890-1970) 

    

                I wrote in book two how that guy Charles de Gaulle, one of the most important French leaders after World War II; fought in the First World War.  He came out of that war believing tanks would be very important in the future.  One giant French tank was the "Char 2C." 

           Daisy and Millie saw a tv show about tanks which described the Char 2C, first built 1921; as a "behemoth."  The man on the tv show also called it "colossal" in size, but it turned out to be too big I guess.  The four Pigeons flew over Libby's Corral and are going toward the north.

           One time our boss and Mr. Dave talked about those modern "Abrams" tanks which can not only go fast, but have really powerful canons too.   Mr. Steve says the Char 2C was about as heavy as an Abrams tank, or seventy tons.  Libby's scent just floated in to me over here.    

   

MID-AFTERNOON SKY

    

               Daisy told me the tv show said the French Government ended up using the Char 2C more for "Propaganda" as anything else.  In 1940, when the Germans totally beat France so quickly; they weren't even able to be "fully deployed."   Cher just went out there into the back desert.

            The tv show said, when the Germans used their tanks to "cut behind" and "flank" the Allies in 1940; it caught them by surprise.  The Allied leadership, and probably the Soldiers too; were "in shock" such a scary thing could even happen.  I've written about "Killing Zones." 

            I guess, in early June of 1940; there was "chaos and pandemonium" as all of the "fleeing" people "cluttered" the roads in trying to escape.  The Char 2C's were put on Trains but "traffic jams" prevented movement.  So they were destroyed rather than let the Germans get them. 

               

   "PANZER I"                                                        TIGER TANK II  

  (Sd.Kfz DAK)                                                           (Sd.Kfz 182")      

      

                   According to Dais the man on the tv show mentioned how in 1939 and 1940 the German light "Panzer I's" were important.  They went fast but their guns were too small and armor too thin.  Like all of those Planes, they were first tested out during that "Spanish Civil War." 

            My Encyclopedia says General Rommel's "Afrika Korps" used the Panzer I's down there in North Africa.  By then they were "obsolete" and "replaced" by a "series" of "Panzer" tanks.  I've learned about those big and powerful "Tiger" tanks which the Allied Soldiers feared.    

               Daisy and Millie heard our boss's father joke about how those Panzer I's, which were first "designed" in 1932 or year he was born; "sure  looked impressive in a parade formation."  They were originally intended to only be "Trainers."  A Train whistled faintly over there to my left.  

           

         "BOB SEMPLE" TANK             NEW ZEALAND            "SCHOFIELD" TANK                

      

           Our boss one time told Mr. Dave his father admired the "failed attempt" to make tanks in "New Zealand" at the beginning of World War II.  Because they had "few resources," they tried  to make "Lemonade out of Lemons."  A Motorcycle just zoomed bye out there in the field.            

          The tv show said in New Zealand a guy named Bob Semple fastened a tank "Frame" onto a tractor "Chassis."  It had a lot of guns, and Mr. Dave laughed when our boss told him his dad    jokingly called it the "B-17 Flying Fortress mentality."   Ah!  the air is so clear right now.              

          New Zealand is out in the "Pacific Ocean" near Australia.  They made a "hybrid" tank where, if you're on a road you "shift" from tracks and go faster on regular wheels; a "good idea" for those days our boss's dad thinks.  Now Abrams tanks go fast no matter what the terrain.                                       

 SOVIET TANK ("KV-2")    

                                                                                                                                                   ARTWORK BY SANTU BUBLIC

    

       Mr. Steve's father knows about the big "KV-2" World War II "Soviet" tank, which the Germans called "Das Montröss;" or "The Monster."  It was too slow but had thick armor.  It      had a powerful canon, and at times killed Germans by running over and crushing them.             

         Hitler attacked his ally Stalin in mid-1941. The tv show said the KV-2 was an "easy target" but "hard to destroy" because of its thick armor.  At times even a "disabled" and unable to move KV-2 was dangerous in "blocking" the Germans.  Many "died fighting fanatically" in them.        

        The tv show said in 1941 the German's "Operation Barbarosa" was "overrunning" the Soviet forces.  About three million Soviet Soldiers were killed.  A few times damaged and then      "stationary" KV-2's became "mini fortress coffin's."  Two Crows are yelling at each other.           

    

NAPOLÉON  BONAPARTE (0000-0000)          

PAINTINGS BY JACQUES LOUIS DAVID

 

            Boy!  Looking at the paintings of Napoleon makes me think about how during World War II Hitler made the exact same disastrous mistake in attacking Russia as he did.  That painting    shows him leading the surviving French Soldiers back to France.  Those Crows are really    

   

                    I've written about how, after he took over France when the French Revolution was over; Napoléon Bonaparte then started conquering other countries.  One was Egypt, which in the late 18th century was controlled by a weakening "Ottoman" Turkish Empire.  Dawn's barking. 

                                    

                         NAPOLÉON BONAPARTE                       ADMIRAL HORACIO NELSON

           (1769-1821)                                                           (1758-1805)           

                          PAINTING BY  JACQUES LOUIS DAVID                                                                           PAINTING BY LEMUEL FRANCIS ABBOTT                         

                                        

            After beating those "Mameluke" Horsemen in Egypt, Napoléon then got trapped in Egypt when his Navy was defeated in 1798 by that guy Admiral Nelson; at the "Battle of the Nile."  The more I see pictures from those days the more I like the hats.  And I really like the medals too.

           Daisy heard how Mr. Hussein from Egypt called that 1798 naval engagement the "Battle of Aboukir Bay."  The "Royal Navy" sank most of the French Ships in that Harbor northeast of "Alexandria," but Admiral Nelson himself was wounded I guess.  I smell Blinky over there.  

           Napoléon's army was then stuck in the "Middle East," so he marched up into the Israel area; or "Levant."  In 1799 he defeated an Ottoman army in what this Encyclopedia calls a big "massacre."  But eventually Napoléon was "forced to abandon" his "Egyptian Campaign."  

                                           TOM HANKS AND WIFE           DONALD RUMSFELD                    JACK WHITE

  

           Dais says our boss told his mom one time how, for most of his life; the only famous person he knew born on his birthday was O.J. Simpson.  But now he knows of a few more with July the  9th as a birthday.   Boy!  I sure wish I would suddenly hear Heathcliff's voice one more time.        

            According to what Dais heard, that Actor Tom Hanks, Politician Donald Rumsfeld; and Musician Jack White were born on July 9th.  Mr. Steve says all three seem to be basically decent people; unlike O.J. Simpson who faked being a nice guy when it turned out he really wasn't.

           Mr. Steve likes Jack White's band the WHITE STRIPES, which is kind of unique because of having only two members.  Daisy says Jack White plays guitar and does most of the singing, his wife "Meg" plays the drums.  Mr. Steve has known girls named "Megan" over the years.

            

                                                              WHITE STRIPES      

           

           The WHIT SRIPES are from "Detroit," like Ted Nugent, Iggy Popp, MC5, Kid Rock; and Bob Seeger.  The EAGLE'S Don Henley, and this girl named Suzy Quatro came from Detroit.  So are the Singers Aretha Franklin, Smokey Robinson, Wilson Picket and the TEMPTATIONS.

          Daisy heard our boss talking with Samantha one time about that WHITE STRIPES song "Seven Nation Army" on it.  Mr. Steve plays along to it on drums sometimes I guess.  I heard it only that one time on our boss's Boombox, but sure do hope to someday hear it again.

          Seven Nation Army has become one of those "Anthems" I've written about, and is even now used by Stadium Organists at sporting events.  Daisy told me how the crowd sometimes sing along to it.  Boy!  All of sudden it's giving  me energy right now hearing it in my head. 

  

  MEG WHITE   

       

              Daisy heard Mr. Dave say how, even though that girl Meg White isn't "flashy" in her playing; she does "what her husband needs."  She "provides a platform" or "back beat as the foundation for what he then overlays on top."  Her "solid bottom" is the "Rhythm Section."    

             I guess it was Samantha who found out Jack White was born on July the 9th.  And Daisy says, she read he also thinks there's importance in the number "3."  The WHITE STRIPES color scheme is red, white and black and there is only guitar, drums and singing on their songs.

             A Subaru Parts Manager in Michigan told our boss one company the WHITE STRIPES worked for was called "Third Man Records."  He said he heard Jack White one time built this very unusual three string guitar.  All four of the Pigeons just flew over the Sheds right now.  

             

BOB DYLAN

    

           Hey God!   As you know, the Parts Manager at that Subaru dealership told Mr. Steve about how he read this quote by Jack White; "I have three fathers, my biological father, God and Bob Dylan."  I can really smell the Twins, as their scents just came in on a breeze from the desert.

         Our boss told Mr. Dave he likes the WHITE STRIPES "uncomplicated" songs, which kind of  remind him of the "Garage" bands from High School.  Jack White just showed his wife what to do and then added things on top of her beats.  Rudy sauntered bye in front of the Sheds.

        Mr. Steve thinks that girl Meg White is a good example of how you don't always have to be a "Virtuoso" to make good songs.  In book two yesterday I wrote about that band SPARKS, who I guess write simple but catchy and melodic music.  Donald and Daisy are quacking over there.  

                             

                                 JOHN / YOKO                                                    PAUL / LINDA

   

           "It's possible" our Chief told Mr. Dave, Jack White could just feel more comfortable with his wife around.  The BEATLES John Lennon and Paul McCartney wanted their wives to be up there on the stage even though they weren't professional Musicians.  They simply felt better.

           Over the years Mr. Steve has met men who preferred their wives being around.  Yesterday in book two I mentioned that Basketball Lakers Announcer "Chick" Hearn.  Mr. Steve doesn't "know for sure," but "has a feeling" he might've been like that too with his wife "Marge."      

           Daisy heard our boss tell Mr. Dave he would enjoy "jamming" with Jack White.  He can tell Jack White also likes many types of music.  Theodora just used the right vertical gate slot to run out into the back field behind the Sheds, and now disappeared into the eastern desert.

           

               HANK WILLIAMS         CAPTAIN BEEFHEART              DICK DALE                           

        

             Mr. Steve thinks, from what few WHITE STRIPES songs he's heard; Jack White likes everything from Hank Williams' Country music to Dick Dale's Surf Rock songs.  That Subaru Parts Manager says he once "covered" three Captain Beefheart songs.  Dawn's barking.  

             As I mentioned earlier, Mr. Steve doesn't believe just because you share a birthday with someone you're going to be like them.  But, from what he's heard about Jack White; he does kind of like some of the same things.  Happy-sounding Robins are now chattering faintly.

            I just thought about how some Musicians, like the EAGLES' Joe Walsh and Neil Young; prefer old "Analog" to new "Digital."  The Subaru customer said Jack White feels the same way, and also likes older guitars and equipment too.  Ah!  I can smell little Blinky over there.

                   

                       IGGY AND THE STOOGES                                                MC5

                   

             Mr. Rich knows about how, in the late 1960's; IGGY AND THE STOOGES and the MC5 were kind of like the beginnings of Punk.  Daisy heard our boss say that he still has an old vinyl record by the MC5.  The Dragonfly just zoomed bye, and I heard it coming from far away.

            "MC" stands for "Motor City" Dais says.  That's kind of like how the name "Motown" is one of those abbreviations for "Motor Town."  The Subaru Parts Manager one time told him the Rap Singer Eminem" is from Detroit.  I smell, and now see; Libby over there in her Corral.

            That guy Eminem was born on October the 17th just like Mr. Steve's brother Rock back in Texas.  I just thought of how, on that really hot Summer day; Mr. Steve watched the Eminem movie which showed how really freezing cold it can get in Detroit.  Dawn's now barking.  

                                     

THE TWINS    

          

           Ah!  Taking in a deep breath of fresh air I smell the Twins out there in our back half acre.  I sure do wish Roosters, and Dogs; could live as long a Joshua tree.  But God!  I know that's kind of a selfish thing for me to hope for, and I know for sure that Daisy would think that too.               

        I just thought of that late 1980's tv show called "The Wonder Years."  Our Chief never watches any current "Situation Comedies;" or "Sit Coms." But, as I've written about over the      last three days; he "Identified" with living in the "Suburbs" in 1968 at the age of thirteen.            

          Mr. Steve saw things in episodes of The Wonder Years that resembled or portrayed a lot of things in he and his brothers and sisters lives.  And years later, when Samantha told him how the kid who played "Kevin" was also born on July 9th; it seemed a coincidence.   I smell Sage.                                                                                                                      "THE WONDER YEARS"                                                                                                      

          In 1968, just like Kevin on The Wonder Years; our Chief also dealt with things like trying to "Fit In," playing sports; and "Peer group Pressure."   I just thought of that one episode where Kevin tried to impress that girl "Winnie" by playing Football.  A Train whistled faintly.                

        Mr. Steve says, at age thirteen you pretend to not be interested in the "opposite" sex; but in reality try to "Catch their Attention" as they say.  I wrote about the time Mr. Steve cut his mouth "Showing Off" for that girl "Sherrie" a St. Ferdinand.  I smell Theodora's Creosote bush.            

         Dais says one time our boss told Mr. Rick he sometimes has bad dreams where he breaks his arm just like he did that time out there on the St. Ferdinand's Playground.  The orange Monarch Butterfly just fluttered bye, and is now going out into the back field.  I like Creosote's smell.         

     

KEVIN / WINNIE 

                                                                                                                                                                        I want to see that Wonder Years episode where Kevin, to impress that girl Winnie; begs his older brother to throw him a "Pass" in Football.  Of course, he drops the ball right in front of Winnie; and it was so embarrassing.  And not only that, his older brother was mad at him too.

             Daisy says a few years ago our boss bought and sold a few things to this man also born in 1955.  He was surprised when Mr. Steve told him about The Wonder Years and how he and that Actor were born on July the 9th.  It turns out Dais heard, his sister was born on that date too.

            Mr. Steve and that man talked about how The Wonder Years "Theme" song was "With a Little Help From My Friends."  It was written by the BEATLES, but the version on the tv show was sung by that guy Joe Cocker.  I can smell Blinky over there standing right next to Dawn. 

                                                                                                                              JOE COCKER                                                   

      

             Even though the man also born in 1955 kind of chuckled when Mr. Steve mentioned Joe Cocker, they both admire him.  Joe Cocker wasn't good good looking, his voice "rough;"  and he "contorted" all over the place when he sang.  Blinky has such a good and appealing scent.

            Dais says one time our boss and Mr. Dave talked about how that Comedian John Belushi imitated Joe Cocker.  But, I guess Joe Cocker was a "Good Sport;" and even made fun of himself our boss heard.  Mr. Steve thinks he put a lot of "passion and emotion" into his singing.

            In his subjective opinion, Joe Cocker's version of the BEATLES song was better than the original Mr. Steve says.  In fact, mixing Rock, Soul and Blues; he thinks Joe Cocker did better versions of other people's songs.  Mr. Dave says he reminds him of Ray Charles who's blind.                                                                                             JIMI HENDRIX                                        CANNED HEAT

        PHOTO BY HENRY DILTZ                                                                                                                                                                         

              

           Daisy heard our boss and Mr. Dave talk about how Joe Cocker's band played at that now famous "Woodstock" concert back in 1969.  CANNED HEAT also played at that concert.  Frida and Diego are right now flying over Libby's Corral, and are moving toward the northeast.

           Boy!  I'm so looking forward to someday seeing that big 11 x 14 print of Jimi Hendrix at Woodstock, the one hanging in Mr. Steve's bedroom.  I've mentioned how Mr. Oimette "Matted and Framed" it, and how it was given to our boss by Mr. Rich.  Leo and Cleo just flew bye. 

           Mr. Dave was told, as one of those "Session" Musicians I've written about; Jimmy Page of LED ZEPPELIN played guitar on With a Little Help From My Friends.  Joe Cocker did a good version of a song called " The Letter" Mr. Steve thinks.  Andy's over there sniffing the air.

   

                    BUFFALO "BILLS"            O.J. SIMPSON            WITH WIFE "NICOLE"                 

 

            All of a sudden I just thought about "Astrology."  O.J. Simpson's a bad person but not all people born on July the 9th are exactly alike.  Mr. Steve doesn't believe in Astrology but likes to see what has happened, and who was born on certain dates; in the Newspaper.  I smell Sage.

            Our boss has that one "Almanac" book Samantha and his parents bought for him at the "Northridge Fashion Center" mall in his office.  I've mentioned how, on people's birthdays; he reads things from it to them.  He shows them how good and bad people are born on any date.    

            I just thought of how that girl Debra, and another girl before that; paid to do what they call a "Chart" on whether they were "Compatible" with our boss.  Mr. Steve told Miss Susan at work, "not surprisingly; they were "good matches."  Daisy and I wish we knew the future. 

                                        

"CHARLIE COMPANY"    

          

              Ah!  I just noticed Charlie Company over there with their new babies.  I've mentioned how I have good "Peripheral" vision.  Daisy used to have it too but now jokes she can barely see straight ahead.  Out of the "corner of my eye" I'll often catch even a slight movement.  

              I just thought about that tv show ""The Wonder Years" again.  When she's watched that show Dais says she's wondered if that kid Kevin was like our boss at the age of thirteen.  If we can ever time travel we would definitely go back to 1968 just to see our boss's family.

            Mr. Steve told Mr. Ralph one time how as a kid he was kind of "Geeky," and was at times "Self-Conscious" about being perceived as being "Goofy;" which he sometimes was.   In the tv show Kevin's best friend was "Paul."   Mr. Steve thinks he sort of resembled Paul at that age.

        

"THE WONDER YEARS" 

           

             I've mentioned before how to our boss The Wonder Years symbolizes "Nostalgia" for a time in his life which is gone forever.   One episode involves the "Theme" is "Repentance," when Kevin and Paul did stupid things and fight.  Aha!  I now see the Lizard I've been smelling.

            Mr. Steve, like that kid Paul and other kids from the late 1960's;" wore "Black-Rimmed" glasses.  In the episode finally Kevin and Paul each admitted they were wrong and "Made Up." The Lizard is standing on the wall over there near the sliding glass door to the dining room.  

            The Nuns at Saint Ferdinand's taught our boss everyone has the capacity for good and bad, no matter on what date you were born on.  It's how a person resists wrong that matters they said.  And Sister Rita Joseph also told them; "A decent person repents after doing wrong."  

         

                       PAUL               MARILYN MANSON               

                

             Daisy heard our boss tell Mr. Mark he thought it was funny when this man on the Radio joked that Paul from The Wonder Years had grown up to be the Singer Marilyn Manson.  Daisy says Mr. Steve's dad wore black-rimmed glasses in the 1960's.  The Lizard's doing pushups.  

             Hey!  I just thought of how, maybe it would be possible for there to be one of those scary "Shock Rock" bands made up of howling Dogs.  If there was I would definitely want to be in it.  I'd be willing to wear a costume and makeup but I'm not sure if Dais would agree to that.

            Oh wow!  One of those amazing Helicopters just flew bye, going westward over top of the house.  I knew I heard it coming and obviously so did Dawn and Blinky because they're both now over there barking at it.  The Lizard ran down the wall and ducked behind the water bucket.

                                                                        

                                                             MR. STEVE (AGE 13)  

      

                 Daisy says our boss and Mr. Rick one time talked about playing Little League Baseball at S.I.B.L.  Mr. Steve has a picture from the late 1960's when he was on the "Cardinals," who wore red just like the St. Louis Cardinals.  In that photo he's wearing those black-rimmed glasses.

            Our boss told Mr. Rick he's "so used to" living alone he could never have a "Roommate," But Daisy says, even though I only go into the house on some Saturday mornings; we're kind of like Mr. Steve's roommates.   I just noticed two long vapor trails crisscrossed up in the sky.  

           Mr. Steve knows of a few cases where friends ended up disliking each other after being roommates. Misplacing things is not something he does often, and if something wasn't where it's supposed to be he'd get upset.  Daisy heard Miss Susan at work use the phrase  “Pet Peeves.” 

                                    

      MAX AND 99           

      

        Ah!  I just now noticed Max and 99 dancing and playing out there in the desert behind the Sheds.  You can really tell how, besides being a couple for having babies; they're best friends who work together well.   They're a really good-working team just like Mr. Steve's parents are.            

         Dais noticed, like some other Birds; when a female Hummingbird has babies and sits on the eggs her color gets duller as "Camouflage" against things that would want to eat them.  She also  becomes more aggressive in defending the nest.  Max is always aggressive no matter what.            

         I guess, girl Hummingbirds usually have two babies but sometimes three; and it takes two or three weeks for the eggs to "Hatch."  The group of eggs is called a "Clutch," and Miss Susan says the eggs "resemble little coffee beans."  Boy!  Seeing Max and 99 makes me feel good.                                                            HUMMINGBIRD NEST WITH BABIES           

                                            

          According to what Dais heard Miss Susan say, a mother Hummingbird has to eat her own "body weight" in food every day during the period sitting on her babies.   Hummingbirds often    use Spider web fibers to make their small nests stronger.  That's so smart of them I think.             

        Oh!  Max just streaked straight up into the sky, and if I know him will now try to show off for 99 by zooming straight back down.  Yup!  He stalled a moment, and is now coming down and will veer off before he hits the ground.  Wow!  It would be so amazing to be able to do that.           

        Seeing Max and 99 makes me think about of that tv show "Get Smart," which is where our boss got their names from.  I've mentioned how our boss thinks it was one of the best "Satirical" comedy shows.  He's wondered what someone like Jonathon Swift would have thought of it.                      

"GET SMART"       

           

               Daisy told me how, in Get Smart Agent 99 wans to be a couple romantically with Maxwell Smart but he doesn't notice her that way.  She even "Covers for Him," and solves problems while making it look like Max did it; so he would get all of the credit.  A Train whistled faintly.  

          Agent 99 was much smarter than her Spy partner Max.  Our boss told Mr. Rick his parents are happy when they see the other one happy or,  "Two halves make one whole" as they say.  I'm hearing Dawn barking over there, and can also smell Blinky and Rosie standing next to him. 

          Ah!  Bonnie the Bird startled me right now by suddenly flying in and landing up there in their nest near the Patio roof.  Now the baby Birds, knowing they're going to eat; are starting to chirp for some food.  I wonder if Bonnie and Clyde have noticed Heathcliff being gone?    

              

 CLYDE BARROW / BONNIE PARKER       

         

            Over the last three days I've learned about the real Bonnie and Clyde, who lived back in the 1930's; during the time of the "Great Depression."  Like many people then they were poor, but unlike most other people robbed and stole to get money.  Frida and Diego just flew bye.

           A picture shows Clyde holding Bonnie, and you can just tell they like each other by how they look.   Wow!  It says here Clyde cut of two of his own toes on purpose in order to get out of a "Work Detail" at a Prison over in Texas.  Boy!  That must've really hurt to have done that! 

          Mr. Steve thinks, like with 99 on the tv show; the real Bonnie was smarter than her "male counterpart."  I've mentioned how Bonnie and Clyde were from "Dallas," near where our boss's brother Rock lives with Rocky Jr. and Jacob.  Bonnie's throwing up food from her stomach.  

           

 ALLMAN BROTHERS BAND         

            

            Mr. Dave, who was in the Navy; told our boss he read Greg Allman shot his own foot and got himself "disqualified" from being drafted during the Vietnam War.  I've mentioned before how the ALLMANBROTHERS had two Drummers.  Andy's sniffing the air over there.      

            Daisy says one time Miss Susan at work told our boss how her parents, even though they were "just small children" during the 1930's; "felt and absorbed" their parents  "anxiety and stress."  This despite "attempts to spare or shield" them.   Mr. Steve's parents did the same.

           When they were kids at St. Ferdinand's Mr. Steve's friend Paul, who eventually became a Police Officer; read about all of the different 1930's "Gangsters" like Bonnie and Clyde.  Daisy and Millie saw a good tv show about that subject.  Blackbeard and Anne are flying bye.      

                                                  

                                   "MACHINE GUN" KELLY (1895-1954) WITH WIFE   

            

            Another 1930's Gangster, whose wife seemed smarter than he was; was "Machine Gun" Kelly.  Daisy says the man on the tv show said it was his wife who first bought him one of those "Thompson" Machine Guns I've written about.  This was to create an "Image" for him. 

            I guess, many who got to know Machine Gun Kelly said his "Tough Guy" image didn't exactly "Fit" him, and he seemed more like a "Banker."  Mr. Steve joked about his wife liking the "better things in life."  Samson and Delilah are flying to the east over Libby's Corral  

           Daisy told me it was Machine Gun Kelly's wife who convinced him to do "Kidnapping for Ransom," which eventually got him "Put in Prison."  The tv show said for a time he was at that "Alcatraz" jail that I've mentioned before.  Libby's now looking over here in this direction.

                                 

                 "BABY FACE" NELSON (1908-1934)                  "PRETTY BOY" FLOYD (1904-1934)

         

           Daisy noticed how, some 1930's Depression era Gangsters have "catchy" nicknames.  Two Bank Robbers killed by Police in 1934 were "Baby Face" Nelson, and "Pretty Boy" Floyd.  Now Clyde just flew back in and is now near the nest where Bonnie's throwing up some food.

           Over the years Mr. Steve has known couples, like Bonnie and Clyde the Gangsters; where the female is the "Brains" while the guy is the "Brawn" as they say.  Those baby Birds up there are really chirping loud now.   I smell the baby Cholla cactus growing over there in the dirt.

          The tv show said Bonnie Parker was one of those "Honor" Students in Elementary School, and Mr. Steve thinks she was a pretty good Poet.  Daisy says in one poem she correctly predicted that she and Clyde would eventually be killed.  Mr. Steve's mom was an Honor Student too.

       

CLYDE BARROW   

             

            I'm looking at that picture of Clyde holding a his "B.A.R." gun, like the ones Mr. Steve's father used during the Korean War.  The tv show said it was Bonnie who posed him for pictures and helped create their "Robin Hood" image.   The B.A.R was modern technology then.   

           Mr. Steve one time told his mom how Bonnie Parker had really good handwriting.  It kind of looked like her nice handwriting in some ways he said.  From 1932 through 1935; the Bonnie and Clyde gang killed nine people.  Mr. Steve's dad was born in 1932, his mom in 1935.   

          Most of the time Bonnie and Clyde were what they call "On the Run," their lives not the "Glorious" one depicted in a 1960's movie about them.  Dais says Paul McCartney, after his time in the BEATLES; made a good song called "Band on the Run."  Libby whinnied over there. 

                                         

"BONNIE AND CLYDE" (1967)     

        

           Daisy heard our boss tell Mr. Ralph he and his friend John snuck into see the movie about Bonnie and Clyde, which would've made their parents mad had they known about it.  Cher just used the right vertical gate slot to go out into the desert behind the Sheds.  I smell Juniper.

           I guess the Catholic "Tidings" Newspaper "Rated" that Bonnie and Clyde movie as being "Condemned."  It's obvious the real 1930's Bonnie and Clyde were "loyal" to each other Daisy thinks.  And Clyde protected Bonnie the way Underdog protects that girl Dog "Polly."   

          In that Bonnie and Clyde movie it almost seemed at times as if they were just out having a lot of fun.  But, in real life; both were always worried and in physical pain.  Daisy heard our boss tell Mr. Ralph Bonnie how had a bad burn on her leg from "Battery Acid" spilling on her.

   

BONNIE AND CLYDE 

    

             Oh!  Two pictures shows the real Bonnie and Clyde right next to the Actors who played them in the movie.  In both images the couples are just "Goofing Around," with Bonnie jokingly pointing a shotgun at Clyde.  As I've mentioned before, Mr. Steve has a good shotgun.

             The caption below the pictures of Bonnie and Clyde says the Actor who played Clyde in the movie was "over" six feet tall, the Actress who played Bonnie five foot seven.  But, in real life Clyde was five foot five; she only five feet tall.  Mr. Steve's sister Susan is also "five seven."  

               Aha!  Rudy's standing near Jack, his head cocked to the side with what looks to me kind of like a puzzled look on his face.  I'll bet he's wondering why I haven't been chasing him around the way I'll probably go back to doing after today.  I had a feeling someone was watching me.  

     

BONNIE AND CLYDE KILLED   

         

           Dais says the tv show talked about how, on May the 23rd of 1934; Bonnie and Clyde were "Ambushed" and killed by Police over there in Louisiana.  Wow!  This picture shows Bonnie's "bullet-riddled" body in the front passenger seat afterwards.  Crows are cawing faintly.

          Oh!  I just remembered how Mr. Steve's brother Sam was born on May 23.  Daisy heard Mr. Ralph say he read Bonnie was twenty three when killed, he twenty five.  And she ended up with twenty three "Rounds" in her, while his body ended up having twenty five holes in it.

           Wow!  That is a coincidence alright!  It says here Bonnie and Clyde were "shot to pieces," and both died in a what they call a "hail of bullets."  Mr. Ralph told our boss he's heard Sonny Corleone's death scene was inspired by Bonnie and Clyde death scene from the 1967 movie.     

                         

"HELLS ANGELS"

          

            Daisy says our boss told Mr. Ralph how, later in life he admitted to his parents that as a kid he saw movies he wasn't supposed to see.  He and friends snuck in to see some of the 1960's movies about that Motorcycle Gang the "Hell's Angels."  I smell little Blinky over there.  

           One time Dais and Millie heard our boss talking to Mr. Frank, who knows Cars; and has read about the "Getaway" Car Bonnie and Clyde were killed in.  It says here it was a 1932 Ford "B-400 convertible sedan."  Boy!  Smelling Blinky right now kind of makes me feel good.

           Mr. Frank said, in 1932 when Ford came out with a "more powerful engine" in a Car the public could get; Clyde "just stole those Cars."  He even wrote a letter to Ford company telling them how good their "single block cast V-8" engine was Mr. Frank read.  I can smell Rosie.   

                                    

               "THOMPSON" MACHINE GUN                       1932 FORD "V8"   

                 

              I just thought of how, in his office on one of the bookshelves; our boss has a miniature toy "Thompson" Machine Gun.  That was the gun Gangsters used in the 1920's and 1930's, like to commit the "Saint Valentine's Day Massacre" for instance.  Leo and Cleo flew bye.

              One of those "Colorized" pictures shows Clyde Barrow kneeling in front of his Car, his guns all around him.  I guess for a while, he had better weaponry than even the Police; and a way more powerful Car to simply "Outrun" them too if necessary.  Andy's now looking at me.  

              Daisy says that tv show said Bonnie and Clyde, just like Jesse James back in the 1970's after the Civil War; "took advantage of" or exploited the fact that many people disliked things like "Banks."  Daisy told me about the good movie based on that old story of "Robin Hood."        

                               

"BEVERLY HILLBILLIES" (MISS "JANE / MR. "DRYSDALE)        

               

           I just thought of that tv show the "Beverly Hillbillies," whose "Theme" Mr. Ralph said is a "Fish out of Water."  Mr. Steve says the Actor who played "Mr. Drysdale" the greedy Banker was funny.  Mr. Steve's mom liked how his Secretary "Miss Jane" tried to be his "Conscience."  

          Most real Bankers aren't greedy our boss says, but on the tv show Mr. Drysdale "Worships Money."  Mr. Ralph said he was "avaricious," which my Dictionary says is just another word for being too greedy.   Many people see Bankers as being "Stereotypically" focused on money. 

           Daisy told me it's so funny how that guy Mr. Drysdale makes the Clampett's think he's just an unselfish person who is actually "Doing them a Favor" in "Guarding" their money.  Up in the sky a flock of Birds went bye.  They looked like Pigeons from down here on the Patio.                                                

     "BEVERLY HILLBILLIES"         

            

            I've mentioned before those what they call "Double Entendres," which are "statements which can be interpreted or understood in more than one way."  Daisy says in the tv show the Clampett's were from the town of "Bug Tussle" in "Tennessee."  A Train whistled faintly.

           A lady told our boss there really is the town of "Bug Tussle," but it's in "Kentucky;" not Tennessee.   I've written how the Actress who played "Granny" was born on Mr. Steve's brother Rock's birthday, Max Baer Jr. who was "Jethro" shares a birthday with his Niece Stephanie.   

           Mr. Drysdale's first name is "Milburn," Miss Jane's full name "Jane Hathaway."  She, often unsuccessfully; tried to "Put a Reign On" her boss's excessive behavior when it came to money.  Daisy says our boss thought she was really smart person; and a "good Assistant."     

                                                                                                                          "MESQUITE"            

                     

            Ah!  I remember another time when I was thinking about the Beverly Hillbillies and also smelling Mesquite too.  A Motorcycle, which I heard coming from far away; just zoomed bye out there on Primavera Road.  The dust it lifted is now floating up into the air over the desert.

            I remember that other time when we smelled Mesquite as our boss and Mr. Cliff talked about guns.   I've mentioned a few times how Mr. Cliff fought in the "Vietnam" war, and was wounded back in 1968.  I can tell how Mr. Cliff also liked that show the Beverly Hillbillies.

          Mr. Cliff knew about the history of those "Browning Automatic Rifles" Clyde Barrow and Mr. Steve's father liked.  He said in his war some of the Soldiers, in teams of two or three; used a machine gun called a "M60."  Back in the late 1950's it was meant to replace the B.A.R.        

         

                      "MG 42" (WORLD WAR II)                             "M60" (VIETNAM WAR)  

         

               Two pictures in this one Encyclopedia show the difference between the M60 and German MG42 used in the Second World War.  I've mentioned before how the Allied Soldiers were afraid of the MG42 and called it "Hitler's Buzzsaw."  That was because of the scary sound it made.

           Near the fireplace in the living room there are helmets just like the ones shown in the two pictures.  It says here the M60, which Mr. Cliff said is "still being used;" is an "air-cooled" and "belt-fed" automatic machine gun.  Fannie and Freddie, talking to each other; just flew bye.

          Mr. Cliff jokingly called the M60 a "Pig," because it "ate a lot of ammo fast."  Wow!  The M60's can fire "up to six hundred rounds per minute."  They're heavy but, "at close range," you can fire them from your shoulder Mr. Cliff said, but that's only as an "absolute last resort."    

   

"WAR HEROES" MEMORIAL ("JARALES, NEW MEXICO)

PHOTO BY STEVE CÓRDOVA      

        

                Our boss, as he filled the water basin below the Mulberry tree up there in the front yard one morning; told Mr. Cliff about his father's "War Memorial" in New Mexico.   I've mentioned it a few times in my books.  If we ever get to go visit New Mexico Dais and I want to see it.

           On the family's 2008 trip back to Washington D.C., they walked around war memorials.  I wrote about how, at the one dedicated to the "Korean War;" Mr. Steve's father was emotional.  I guess, Samantha was kind of impressed by how big in size the "Iwo Jima" memorial was.

           I just thought of how that memorial in "Jarales" is dedicated to guys from New Mexico, like Mr. Espinosa for example; who fought in all the different American wars of this century.  I wrote how Mr. Espinosa survived the "Bataan Death March."  I like how Mesquite smells.  

        

"BATAAN DEATH MARCH" ( APRIL, 1942)

                         

                I'm looking at the pictures from the Bataan Death March.  I wrote about how over sixty thousand captured American and Filipino prisoners were marched in extreme heat to the prison camp at "San Fernando."  Finley and his new girlfriend Fanny just flew over the house.

           I've mentioned how the Bataan Death March began on April the 9th in 1942, Miss Emily's birthday.  Prisoners marched seventy miles, on the way about one thousand Americans and over ten thousand Filipino's died or were killed.   My Encyclopedia describes "wanton violence." 

           Yesterday in book two I wrote about "the day after" the surprise attack on Pearl Harbor, when the Japanese also surprised General Douglas MacArthur down there in the Philippines.  It was so embarrassing for him I guess.  I hear two Crows squawking out there in the desert.    

                       

                                                  DOUGLAS MACARTHUR (1880-1964)   

          

             Boy!  I really like the pipe that guy Douglas MacArthur's smoking in the picture of him.  If I were ever to try smoking a pipe that's the kind I think I would want.  Daisy told me how our boss has some of his Grandpa Trujillo's things, like his pipe and his yellow work helmet.

             I've written how, by 1945 General MacArthur's "Island Hopping" strategy had retaken most of the "Territory" conquered by Japan early in the war.   By mid-1945 the Americans had  pushed the Japanese almost all the way back to their islands.  I can smell Blinky over there.

            In 1942 General MacArthur had not wanted to obey President Roosevelt's order for him to escape from the Philippines.  The thought of abandoning guys like Mr. Espinosa was a really hard one for him but, he promised to return later.   Andy's over there guarding their burrow. 

                               

WORLD WAR II ("PACIFIC" THEATER / 1941-1945)

           

           This good map really shows how General MacArthur helped push the Japanese, little by little; all of the way back to Japan.  The red arrows representing American forces start at Pearl Harbor and then move in a  westward direction toward Japan.  Libby whinnied over there.

           During World War II General MacArthur wanted to keep his promise, and return to the Philippines; but others disagreed with him.  They said "Bypass" places, like the Philippines; and just go straight for Japan.  But President Roosevelt agreed with General MacArthur I guess.

          As I've mentioned before, in October of 1944 General MacArthur was able to fulfill his promise and go back to the Philippines.  But then, much bloody fighting had to take place before the Philippines were actually taken back from the brave Japanese.  Dawn's barking. 

                               

                      GENERAL MACARTHUR RETURNS TO THE PHILIPPINES (OCTOBER, 1944)

          

            I'm looking at that picture of General MacArthur "wading" ashore on a Philippine beach in October 1944, "fulfilling his promise."  Daisy thinks he was so lucky to be able to make up for how badly he performed early in the war.  There are two crisscrossed vapor trails in the sky.

            To "evict" the Japanese from the Philippines, it took a lot of "vicious" fighting.  Some of it was that "House to House" or "Man to Man" type I've written about.   Once MacArthur freed or "liberated" the Philippines, he went back to his strategy of moving on toward Japan.

           In February of 1945 the American forces attacked that island of "Iwo Jima."  Daisy says our boss sold some things to a a man who's father fought in that bloody "Hard-Fought" battle.  About seven thousand Marines died but almost all twenty thousand Japanese were killed. 

    

                              "USS NEW YORK" SHELLING "IWO JIMA" (FEBRUARY, 1945)

                

              I guess, from what Daisy heard; the Americans thought it would be easy to capture Iwo Jima.  They had been bombing or what they call "Softening Up" that little island for months so thought they must've killed all of the defenders.  But it turned out they were wrong on that.

             Before one of those "Amphibious" assaults I've written about, not only was Iwo Jima "pounded" by Navy warships; it was also bombed from the air with Planes.  And they did it for a few weeks.  That guy who's father was there said how it was like being in "Hell on Earth."  

             This Encyclopedia says the Americans didn't realize how "well dug in" the twenty one thousand Japanese Soldiers were in tunnels.  Like the North Vietnamese during the 1960's, they dug into the ground in 1945 and just waited for the Marines to land.  I smell Andy over there.      

     

                     FIRST FLAG RAISING             (FEB. 23, 1945)              SECOND FLAG RAISING                          

                                  PHOTO BY SERGEANT LOU LOWERY                                                                                          PHOTO BY JOE ROSENTHAL                                                                    

            

            I wrote about how, the big statue in Washington D.C. is based on the Marine's "Second" flag raising on Iwo Jima's "Mount Suribachi."  That event took place on February 23rd which is our boss's dad's birthday.  Jack just now bounded bye in the back field, then disappeared.

            Another picture shows the first smaller flag over Mount Suribachi, and the caption says they wanted a bigger-sized flag in order that it was able to be seen from a lot farther away.  So, another Photographer was told to take what is now a world famous photo.  Libby whinnied.

           In 1945 at Iwo Jima, as usual; the Japanese fought "fanatically" and "to the death."  It says here, of the twenty thousand defenders; only two hundred survived.  Wow!  That's probably because they really believed in that Samurai "Bushido" code I've written about in my books. 

                    

"BATTLE OF IWO JIMA" (FEBRUARY 1945)

            

           On this one map you can really see how close the island of Iwo Jima is to Japan itself.  Oh!  This other picture shows two Japanese Soldiers killed on Iwo Jima, and the caption below it says the actual "land battle" began on February the 19th.  That's also Miss Harriet's birthday.   

           Daisy says that guy who's father fought at Iwo Jima told him how the Japanese had to be "rooted out" cave by cave.  They even used those "Flame Throwers" to burn them out, or threw "Grenades" into the tunnels.  A Motorcycle just went bye out there on Primavera Road.

           The guy told our boss his dad came to think of "Iwo" as kind of not being that necessary, seeing as how the main purpose for taking that island was so it could be used as "Air Bases" to bomb Japan.   That never happened I guess because the two Atomic bombs ended the war.   

     

"BATTLE OF IWO JIMA" (1945)

        

           Our boss told Mr. Ralph one time he thinks there are times when bad or difficult periods "almost become nostalgic" later.  At a "Get Together" his father and another man chuckled in remembering almost being burned during the Korean War.  A Train whistled faintly.

          Mr. "Mahley" said, "that Chinese flame thrower burned up the letters you wrote to your parents and girlfriend Stella.  You'd worked all that time on them the night before."  I guess, Mr. Steve's father then said, "But the pack they were in being burned shielded both of us."

           It turns out, Mr. Steve's father's unit got caught by surprise, and some of them had to hide in a cave as the Chinese Soldiers shot one of those flame throwers in there.  Luckily, there was a bend in the cave to duck into.   But Mr. Steve's dad's pack was partially burned Daisy says.  

        

      DAISY CÓRDOVA           

                 

            I'll bet Daisy is up there laying below our boss's office window, near that one tree.  I just thought of how she and Millie saw that tv show about Mark Twain, where it mentioned this old saying, "Familiarity breeds Contempt."  Fred, Ed and Ted are flying over Libby's Corral.   

                Life often being "Dual in Nature," Mr. Steve thinks that old saying means, the people who know you the best see your good and bad sides.  But he thinks "contempt" is too harsh a word to use.  Libby's scent right now just floated over here, and that makes me feel pretty good.   

           I've mentioned before a few times how there's often a "Grain of Truth" in a "Proverb." Mark Twain joked that, "Familiarity breeds contempt and children."  Someday, maybe I can read Mark Twain's books about those two guys "Tom Sawyer" and "Huckleberry Finn." 

                      

"MISSISSIPI RIVER"                                             "CONNECTICUT             

         

                 Daisy says one time our boss and Miss Susan at work talked about Mark Twain.  I guess Mr. Steve told her, even though Mark Twain is "associated" with the Mississippi River; at the end of his life he and his family lived in Connecticut.  I'm sure glad Libby's still around.

           I've mentioned a few times over the last three days how our boss's sister Susan, and her sons Dalton and Austin; live back there in Connecticut.  Oh!  Goliath is crawling through the left gate slot to go back out into the desert.  Andy's over there totally still but watching him.

          My Encyclopedia says Mark Twain, his wife "Olivia" and their three daughters for a long time lived in "Hartford," Connecticut.  Mr. Steve thinks, from what he's read or heard about his wife; Mark Twain was lucky to have had a basically decent person with him.   I smell Sage.  

           

                                                        MARK TWAIN AND FAMILY   

              

             The tv show mentioned about Mark Twain being born in that one town of "Hanibal," in  "Missouri."  Daisy heard our boss tell his father, who knows a lot about Mark Twain; at the end of his life Mark Twain became "disillusioned with life."  I smell Dawn, Blinky and Rosie.

             I guess, Mark Twain's wife and two daughters died, so did his older brother Orion's son; and some friends too.  Mark Twain thought life was so terrible.  I've mentioned how our boss's Niece Samantha, as a little girl; one time said that "It's just not fair that life is not fair."

            Someday I would also like to read Mark Twain's book about time traveling.  Dais says it's called "A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court," and is about this man who goes back to the time "Camelot."  I just looked up and saw Theodora running bye in front of the Sheds.

    

"A CONNECTICUT YANKEE IN KING ARTHUR'S COURT"

     

           I guess, in A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court an "Engineer" gets hit on the head, then goes back to King Arthur's Medieval England.  Daisy says the people thought he was one of those "Magician."   Sometimes Mark Twain had "financial problems" it says here.   

               Daisy told me one time our boss and Mr. Bob in Missouri talked about Mark Twain.  But most of the time, because Mr. Bob also went to "Antelope Valley" High School; they talked about Frank Zappa, and Captain Beefheart.   Frida and Diego just flew bye, going toward the east.

           Over the last three days I've mentioned a few times how, back in 2001; our Chief visited the city of "St. Louis."  At the top of that tall "Gateway Arch," one thing he thought about was Mark Twain; and also that guy Hernando de Soto.  I smell the baby Cholla cactus over there.  

                     "MOUND BUILDERS"                     DE SOTO'S ROUTE?                     HERNANDO DE SOTO 

                                                                                                                                                   (c.1500-1542)

     

            Looking toward the southeast from up there in the Gateway Arch, our boss remembered a conversation he had one time.  I guess, this guy told him DeSoto might've actually seen some of the "Mound Builder" communities.   They were "Advanced" Native cultures Daisy says.  

               I've mentioned a few times how, if he could time travel our boss would go back and see some the things from the 16th century.  He told that guy it "doesn't seem likely" DeSoto's men went that far north to have been able to see the Mound Builders.  But maybe they did?

          Mr. Steve, and his father too; think for "good and bad" the 1500's was one of the "most important periods" in history.  It was the "Renaissance," but a very "violent and bloody" time as well.  Ah!  I can hear two Crows fighting over something out there in the back desert.  

    

   FRANCISCO PIZARRO (c.1500-1542)

        

            DeSoto "explored" areas now the country of "Nicaragua," and Mexico's "Yucatan." He was with Francisco Pizarro in the bloody fighting against those "Inca's" down there in "South America."  He and his men were the "first European" to cross the "Mississippi River."

            I've mentioned before how many of the different Spanish "Conquistadores," like that guy Francisco Pizarro for example; were poor.  They were ""Out of Work" Soldiers, who really did need a job after the "Reconquista."  Pizarro was originally from the town of "Trujillo."     

           A pretty girl showed Mr. Steve pictures she took in "Wittenberg," Germany where Martin Luther lived in the 16th century.  Some were of the Church where Martin Luther nailed his now famous complaints against the Catholic Church.  Blackbeard and Anne are now flying bye.

                                        

  MARTIN LUTHER (1483-1546)    

PAINTING BY LUCAS CRANACH THE ELDER      

    

                  The girl told our boss, because the original wood doors where Martin Luther nailed his "complaints"  onto burned in the 1700's; the current doors are metal.  She said, her mom went to this other German town called "Erfurt."  Oh!  Some of Heathcliff's Hens are clucking!

            Hey You Guys!  My Encyclopedia says Erfurt is where Martin Luther was hit by that bolt of lightning like St. Paul, and almost died.  But he said You Guys up there, and "St. Anne;" saved him.  That's what this really good tv show Daisy and Millie saw one time said happened.   

            I guess Lord, when Martin Luther was laying in that field he promised to become a Monk if You Guys saved him; which of course You did.   I'm kind of afraid of lightning and thunder too so can empathize with how scary his situation must've been.  I wouldn't mind being a Nun.

       

RICK STEVES ("WITTENBURG," GERMANY)

           

                Daisy and Millie saw one of that guy Rick Steves travel episodes where he also went to Germany and visited places associated with Martin Luther.  Daisy thinks Rick Steves, who's a Protestant Lutheran; is a nice person.  He seems like a "hard worker" our boss says.  

             I've mentioned a few times over the last three days how our boss and his father think the 16th century "Protestant Reformation" is one of the most important things to happen in history. And guys like Martin Luther and John Calvin were a big part of that.  A Train just whistled.

                 Another important person who lived in the 16th century was the leader of the "Ottoman" Turkish Empire.  My Encyclopedia calls him "Süleyman the Magnificent," and it says here how he at one time "ruled over twenty five million people on three continents."  Dawn's barking.  

                                

   SÜLEYMAN "THE MAGNIFICENT" (1494-1566)        

                                                                                                                                        PAINTING BY TITIAN                 

        

              Wow!  That guy Süleyman, whose name can also be spelled "Sulieman;" ruled over the Ottoman Empire for forty six years.  My Encyclopedia says he led "twenty five people on three continents."  Boy!  I really, really like Süleyman the Magnificent's "Turban" style hat.

               I've mentioned before how the Ottoman Empire ended in 1918 when Turkey ended up being on the losing side of World War I.  Süleyman, who was born two years after Columbus's first voyage of discovery; had the title of being a "Sultan."  Fred, Ed and Ted just flew bye.

              Besides conquering what it says here was an "ever expanding empire;" Süleyman also "cultivated the arts."  He helped the poor, "sponsoring soup kitchens, hospitals and libraries."   I guess, like our boss, and his Nephew Rocky Jr. over in Texas; Süleyman was an Artist too. 

       

         FALL OF CONSTANTINOPLE (1453)                          "HAGIA  SOPHIA"

PAINTING BY ANGUS MCBRIDE                                                                                                                                                           

        

            I've mentioned before how the Christian "Byzantine" Empire fell in 1453, when the city of "Constantinople" was taken by Süleyman's Grandfather.  I wrote about that big, giant canon which blew holes in the until then "impenetrable" thick walls.  Andy's sniffing the air.    

           Our boss has known "Sikh's" who wear turbans.  I guess, if he had been able to conquer Italy Süleyman wanted to turn "St. Peter's" Basilica in Rome into a Mosque; just like that guy Emperor Justinian's Church was converted in 1453.  Seeing Andy makes me feel good.     

           This is interesting how, when many Jews were kicked out of Spain by King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella in 1492; Süleyman "took them in" and even "protected" them.  I guess he really admired Alexander the Great from what it says here.  Andy has kind of a good scent to me.    

                                  

                                                  "HOLLAND" (NETHERLANDS)

             

               Over the last three days I've mentioned those colorful "Tulip" flowers.  From the 17th century onward they've been "Associated" with the "Netherlands."  But it says here how, in the 1500's that guy Süleyman was already growing them.  He had gardens at Constantinople. 

            I guess Süleyman, who supported "Culture;" had Artists weave "tulip motifs" into rugs and fired into ceramics.  Tulips came to symbolize the "Coming of Spring" to Süleyman.  It says here how, it was during Suleyman's time that "Coffee" was first "introduced" into Europe.

           Mr. Steve's father used to tell his Stockbroker Students how, in the wealthy 17th century nation of the Netherlands many people made the "bad decision" of trying to "Speculate" on tulip "Futures."  It worked "for a while" until no one was "willing to pay more than you paid."   

           

                     "EUROPE"                                 REMBRANTD VAN RIJN (1606-1669)  

                                                                                                                                                     SELF-PORTRAIT    

       

                This map of Europe shows in brown just how tiny the Netherlands is.  During its "Golden Age" that guy "Rembrandt" was painting portraits of the Dutch people.  I've mentioned before how Mr. Steve's mom likes his artwork.  And she also likes the paintings of Jan Vermeer.

           Daisy heard that our boss's mom likes Rembrandt's paintings, which were different from the "Baroque" style also popular during the 17th century.  This one Encyclopedia uses the word "innovative" to describe what Rembrandt did.  I smell Dawn, Blinky and Rosie over there. 

           Mr. Steve's father thinks the Netherlands 1600's tulip futures "Market Crash" is the "first big bust in the history of booms."  It's an example of what "Greed" can do, even to a Protestant culture which is very conservative.  Dawn, Blinky and Rosie's presence makes me feel good. 

   

TULIPS   

      

         I've mentioned a few times in my books how, one difference between us Catholics and the Protestant Christians is how they don't want images in their Churches.  Even though I've never been in a Church yet, I think I'd like to have statues around.  And I know Daisy would too.

          Daisy heard Mr. Steve's father say the Dutch were a conservative Protestant "Calvinist" culture, so didn't want to "Show Off" their wealth Mr. Steve's father said.  Hey God!  But they did believe in "Glorifying" You.   So they put their money into Gardens and things like that.

         Hey God!  From what Daisy tells me, Tulips are pretty alright.  I guess, Mr. Steve's father thinks the 16th century is an example when people, who "cannot afford to gamble; do because they see the "supposedly smarter people" doing it.   So, they all ended up losing money.

                            

                                                   SÜLEYMAN'S "CALLIGRAPHY"                                                                                                                                            

               This Dictionary says "Calligraphy" is, "Attractive handwriting or lettering."  I'm looking at lettering Suleyman did.  He conquered a lot of areas, like Israel, North Africa, Egypt and even a part of eastern Europe too.  There's a long vapor trail way up there in the high blue sky.  

           As one of the "most powerful" 16th century rulers, it says here how Süleyman had "many enemies."  But, his biggest "nemesis" or "adversary" was that guy King "Charles V;" who I've mentioned before.  Their armies "faced each other in the field" on "a number of occasions."

          Not only was Charles V King of Spain, he also ruled over that "Austro-Hungarian" empire too.   Goliath, who must've come in from the desert and went under one of the Sheds; is crawling out into the desert through the left vertical gate slot.  Andy's keeping an eye on him too. 

     

                                                   KING "CHARLES V" (1500-1558)

PAINTING BY TITIAN              

          

            It says here how, as a "devout" Catholic; Charles V not only had to oppose Muslims like  Süleyman; but also the leaders of those new "Protestant" Christians in Europe too.  I've written about the "Protestant Reformation" over the last three days.  Andy's scent just floated in. 

           I guess, Suleyman was never able to conquer Charles V's "Holy Roman Empire," but pushed up against it a few times.  If Mr. Steve could time travel he'd go see things like Cortez's conquest of the Aztecs, and Suleyman's "Lavish" court in Constantinople.  A Train whistled.   

           I've written before about how, in the first half of the 16th century; King Henry VIII was the leader of England.  After breaking away from the Catholic Church, because the Pope would not give him permission to divorce his first wife; he just created his own religion.  I like Andy.

                 

                    HENRY VIII (1491-1547)                                     ELIZABETH I (1533-1603)

PAINTING BY HANS HOLBEIN                                                                                                                                                                       

                         

              I've mentioned before how Henry VIII, and then later his daughter "Elizabeth I;" ruled over England in what is now called the "Golden Age."  That was when England, mainly because of their navy; really became a "World Power."  Samson and Delilah are now flying bye.  

            Daisy and Millie saw this tv show that said the last words Henry VIII said before dying was, "Monks! Monks! Monks!"  He took a lot of money and property away from the Catholic Church in England, so was probably talking about Catholic Monks I'll bet.  I smell Sage.

            Over the last three days I've learned so much about the history of "Russia," and also the "Soviet Union."  In the 16th century this guy named Ivan "the Terrible" led Russia.  Daisy saw a tv show that said he was kind of like Joseph Stalin in being mean to any "perceived enemies."      

         

                                 "VASILEVICH IV"  /  IVAN THE TERRIBLE (1530-1584)

     PAINTING BY VIKTOR VASNETSOV              

     

           It says here Ivan the Terrible's real  name was "Vasilevich IV I guess.  He was Russia's first ever "Tsar," which was later changed into the title of "Czar;" or "Caesar" in Russian.  I've  mentioned before how the German name "Kaiser" is how they say Caesar in German.                   

             Mr. Steve's dad thinks; "as bad as he was;" at least Ivan the Terrible began the process of trying to "Modernize" his country.   The tv show said one time he got so angry, he actually killed his own son.  It was kind of like when Alexander the Great killed his friend Daisy thinks.              

          Our boss's father knows about how the "Transitioning of Power," or protecting the "Line of Succession;" has been the source of much bloodshed in human history.  In the 16th century; it Kings or Queens often killed even their family members.  Fannie and Freddie just flew bye.         

         

"JULIO CLAUDIAN" DYNASTY  (27 B.C.-66 A.D.)    

             

             To keep or "maintain" a "hold on power," leaders have always killed rivals.  That's what, so far; makes the "Experiment in Democracy" the Founding Fathers created at the end of the 18th century unique.  Mr. Steve's father thinks an economic depression could end that idea.          

           In ancient Rome, to get or then maintain power those two "Julio Claudian" families ended only when "Nero" had to kill himself.  Mr. Steve's father says he "would've had a heart attack" as a Roman Emperor.  You're always "looking over your shoulder" he told our boss one time.       

       I just thought of that guy Julius Caesar, who was the very first Roman "Emperor" at the beginning of the Julio Claudian "Dynasty;" and was assassinated.  Daisy saw this tv show about when Julius Caesar illegally brought his army back to Italy from France.   Dawn's barking.          

    

CAESAR "CROSSING THE RUBICON" RIVER (49 B.C.)

         If Mr. Steve could go back in time I'll bet he would want to meet Julius Caesar, and Daisy thinks his father would want to do that too.  In crossing the "Rubicon" River he knew that was    going to trigger a bloody "Civil War" in Rome.  And it did alright as I've mentioned before.         

        Dais says if she could time travel she'd want to find out what that girl "Cleopatra" smelled like.  I think it would be kind of interesting to see how she dressed and talked, seeing as how she  was influenced by ancient Egypt and the Greeks too.  A flock of Birds is going bye up there.          

     My Encyclopedia says, when Caesar crossed that Rubicon River in northern Italy he said; "The Die is Cast," in Latin "Alea iacta Est."  The tv show said that has come to mean a "Point of no Return."   It was like Cortez in 1519 sinking all his Ships so there was "No going Back."         

     

2014 JEEP "WRANGLER" ("RUBICON")

   

         One time Dais heard our boss and a "Jeep" customer talk about a Car called a "Rubicon" like the River.  It's a "Version" of the "Wrangler" I mentioned earlier.  Down there in "Chile"      that Parts Manager said, a Wrangler set the record for driving in the "highest altitude" ever.       

         Daisy says that one Parts Manager told our boss how, back in 2008; they started making an electric powered Wrangler.  He also said he's been told a "longer wheel based" version with five  doors is used by the "Israeli Defense Forces."   I have more to write about the 16th century.          

  Another 1500's King was that French guy "Francis I," one of "Charles V" of Spain's big enemies; and whose armies fought him in a few different wars I guess.  Dais saw a tv about him    which said during Francis I's reign "Protestantism" came to France.  Dawn's barking.                                           

  FRANCIS I (1494-1547)           

                 PAINTING BY JOOS VAN CLEVE                               

                                                                                  

          It says here Francis I was called "Roi-Chevalier" in French, or "Knight-King."  Oh!  And, one of his other nicknames was "Francois au Grand Nez;" or "Francis of the Big Nose."  It was during his time that the French came over here to explore the east coast of North America.

         As a Protestant, Francis I fought wars against Charles V who was Catholic.  It was under his rule that the French first came over here to explore parts of the east coast of North America. There are Birds darting all around above the eastern, out there desert behind the Sheds.

         Dais says the tv show mentioned how King Francis hired that guy Leonardo da Vinci to do things for him.  I've mentioned before how Leonardo da Vinci designed weapons for war that were ahead of his time, like Tanks and things like that for instance.  I can smell Blinky. 

              

                                                    JACQUES CARTIER (1491-1557)    

              PAINTING BY THÉOPHILE HAMEL                                                                                                                           PAINTING BY CHARLES DUDLEY TENNANT

         

             Francis I sent an Explorer named Jacques Cartier to the New World.  Like Christopher Columbus, he was one of those "Navigator;"  and named "Canada" based on the Iriquois Indian word "kanata;" which means  either "village" or "land" I guess.  Two Pigeons flew bye.  

            According to this Encyclopedia, and also the tv show Daisy saw; that guy Jacques Cartier made a total of three voyages to "territory" now part of eastern Canada.  He "claimed the area" for France, and then "mapped" the "Saint Lawrence" River.  A Train just whistled faintly.          

            Boy!  I like when Mr. Steve calls me "Mag,"  and how lately Daisy's been saying that too.  This morning when Mr. Steve told us about how Heathcliff died he called us by our shortened names I noticed.  It sure makes Daisy and I feel really good when he gives us nicknames. 

  

      "AMAZONS"       

    

              Mr. Steve jokes about how Dais and myself are like his "Penthesilea" and "Hippolyta."  Those were the two ancient Greek "Amazon" sisters, who were Queens.   I'm his Hippolyta and Daisy is Penthesilea.  Like all of the Amazons, both were really brave female Warriors.   

              I've mentioned before how, if we could borrow Mr. Peabody's Way Back machine; Daisy and I would want to see with our own eyes that big giant wooden Horse the Greeks used to trick the Trojans at the end of the "Trojan War.  I see Libby over there.  And now I smell her. 

              It says here Queen Penthesilea fought for "Troy" in that Trojan War, but was killed in one of those "duals" by that guy Achilles; who "fell in love" with her just before having to stab her to death.  Smelling and seeing Libby suddenly makes me feel better about my sadness.    

                           

                ACHILLES / PENTHESILEA                              HIPPOLYTA / HERCULES

       

           Queen Hippolyta, in that other Greek myth, lost her magic belt to Hercules as part of his ninth of the “Labors" he had to do.  That magic "girdle" was given to her by her father "Ares," the "God of War;" and was like a crown.  I smell Theodora's Creosote bush over there.

           Over the last three days I've mentioned a few times that lady named Edith Hamilton, who wrote books on ancient Greece and Rome.  I guess, she wrote about the Amazons and and also Hercules and Achilles.  A Motorcycle just zoomed bye out there on Primavera Road. 

          Daisy says some of those "Comic Books" our boss has are about this girl named "Wonder Woman." She's an Amazon, whose mother Hippolyta "Sculped" her from clay, and I guess she has supernatural powers.  Dais told me has bracelets which can deflect her from bullets.  

                                                           HIPPOLYTA                                                     WONDER WOMAN       

              

            Daisy heard how the first Wonder Woman comic books came out in 1941, which was the third year of World War II; so in those ones she fights "Axis" Soldiers.  And she also fights some other "Villains" too.   Wonder Woman has rope which makes anyone tell the truth Dais says.

                 Someday I want to hear a song by LED ZEPPELIN Daisy told me about called "Achilles Last Stand."  Mr. Ralph read it's influenced by this William Blake poem, and the ancient Greek story about "Atlas;" which Edith Hamilton wrote about.  Samson and Delilah are flying bye.

           Mr. Dave read Achilles Last Stand, from 1976; has "North African influences" because Robert Plant and Jimmy Page visited "Morocco."  Dais says our boss likes the "complex" and "interconnected" sections.  The melody reminds him of HEART'S 1977 song "Barracuda."      

         

CAULDRON       

PHOTOS BY STEVE CÓRDOVA            

       

           I just thought about that 1980's band from San Fernando ACHILLES HEEL, who before that were CAULDRON.  I guess, from what Daisy heard; LED ZEPPELIN'S song Achilles Last  Stand is over ten minutes long.  Andy's over there sniffing the air protecting their burrow.             

         Ah!  A nice cool breeze just came in from the back desert behind the Sheds and is making the chimes ring.  Taking in a deep breath of air through both nostrils is making me feel so good    right now.   Thank Everyone up there for the way I feel and for helping focus on work today.        

     Daisy told me about that 1970's English band DR. FEELGOOD.  Mr. Steve joked how, if I were ever a Guitarist; I'd play in the "herky-jerky" style of Dr. FEELGOOD's "Wilko."  Daisy told me that guy Wilko definitely has one of the most unique ways of playing she's ever seen.                

                        DR. FEELGOOD                                               TALKING HEADS                                                                                                     

            I'm looking forward to hearing songs by that band TALKING HEADS, who Daisy heard our boss describe as "quirky."  I've mentioned before how in 1983 he and that girl "Nancy" saw them play a concert at the "Pantages" Theater in Hollywood.  Frida and Diego just flew bye.       

      Daisy told me, when TALKING HEADS play the song "Life During Wartime" in their concerts; the band all "dance in synch" with each other.  Our boss told Mr. Rich that girl Bassist  and her husband on the drums work "really well together."  They're the "Rhythm Section."         

        All of a sudden I just thought of that band from "Chicago" called STYX.  Daisy says she and Millie heard Mr. Rick and our boss talking about them, and I guess Mr. Rick, who's from the "Blue Collar" town of "Pittsburgh;" likes their song "Blue Collar Man."  It's good Dais says.        

        STYX                                                                 JUDAS PRIEST  

         

           I've mentioned a few times how Mr. Steve joked with that kid Jason JUDAS PRIEST'S song "You've Got Another Thing Coming."  It reminds him of Daisy's lumbering "Panzer" Tank way of running.  Right now I'm hearing my theme song "Virginia Plain" by ROXY MUSIC.        

           Mr. Steve joked with Jason how he also kind of sees Daisy as a "blue collar Dog" too, so maybe that STYX song should be her song.  Hearing the flittering oboe on Virginia Plain right      now is making me feel good.  Jack just ran bye out there in the field behind the Sheds.                   

          STYX have two Guitarists and a Keyboardist I guess.  Dais heard our boss tell Mr. Rich one time how the Drummer and Bassist are twin brothers like in the BEE GEES, and like them    they're not those "Identical" twins but "Fraternal."  Ah!  I can smell the Twin Joshua trees.         

     

MR. STEVE'S SISTER SUSAN

   

         Daisy thinks STYX have good singing and playing in their songs, and likes the one about the "Beauty Queen."  Their "Harmony" singing is at times as good as the BEE GEEs according  to what Dais has heard.  Mr. Steve's sister Susan won those Beauty Contests I've mentioned.         

      I've written about how our boss's sister Susan in Connecticut came in third in the "Miss California" Beauty Contest back in the late 1980's.  According to Daisy, that STYX song called    "Miss America" has good guitar playing and singing in it.  I can smell Libby in her Corral.           

         Two Motorcycles went bye out there on Primavera Road, and now the dust they left behind is floating in the air.  Andy's over there sniffing the air just in case Goliath or Cher are nearby.  I hear the Hens over there clucking away, and their voices are making me think of Heathcliff.         

                                           

"HADES" (CROSSING THE RIVER "STYX")  

            

          Over the last three days I've mentioned a few times how, in ancient Greece; the equivalent of our "Hell" was "Hades.  That's where dead Souls go, and where they have to cross that river    called "Styx."  I'll bet that one lady Edith Hamilton wrote about it in some of her books.               

           Dais heard our boss and his sister Susan one time went down to the Forum to see a STYX concert.  It was really good I guess, and Mr. Steve thought the songs sounded just as good live as they are in the recorded versions.  Fannie and Freddie, talking to each other; flew bye.

          All of a sudden, for some reason; I just thought about how Grandma Trujillo was kind of a "Fatalist."  I've mentioned how she often ended her sentences with the phrase, "God Willing," just like the way Muslims say "Insha Allah" or "glory be to Allah! "      

       

GRANDPA / GRANDMA TRUJILLO 

                                   

             Someday I hope to see that tv show called "Jeopardy, the one Grandma Trujillo and now Mr. Steve's mom like to watch.  Oh!   I wonder if there could ever be such a thing as Jeopardy for Dogs?  If not, maybe we could be the one to invent it; and possibly make some money too. 

            Wow!  I like the idea of Dog Jeopardy.  Of course we could have Dog "Contestants," and maybe even some Cats too!   If Mr. Peabody came on he would probably win every time I'll bet.  Andy's over sniffing the air in protecting he and Helen's babies down there in the burrow.

           Daisy says after Grandma Trujillo died, when our boss and Samantha were cleaning out her room at the Retirement Center; her Filipina Nurse told him; "Mr. Steven, you'll be glad to know Miss Lupe saw Wheel of Fortune the night before she died."  Later, Mr. Steve cried.

        

SYSTEM OF A DOWN

           

             I've mentioned before how our boss, when he was working at the "San Fernando Sun" in the 1990's; wrote a "Press Release about the opening of that Armenian "Assisted Living" facility in Mission Hills.  Mr. Steve was told SYSEEM OF A DOWN'S "Singer's father is there.

            One time Dais says, our boss joked with Mr. Dave how I sometimes go from "hot to cold" and "cold to hot;" like some S.O.A.D. songs.  Daisy thinks at times I'm kind of like the Singer in SYSTEM OF A DOWN.  I've mentioned before how S.O.A.D. are from "Glendale."  

           Daisy says a while back our Chief spoke with this Armenian guy named "Rafi."  The had not spoken with him for many years but Mr. Rafi got Mr. Steve's phone number from someone they both knew in the past.  Blackbeard and Anne are flying right now toward the northeast.

            

    WORLD WAR I ("ARMENIAN GENOCIDE")    

          

             I guess, that guy Mr. Rafi is also from Glendale like S.O.A.D.; and his job is to be one of those "Accountants" in downtown Los Angeles.  Daisy says Mr. Rafi, just like S.O.A.D; wants people to know about what happened to Armenians in World War I.  A Crow just cawed.  

           When Mr. Rafi called our boss they reminisced about Armenian food and things like that.  Mr. Rafi remembered how, to be polite Mr. Steve drank those small cups of really strong coffee; but really didn't like how it made him feel.  Mr. Steve doesn't drink coffee very much.

           I like to howl sometimes, and Mr. Steve jokes I kind of remind him of S.O.A.D'S Singer.  But sometimes I also kind of whimper; like when I'm hungry and want our boss to know.  Daisy knows how sometimes Dawn and I can go from quiet to loud; and then back to soft again.  

               

MAGGIE HOWLING       

              

           Daisy, Blinky and Rosie never howl, but Dawn and I do.  I don't know about Dawn, but I know that howling releases the anxiety I sometimes still feel.  I noticed how one time Mr. Steve called it my way of  “Venting.”   A small flock of Birds is going bye way up there in the sky.  

          My Dictionary says "vent" has a few meanings, one being; "A means of escaping." And in other definitions words like "outlet " and "release" are used.   All I know is that when I howl I feel so much better somehow.  Motorcycles just zoomed bye out there on Primavera Road.           

          Mr. Steve likes how S.O.A.D. at times play “choppy” Hard Rock, and “Staccato” stop and go music.  It kind of reminds him of that Punk band the DEAD KENNEDY'S.  Mr. Steve thinks S.O.A.D. should maybe listen to some of the DEAD KENNEDY songs from the 1970's.

          

DEAD KENNEDYS         

                    

            One time our boss told Mr. Dave on some DEAD KENNEDY songs, like "Kill the Poor," "I Kill Children" or "Lynch the Landlord;" you just have to ignore the lyrics and focus on how talented the bass, drums and guitar are.  Dawn's barking.  I can smell Blinky over there. 

           Daisy says our boss told Mr. Dave to listen to the DEAD KENNEDY'S song "California Uber Alles."  He really liked the actual music but, when Mr. Steve explained to him how it was about a "Left Wing Liberal Autocracy" of Governor Jerry Brown he laughed.  I like Blinky.

          The Nazi's sang a song called "Deutschland Uber Alles," or "Germany Above Everyone." So, the DEAD KENNEDY'S not only have melodic catchy songs, their lyrics are clever and well thought out too.  Instead of a Swastika Governor Brown would use a "Happy Face" symbol.   

                                                                      CAMBODIA                 "KHMER ROUGE"                 LEADERSHIP                         

                                                      (1975-1979)                    POL POT (1925-1998) ON LEFT      

                  

            Daisy told me about another DEAD KENNEDY'S song called "Holiday in Cambodia," about the Communist Cambodian government from 1975 through 1979.  That was when that guy Pol Pot was the leader and maybe two million people were killed.  He did a "Genocide."

           The picture on the sleeve of the DEAD KENNEDY'S song Holiday in Cambodia shows a man hitting a hanging dead body with one of those folding chairs.  Daisy says in the film of it the man keeps hitting the body until the head comes off, and everyone cheered.  I smell Sage.        

           I just thought of Frank Zappa, who I've mentioned before wrote some "unorthodox" and unique music.  It's too bad he had to die so young Mr. Steve says, because it would've been kind of interesting to hear what he would be doing now.  Ah!  Smelling Sage makes me feel good.

 

  FRANK ZAPPA / CAPTAIN BEEFHEART       

                                                                    

             Since moving up here Mr. Steve has met people who knew or knew of Frank Zappa and Captain Beefheart from "Antelope Valley" High School.  That Parts Manager Mr. Bob back in Missouri grew up in the Antelope Valley before moving to the "Midwest."  Dawn's barking.

            Antelope Valley, near to where our Chief's brother Sam lives with his family in Littlerock; is where where Frank Zappa and Captain Beefheart grew up.  But I guess they realized, if they were going to "Make It" in music; they'd have to move down to Los Angeles.  I like Dawn.

            One time this man from Hesperia used the word "workaholic" to describe Frank Zappa.  He was always rebelling against authority, whether it was government or any religion; and hated taking drugs, Hippies and "Psychedelia."   But he did smoke a lot of cigarettes Daisy noticed.

  

   TED NUGENT                                                        AMBOY DUKES   

       

            Daisy and Millie saw a tv show where the man mentioned how Guitarist Ted Nugent is similar to Frank Zappa in not liking people who took drugs. Ted Nugent was in a 1960's-1970's band from Detroit called the AMBOY DUKES Dais says.  Andy's over there looking at me. 

       One time Mr. Dave said it was so "ironic" the AMBOY DUKES hit song "Journey to the Center of Your Mind," written this other guy in the band; was about taking drugs. Ted Nugent    says he didn't realize it back then.  Andy just picked up my scent from over here on Elvira.           

        According to Daisy, Mr. Steve likes this one AMBOY DUKES song about a white Buffalo.  I guess, when it came out in 1974 our boss had recently graduated from High School; and was in    classes at "Valley Junior College" down there in Van Nuys.  I feel good here on the Patio.                    

WHITE BUFFALO     

        

          One time this "Lakota" Indian girl came over to our house to buy some things from our boss.  He played her that AMBOY DUKES song about the white Buffalo and she really liked it.  I just glanced up and see two long white and extending vapor trails way up there in the sky.            

         Mr. Steve also showed the pretty girl a "Dream Catcher" the Lakota kids made at the St. Joseph's Orphanage in South Dakota.  She told him her people's word for "Sacred" is "Wakan," which is what they call white Buffaloes.  Andy's smell just came floating to me over here.               

          As he helped her load things on her Truck that girl told our boss the Lakota story about the "White Buffalo Calf Woman."   She helped save people from times of "famine and hunger," and gave them their "Ceremonial" pipes to smoke.  I just heard a Motorcycle go bye out there.                   

                                MOTÖRHEAD                                                      PHIL TAYLOR

     

            I've written how on some Heavy Metal songs the fast-paced "Ambient" drumming sound is important.  That means feet going really fast on two bass drums.  I've said how the first time our boss ever noticed it was Phil Taylor doing it on MOTÖRHEAD'S 1979 song "Overkill."  

           The AMBOY DUKES Drummer, in 1974; played a kit with "Double Bass" drums, but not in the way later "Thrash" Heavy Metal Drummers did.  In the song "Great White Buffalo," he was probably playing on that drum set.   The four Pigeons are flying over Libby's Corral.  

          Mr. Steve was told in 1973, when he was in 12th Grade at Sylmar High and later in classes at "Valley" Junior College in Van Nuys; Ted Nugent and the AMBOY DUKES signed a record deal with Frank Zappa's company.  Dawn's barking.  I cab smell her, Blinky and Rosie.    

        

FRANK ZAPPA 

        

          Over the last three days I've written about that guy Frank Zappa, and how he lived in  "Lancaster" because his father worked at "Edwards" A.F.B. near where Mr. Grant and his wife Lori have their house in "Rosamond."  Samson and Delilah are flying over Libby's Corral.           

            Mr. Dave said one of his old Motorcycle Shop customers described Frank Zappa as being a "non-conformist."   He was "unconventional," disliked Disco music; and Daisy thinks in some ways sounds like later Punks in hating a lot of things.  A Crow is squawking out in the desert.     

           A tv show Daisy and Millie saw said Frank Zappa liked Classical music, and Composers like Edgard Varese and Igor Stravinsky.  His music, like Captain Beefheart's; is very "hard to categorize" Mr. Dave said.  He was very "unique and experimental" Mr. Dave thinks.  

                                             

FRANK ZAPPA"S FAMILY (SECOND FROM LEFT)       

          

             As I've said a few times over the last three days, Frank Zappa's music was known to at times be "innovative and unique."   Mr. Dave jokes his guitar solos at times were "a little bit too long."  Jack ran bye out there in the back field behind the Sheds, and now disappeared.

            One time our boss was talking to Mr. Rich about how Frank Zappa's music often blended Rock with Funk, Jazz, Blues and Soul; which I guess is also what his High School friend Captain Beefheart did too.  Mr. Dave said he was "Self-Taught."  Hey!  That's kind of like me too.   

           Frank Zappa was influenced by the "Diverse" Los Angeles "Ethnic" culture.  He mentions areas, one being "Pacoima" where Mr. Bobby the Boxer is from.  Daisy heard he also mentions a town called "Sun City" near Littlerock, which I guess is now mainly where black people live.

    

              FRANK ZAPPA                "ANTELOPE VALLEY"             DON VAN VLIET                    (1940-1993)                                                                                   (1941-2010)       

                 

           I guess, Frank Zappa and Captain Beefheart graduated from Antelope Valley High School in 1958, when Mr. Steve was three years old and his brother Rock only one.  I've mentioned how Captain Beefheart's real name was Don van Vliet.  A flock of Birds is flying toward the east.  

           Daisy heard our boss and his customer Mr. Bob back there in Missouri talking about how Frank Zappa moved from his parent's house in Lancaster at the age of nineteen.  He knew if he wanted to make money he'd have to go down to Los Angeles.   So that's where he went.

          Mr. Bob, who also went to Antelope Valley High; heard that Frank Zappa and his wife had kids so right away he was working hard to support his own growing family.  I've mentioned how, according to what Dais and Millie heard; his kids have unique names.  A Train just whistled.

               

                                     FAMILY                    FRANK ZAPPA                 IN CONCERT                         

       

           Some people said Frank Zappa was at times hard to work with.  His wife shared his views about things he criticized, like the "Dumbing Down" of American society through the things like "Consumerism."  Daisy told me how my favorite band DEVO also make fun of that too.

          Frank Zappa died on December 4th, our boss's Niece Steph's birthday.  He was described as a "blunt curmudgeon" who "Satirized" what he saw as the "absurd" in American culture.  I guess Mr. Steve thinks he was pretty smart by setting up his own "Independent" record label.

         Over the years people have paid our boss and Mr. Grant to prepare what they call "Patent" and "Copyright" applications.  Sometimes they prepare legal documents for free, especially if the person is low on money.  I just noticed a vapor trail up there moving toward the southeast.

       

JONATHON SWIFT (1667-1745)

        

              Over the last three days I've learned and written about that Irish Writer Jonathon Swift, and how some people think he was the best "Satirists" in history.  He was not Catholic like most Irish people.  He was a "Clergyman" in the Protestant "Anglican" Church of England.   

           Mr. Steve told his father one time how over the years he's wondered if Frank Zappa read or knew about Jonathon Swift.  Someday I look forward to seeing the movie, or maybe reading Jonathon Swift's book; about that man whose last name was "Gulliver."  Dawn's barking.

           Daisy thinks, if he could time travel; our boss would want to go back to the early 18th century and talk with Jonathon Swift.  Every time I look at his picture in the Encyclopedia it makes me want to get one of those good wigs people wore back in those days.  I like Dawn.   

                                   

HIGH DESERT MID AFTERNOON SKY               

                          

             One time our boss and Mr. Dave talked about Frank Zappa.  He did his own Copyright applications, and was one of the first Musicians to object to "Sampling."  I've written about how that's where an Artist just "Lifts" or uses part or parts of your music in their own songs.  

             I guess Frank Zappa, who "Flouted Convention;" died of cancer in 1993 at age fifty two. He smoked a lot of cigarettes and is buried in one of those "Unmarked" graves.  Mr. Steve was told, because his dad was a "Chemist;" Frank Zappa played with "Mercury" as a kid.  

            A while back Mr. Steve did some artwork for a Russian lady, who got excited when told Frank Zappa lived in Lancaster.  She said he's still "very popular" in the former "Communist Block" countries of Eastern Europe.  He even has a statue in "Lithuania" I guess.  Wow!   

    

  "BLONDE ON BLONDE"                          "FREAK OUT"                "TROUT MASK REPLICA"       

   

         Mr. Steve read Frank Zappa is the only person ever voted into both the Jazz and Rock and Roll Hall's of Fames.  His "Freak Out" was only the second "double album ever," Bob Dylan's    "Blonde on Blonde" the first.  Mr. Steve used to have those on vinyl but sold them Dais says.        

       Captain Beefheart was also called "Eccentric" in his music.  Daisy says the same guy who bought Freak Out and Blonde on Blonde, also bought that one Captain Beefheart album "Trout Mask Replica;" which he joked had the "worst album cover in history."  Dawn's barking.            

        Daisy and Millie heard our boss tell Mr. Rich he really "didn't care for" Captain Beefheart's album that much.  But it's amazing how it influenced so many later Musicians.  His customer in "Georgia" told him that band the B-52'S say they were some of them.  A Train just whistled.    

   

                                 B-52'S                                                   JOHN LENNON / YOKO ONO

       

             Our boss told Mr. Dave he never would have thought Captain Beefheart would influence so many.  Most people in the early 1970's would not have predicted John Lennon's wife "Yoko" Ono's "Warbling" singing would be copied.  But that one girl in the B-52'S seems to have.

            Daisy says the Parts Manager in Georgia told our boss he was told John Lennon heard that yellow 1980 B-52'S album.  He supposedly recognized the girl singing in a way people used to make fun of his wife for doing.  Boy!  I wonder if he ever played the B-52'S for her?

                Mr. Steve once heard this funny girl say, "to put it nicely" Captain Beefheart's music was "avante-garde" or "experimental."  People over the years have told our boss that the BEATLES liked his music.  There are now two crisscrossed vapor trails way up there in the high sky.

  

                     TALKING HEADS                                           RED HOT CHILI PEPPERS

            Daisy and Millie heard Mr. Dave say he read, besides the B-52'S; other later bands like TALKING HEAD and the RED HOT CHILI PEPPERS were influenced by Captain Beefheart's use of "disjointed" guitars and "irregular rhythms."  I smell Sage.  Dawn's barking.

           All of a sudden I just thought of how it was Frank Zappa's band who were on stage doing a concert when that Casino burned down in "Montreux," Switzerland.  I've mentioned before how DEEP PURPLE then wrote "Smoke on the Water."  I want to hear that song someday. 

              Hey God!  As You know, I actually want to hear DEEP PURPLE'S whole album "Machine Head" because Daisy says our boss likes it so much.   He tells people how he remembers the first time he and his friend "David" heard "Smoke On The Water."  I smell Blinky over there.

          

DEEP PURPLE (CASINO BURNS)

(DECEMBER 4. 1971)   

          

                   Daisy says one time she heard our boss talking with Mr. Rich about DEEP PURPLE'S Machine Head album, and how it was recorded in a Hotel when the place they were supposed to record at burned down with the Casino.   There are some pretty clouds up there in the sky. 

             Mr. Steve met a French lady who told him the Hotel DEEP PURPLE went to when the Casino burned was first built way back in 1840.  She said, in the late 19th century; it was the first place in the whole country of Switzerland to have a telephone.  In French they say Hôtel.  

            Mr. Steve was told DEEP PURPLE'S Guitarist Ritchie Blackmore said the now really famous main "Riff" on Smoke On The Water was him changing a little bit a part of Beethoven's 5th Symphony.  He even joked he "owed Beethoven money."   Boy!  I can't wait to hear it.

                           

 IAN PAICE (EARLY 1970'S)

         

                    Our boss and Mr. Dave both noticed right away that DEEP PURPLE'S Drummer Ian Paice is "Left-Handed."  So his "High Hat," which he uses on the fade out ending of Smoke On The Water" I guess; is on the left side as you face them.   Leo and Cleo just now flew bye.

            Daisy noticed that DEEP PURPLE'S Drummer wears glasses like our boss.  She says Mr. Dave mentioned he played a "small kit" at the time of Machine Head in the early 1970's.  Hey God!  I'm pretty sure I'm right- pawed because that's where I do feel more comfortable.

            The French lady told our boss how the town of Montreux is on the coast of Switzerland's "Lake Geneva."   She said it's "so beautiful," and in the 19th century "high royalty" went there on vacations.  Her brothers and sisters one time went to a "Jazz Festival" they have there. 

        

                   JOHAN SEBASTIAN BACH                        LUDWIG VAN BEETHOVEN

                                   (1685-1750)                                                                                    (1770-1827)   

      

             Mr. Steve was told when people criticized his "simplistic" guitar melody at the start of Smoke On The Water, Ritchie Blackmore supposedly said to them, "Beethoven began some of his Symphonies simply as well."   Two Motorcycles just zoomed bye out there in the desert.

            Daisy says our boss one time told Mr. Rich how he hears that guy "Bach" in Smoke On The Water, especially in the way the Organist Jon Lord plays his lead parts.  But you can kind of hear Bach in the "melodic" guitar solo Ritchie Blackmore plays too he thinks.  I smell Sage.    

            DEEP PURPLE were in Switzerland to make Machine Head, and were going to use this big Truck "Customized" to be used as a "Mobile" or "portable" recording unit.  I guess, it was owned by the ROLLING STONES who made a few albums with it.  I see Andy over there.

               

"ROLLING STONES" MOBILE RECORDING STUDIO         

                   

                One time Dais heard our boss and this father talking about that one ROLLING STONES Truck.  Mr. Steve's father knew that, in the early 1970's; the ROLLING STONES were living in France because of the high taxes back in England.  So, a Mobile Studio was economical.  

           Daisy heard Mr. Dave say over the years a lot of other bands, like the WHO, the original FLEETWOOD MAC and LED ZEPPELIN for example; used the ROLLING STONES' Truck.  And I guess that Jamaican Singer Bob Marley made Reggae songs with it.  I smell Sage. 

           In 1971 Frank Zappa, besides playing the concert at the Casino; was also using that same mobile recording unit when his band was in Switzerland.   I've mentioned how, at his concert where the building burned; a guy shot a "Flare" gun at the roof.  Boy!  What a dumb guy! 

                        

           PIÑON HILLS DESERT                       

                  

            Looking at the desert behind the Sheds, I just thought of how Frank Zappa's band was mentioned on DEEP PURPLE'S song.  So now Dais says, his name is kind of "immortal in time." A slight breeze just brought in the scent of Charlie Company out there in the back field. 

           One time Mr. Rich laughed at how so many kids learning how to play guitar learn Ritchie Blackmore's riff from Smoke On The Water.  And they "repetitiously" play it so much, over and over again; that some guitar shops won't allow it to be played.  Daffy's quacking over there.  

          Yesterday I mentioned that band DREAD ZEPPELIN, who our boss took pictures of on Miss Harriet's job for Music Connection Magazine.  They do LED ZEPPELIN songs in Reggae style, with a Singer who dresses and sound like Elvis.  They "Cover" Smoke on the Water.

            

                    U.S. CONSTITUTION                               CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION  

               (SEPTEMBER 17, 1787)                                                          (PHILADELPHIA / MAY-SEPTEMBER 1887)

                                                                                                                                                                 PAINTING BY HOWARD CHANDLER CHRISTY        

      

            Over the last three days I've learned a lot about the different types of "Governments."  The U.S. is a "Constitutional Democracy" so we have the First Amendment to the Constitution which gives the "Right" for "Free Speech."  A little Sparrow with a twig just ran bye.

           Dais heard our boss's father joke one time how the "right to free speech" just means the government can't "officially" kill you if they don't like what you say.  But the Supreme Court has ruled that right is not unlimited.  The smell of the back desert is so beautiful right now.

          The man on a tv show said free speech does not mean you have the right to yell "Fire" in a crowded Theater.   This is avoid the danger of the weaker, maybe smaller; panicked and scared people getting "Trampled" scrambling to escape.  Wow!  That would be so bad alright!

   

                        JONATHON SWIFT (1667-1745)            MARK TWAIN (1835-1910)

            Our boss thinks Jonathon Swift and Mark Twain. who were both born on November the 30th; came to dislike much about human nature the way Frank Zappa did.  And it's reflected in their writing or music too.  I've mentioned the idea of "Misanthropy" a few times before.  

           Mr. Steve has been told that, on the night of the fire in Switzerland; Frank Zappa walked up to the microphone as the roof ignited.  He was calm at first but then all of a sudden yelled out "Fire."   He and his band ran out of the building but all their equipment got burned up. 

           Frank Zappa, who didn't like that many people; was "cynical  and skeptical" from what Mr. Steve has heard.  His parents were very religious but he wasn't.  I guess, he supposedly told someone he thought, "Stupidity, not hydrogen, is the real building block of the Universe."

  

"STEVE ALLEN SHOW" (1963)

                  Mr. Dave described Frank Zappa as being "unorthodox and eccentric," and others have called him an "Oddball."  When he was twenty two in 1963 he went on the "Steve Allen Show" tv show and proved it.  Alpha Company is going bye out there in the desert behind the Sheds.

            As a guest on the Steve Allen Show, Frank Zappa used two drumsticks and a cello bow to make sounds on the different parts of a bicycle.  He demonstrated to Steve Allen how things you normally wouldn't have thought of like the spokes on a bike can make music.  I smell Sage.   

            Mr. Bob, the Ford Parts Manager in Missouri; was told of this High School poster where Frank Zappa billed his band as being, "Without question the best avant-garde band in the High Desert!" But he joked; they were also the only avant-garde" band in the High Desert. 

  

 HENRY DAVID THOREAU (1819-1892)

             At time I feel kind of like an oddball who "Marches to the beat of a different drum," as that 19th century Writer Henry David Thoreau said he was.  Mr. Steve jokes the older he get the more he feels like that saying applies to him too.   Two Pigeons flew over Libby's Corral.  

            I've mentioned before how "Thoreau" lived in the State of "Massachusetts;" which is near to "Connecticut where Mr. Steve's sister Susan lives with her sons Dalton and Austin.  Of course, as our Chief jokes; most New England States are small so are all near each other. 

        Thoreau, who wrote that book "Leaves of Grass;" inspired Mahatma Ghandi and Martin Luther King to use "Passive Resistance" or peaceful protest.  Like Ulysses S. Grant he thought    the Mexican War of 1846 and 1847 was wrong.  He even went to jail rather than pay taxes.                             

HIGH DESERT MID AFTERNOON SKY

 

              Hey God!  As You know, our Chief says that man Thoreau wrote a lot about Nature and was sort of like Pete Seeger and Albert Einstein in sensing You in life itself.  For these last three days I've kind of felt Your presence.  I feel You now looking around as a matter of fact.

             One time our boss and Miss Babette talked about Thoreau's old book of poems.   He told her how his sister Susan and her sons in Connecticut have a pond on their property, maybe like Thoreau's "Walden's Pond."   Samson and Delilah are now flying over Libby's Corral.

             I've mentioned before how poetry is not something Mr. Steve reads an awful lot of, but says reading Thoreau makes him appreciate the outdoors more.  Hey God!  Thank You for how I feel right now in looking at the eastern desert beyond the Sheds.  A Train whistled faintly.

          

ANDY AND HELEN         

               

                Ah!  I just now noticed Andy and Helen over there standing on their favorite boulder.  I know, even though they're taking a break from being with their new Spring babies; they're very alert just in case Cher of Goliath come around.  Boy!  I'm so lucky to have Daisy around.

            Thoreau wrote about "marching to the beat of a different drum," which is how Mr. Steve thinks of himself.  At times I think that sort of applies to me!   Andy and Helen sniffed the air so just now picking up my scent which floated over there to them from here on the Patio. 

            Mr. Steve jokes the three of us move on a "road less traveled."  But we don't care, and kind of like our drum or road; as long as we have each other around.  Hey Lord!  Many would probably think of me as totally weird because I'm going to such lengths to impress our boss.

            

   ALDOUS HUXLEY /  GEORGE ORWELL        

        

               All of a sudden I just thought of those English Writers Aldous Huxley and George Orwell.  In my books I've learned about them, and how maybe a few of their ideas about the future are coming true; which will be bad for society.  Andy and Helen ran back over to their burrow.

            I've mentioned a few times over the last three days how our boss and his father sometimes think many Americans are living with a "false sense of security."  Because we live in the richest group of people in history, we think it will always be that way.   I can smell some Juniper. 

           Daisy saw a tv show about the original ancient Roman Empire that started in Italy, and the man talked about how when it fell many Romans were surprised.  Mr. Ralph also saw that tv show, and the words "oblivious to the gathering storm" stuck in his head.  I smell Andy.    

        

"TWO FACES"     

          

                 I just thought of how Sister Rita Joseph told her class try to avoid the people with "two faces."   She said it was better "to be alone" than hang around those who are "bad influences," and I completely agree with her.   Ah!  The smell of those new Spring Roses is so great!

            Daisy heard our boss's father say it looks like, because of that "Artificial Intelligence" on computers; some of George Orwell's ideas in "1984" may come true.  The good that comes with the "Internet" is balanced by the potential for bad too.   1984 talks about "Big Brother." 

            Mr. Steve thinks, if popular culture becomes too much a part of people's lives; it might turn out to be like Aldous Huxley wrote about in "Brave New World."  He thought a drug could be used to "preoccupy and pacify" you so you don't notice things.  Leo and Cleo flew bye.  

                                                                  

MR. RALPH       

          

         Daisy and Millie heard Mr. Ralph tell our boss people he worked with are "dos caras," which I've mentioned before means "two faces" in Spanish.  Mr. Ralph thinks some people now  are "phonies," especially "if it involves any money" he jokes.   A Train just whistled faintly.         

            I just thought about how the American "Founding Fathers" created the first government where the people had a lot of the political power.  They thought "Free Speech" had to be part of  it, so "Voters" would be "Informed."  Fannie and Freddie, talking to each other, flew bye.            

           Mr. Ralph thinks many people nowadays are "too easily fooled" by "clever" Politicians or the companies "trying to sell a product."  I guess Frank Zappa, and DEVO too; might agree with him on that subject.   I can smell that clump of Joshua trees over there near Libby's Corral.         

                    

      JOHN ADAMS                                     BENJAMIN FRANKLIN      

(0000-0000)                                                       (1706-1790)          

              

           Mr. Steve read about the "Constitutional Convention" in Philadelphia.  I guess, Benjamin Franklin and that guy John Adams thought; if ever a majority of Americans believed they could vote themselves a "free ride" democracy would not work.  A Motorcycle just zoomed bye. 

           A government can get people to think the way it wants by controlling what's called they're "Purse Strings," which means their money.  The more people "dependent on government," the better for that political party.  Aldous Huxley and George Orwell both wrote about that. 

        I just thought of Daisy up there in the front yard, and that makes me think about the two songs our boss picked for representing she and I.  The more I think about it JUDAS PRIEST'S    "You Got Another Thing Coming" does fit her when she's running alright.  I smell Sage.               

         

                       JUDAS PRIEST                                                        ROXY MUSIC                                

                                      

             I've mentioned a few times in my three books how the flittering oboe in ROXY MUSIC'S song "Virginia Plain" reminds our boss of how I look when I jump and do my Irish jig dance; I kind of match how that oboe jumps around too.  Donald and Daisy are quacking over there.

           Mr. Steve told that kid Jason, I not only at times have a “bouncing gait” like the oboe on Virginia Plain; at other times he can "visualize" me moving to the “atmospheric” synthesizers on that song too.  I just thought of how Mr. Steve described ROXY MUSIC as "futuristic 1950's."   

           I guess, Virginia Plain is on ROXY MUSIC'S first album, and Dais says there are other good songs on it too.  She says Millie liked how the guy who played oboe on Virginia Plain plays saxophone some of them.  Blackbeard and Anne flew over Libby's Corral moving eastward. 

              

"CHA-CHA-CHA" DANCING      

      

            On Virginia Plain the Singer mentions a dance called “Cha Cha."  And Daisy heard our boss and Mr. Rich, who parents are from "Cuba;" talk about how one of Mr. Steve's customers and his wife dance in that style.  I see a few puffy clouds floating way up there in the sky.

            This Encyclopedia says Cha-Cha-Cha began in the 1950's, and "developed" out of these other types of dancing called "Mamba" and "Salsa."   It's not only a style of dancing; Cha-Cha is a type of music that goes along with it too.   I smell Andy over there guarding the burrow.

           Mr. Steve's customer, who's also Cuban I guess; told him the name Cha-Cha-Cha comes from the "shuffling" sound the Dancers feet make as they dance around.  I'll bet that guy Ricky Ricardo, who was from Cuba; knew about the different styles of dancing.  Dawn's barking.  

           

"HAVANA," CUBA  

 

          The Parts Manager told our boss in the 1950's Cha-Cha music was really popular in that city of "Havana."  That was probably when those guys in the "Mafia," like Meyer Lansky for      instance; had some Casino's there.   I can smell Blinky and Rosie standing next to Dawn.              

           I've learned a lot about the island of Cuba over the last three days, and hopefully will keep on learning about places in the Caribbean area for the rest of my life. Daisy and I both want to    be a "Lifetime Learner" like Sister Rita Joseph talked about.  I feel like dancing right now.          

         Fidel Castro, in the late 1950's; took property from the Americans who had been running businesses in Cuba under that Dictator Bautista.  I've said how Mr. Steve and his father in some ways are "Social Democrats."  They think Socialism and Capitalism are both good and bad.                                               THE TROGGS                              SAM KINISON                  JIMI HENDRIX EXPERIENCE       

PHOTO BY STEVE CÓRDOVA          

         

      One time Daisy heard our Chief tell Mr. Mark how another one of my nicknames is "Wild Thing," mainly because when I first came here to live I kind of was wild alright.  Wild Thing is    the title of a 1960's song by a British band called the TROGGS.  That's what Dais told me.            

   Daisy says Jimi Hendrix's English band covered the TROGGS song Wild Thing.  In the TROGGS original version they play flute so I would probably like it she thinks.  Mr. Steve took    pictures of Comedian Sam Kinison whose band did a Hard Rock version of that song I guess.       

         I've mentioned before how, partially because he's played drums; Mr. Steve has always been a pretty good dancer.  But, he jokes he could never have gone on "Soul Train" like Mr. Mark did in back then in the early 1980's.  All four of the Pigeons are now flying over Libby's Corral.

      

"SOUL TRAIN"        

            

             Mr. Mark plays guitar and keyboards but prefers bass, so has a natural feeling for the rhythm or foundation of a song.  Our boss and Mr. Dave play drums so have a similar way of first hearing the "bottom" of most songs.   I wonder if we could have a Dog dance show?  

            Because he's old, our Chief says he looks ridiculous dancing now, even though he knows he can still do it.  His parents met at a dance and enjoyed dancing at places like the Hollywood Palladium in the early 1960's, but his father doesn't want to dance anymore.  I smell Sage.  

           According to what Daisy heard, the last time our boss danced was about ten years ago with a nine year old girl named Elizabeth or "Libby."  It was at one of those "Clubhouses" on a Golf where a "Lounge" band played songs like "La Bamba" and "Louie, Louie."  I like Sage.

            

THE KINGSMEN    

        

                That old song Louie, Louie was originally done by that band from "Oregon" called the KINGSMEN.  Mr. Dave played it, and Ritchie Valens' songs; over the years when he was in one of those "Cover" bands.  Smelling that Sage right now is making me think of Mr. Dave. 

           Daisy says our boss told Mr. Dave when that little girl Libby asked him to dance his "first inclination" was to say no but, she was so pretty and had a "please help me Mr. Steve" look in her eyes.  I guess Mr. Steve tutored Libby and her brothers and sisters for a little while.  

           Once he started dancing our boss actually liked it I guess, especially when the adults liked it and the other kids then wanted to dance too.  The band played Hank Williams songs which had his parents been there might've made them dance.  Boy!  Thank You God for making Sage.

   

                                  THE BEATLES                                                          PINK FLOYD

 

             Oh!  This is a good time to write about some of the "Mistakes" left in "Recordings" of songs over the years.  I was supposed to write about it on Thursday but missed it on my outline, and then did it again yesterday.  So now is the perfect time to write about this subject.

            Our boss has been told that, on the BEATLES' song "Please, Please Me;" there's a part where Paul McCartney and John Lennon sing different lyrics.  But they just left it in and Mr. Steve thinks few, including himself; would've ever noticed it.   Dawn's barking over there.

            The same guy who told Mr. Steve about the BEATLES song also said in PINK FLOYD'S song "Wish You Were Here" one of members coughed but it was again simply left in.   There are a few mistakes in the recording of the KINGSMEN'S Louie, Louie.   I like how Blinky smells.

     

                                     LED ZEPPELIN                                                       THE POLICE

     

                 Daisy heard, the man who told our boss about the mistakes in all those other songs at one time worked at a few different Recording Studios.  He told Mr. Steve on LED ZEPPELIN'S song "The Ocean" a phone ringing got accidentally recorded.  Frida and Diego just flew bye.

           According to what Dais heard, on the POLICE'S "Roxanne" there's a part where that guy Sting sat on a piano and then laughs.   Daisy says the POLICE'S song about  sending a message in a bottle is so good.  Mr. Steve likes it because it's kind of a "heavier version" of Reggae.    

          That guy told our boss in NIRVANA'S  song "Polly" Kurt Cobaine starts to sing too early, but just starts over; and they left the first part in too.  Our boss and Mr. Dave have talked about the Recording Studio in Van Nuys "Sound City."  NIRVANA made that one album there.     

  

THE KINKS (EARLY 1960'S)

      

                That band the KINKS covered Louie, Louie, which I guess was written in 1955; the year our boss was born.  Daisy says Mr. Steve has an old vinyl KINKS record with that song on it.  He used to have a copy from 1963 of the KINGSMEN'S album with their now famous version.

             According to what the man told our boss that time, on the KINGSMEN'S hit version of Louie, Louie the Drummer "misses a beat," but on another part "bails out" or "covered up a mistake made by the Guitarist.   But in 1963 they couldn't afford to re record the whole song.

             I just thought of the Restaurant at Sylmar's "El Cariso" Golf Course, next to "Mission College's" campus Mr. Steve's dad helped get built.  It's the former site of the "S.I.B.L." Little League fields where our boss, his brothers and Mr. Rick played Baseball.  Daffy's quacking.  

                

"EL CARISO" GOLF COURSE (SYLMAR)            

               

                 Daisy says our boss's parents like to go to the Restaurant at the El Cariso Golf Course, and so does Mr. Steve and the rest of the family too.   When they were growing up that whole area was open fields where sometimes Cows grazed.  I see Andy over there looking at me.

            Our boss and Mr. Rick one time remembered learning how to ride a Motorcycle in the fields where the golf course is now.  Their friend Mr. Chris's family lived right across the street from what is now that Mission College campus.  Samson and Delilah are now flying bye.

           I've mentioned before how Mr. Steve's father and Mr. Garcia were also involved in getting Sylmar Independent Baseball League a new location, down in the wash at the end of "Maclay" Street.  Later they even got the "Hang Gliders" a place to land.  Andy's scent floated in.

                  

"BICYCLE BILL"            

             

               One time our boss and Mr. Dave talked about the El Cariso Golf Course Restaurant, and how sometimes there's music there.  A small band who play there is that guy "Bicycle Bill" the "Realtor" on guitar.  I've mentioned how Mr. Steve's mom really likes his wife's singing. 

            It's impressive how Bicycle Bill, who's older than our boss; rides around Sylmar on his bike.  Our Chief told Mr. Dave about his band, and how this guy with one of those "Les Paul" guitars plays with them.  Bicycle Bill, on acoustic guitar;  is a good "Rhythm" Guitarist.

           Our boss says Bicycle Bill is "in good shape."  He doesn't think he could ride a bike all  around Sylmar that much, even though Bicycle Bill doesn't ride around in bad weather or when it's too hot or cold.  Plus, he's like Mr. Steve in getting up early from what Daisy heard.  

         

"MARTIAL ARTS" CLASS

        

                  Daisy says one of the ways that guy Bicycle Bill stays in shape is through "Martial Arts."  I've mentioned how as kids our boss and his brothers took lessons in that "Kung Fu" style called "Tang Soo Do."  Goliath is crawling out into the back field through the thinner left gate slot. 

            When Bicycle Bill and his wife play songs sometimes people get up and dance according to what Dais and Millie heard.  When our boss was dancing with that little girl Libby he showed her how to follow the bass and drums on the songs.  Andy's over there making sure Goliath is gone. 

           On that night dancing with Libby other little girls wanted to dance too so Mr. Steve was eventually surrounded.   When he wanted to stop they begged him not to, so they danced for over an hour.  Mr. Steve says he actually had fun because he enjoys teaching a "receptive audience."   

       

"MAIN STREET" GYM (LOS ANGELES)        

           

             Daisy says sometimes our boss exercises by “Jogging in Place” or “Shadow Boxing.” He does it in his bedroom and living room.  He has a "Heavy Punching Bag" in the garage and told Mr. Gary the Barber he's thinking of hanging it up.   He might buy a "Speed Bag" too.  

            I just thought about that time Mr. Randy joked about Daisy's "chunky build," and how she's "as solid as a Fire Hydrant."  He says in an emergency she'd make a good "Plow" Horse.  I see Libby over there walking slowly around at the back of her Corral along Primavera Road.   

          Boy!  It's too bad all Mr. Steve's Grandparents are gone.  Dais and I would like to go back in time and meet them.  Mr. Steve says his Grandpa Trujillo was so strong he put his arms out to the side and kids could even hang from them.  He had big "Popeye the Sailor" type arms.                                                

  GRANDMA / GRANDPA TUJILLO      

        

            Daisy heard our boss and his mom remember how Grandpa Trujillo would even smoke a cigar and smile while two or three kids tried unsuccessfully to arm wrestle with him.  It was like trying to pull on a piece of steel my boss says.  Samson and Delilah are flying to the east.

           Mr. Steve and his brother Rock played “Street Hockey” as kids when they were growing up.  Our Chief jokes if Daisy were a Hockey Player she'd be what they call a “Grinder” because she's strong like Grandpa Trujillo.  In Hockey Grinders aren't afraid to go “in the corners.”

          If I were a Hockey Player Mr. Steve jokes I'd probably be more of a "finesse" Player like those guys Wayne Gretzgy or Mario Lemieux.  I wonder it there's ever been a Dog who knew how to skate?  Maybe we should invent some Dog skates and possibly make some money!

                           ICE HOCKEY FIGHTS                                

      Daisy would make a tough Hockey player.  She wouldn't be afraid to "mix it up." I wonder if we could learn how to skate?  No, I think I'll just stick to solid more     ground. Daisy has thick fur so wouldn't need "pads" like a regular Hockey player.                         

     In the 1980's when Mr. Steve worked at the Forum as a salesman, he knew the traffic patterns in Los Angeles so adapted to them.  In the mornings he made appointments so by ten the traffic     going south through the Sepulveda Pass would be less.                                                                         

    In the afternoons, to "kill time" and avoid traffic going north on the 405 Freeway, he'd get a "Photo Pass" from this girl named Karen and take pictures of whatever was going on over at the  Forum.  Sometimes it was a Circus and at other times sports.  I'd love to see a Circus!                                           

       

    On those nights when he took pictures at the Forum Mr. Steve would walk back across the street to his car at about eight or eight thirty; sometimes later depending on how he felt.  Then he would drive home and often there would be less traffic.                                                                        

     In the 1980's our Chief says one of the better players was a French Canadian from Quebec named Mario Lemieux.  He played for the Pittsburgh Penguins and was almost as good a player   as that guy named Wayne Gretzky.  That's "saying a lot" Mr. Steve says.                                                                                  

     On time the Penguins were practicing in the morning before a game against the Kings.  After  practice Mr. Steve asked Mario Lemieux if he would mind if he took his picture. Mario Lemieux    said ok.  Mr. Steve shook his hand and thanked him.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               After an Edmonton Oilers practice their goalie Grant Fuhr stopped and posed for a picture too.   Mr. Steve said he liked his mask so he posed with it.  In the late 1980's Wayne Gretzky was  traded by Edmonton to the Kings; "saving" Hockey in Los Angeles our Chief thinks.                                                    

 

      Grant Fuhr was so friendly to Mr. Steve that not only did he stop to take a picture but also gave our boss one of his broken sticks.  My boss then fixed the stick and to this day Daisy says it    sits in a corner of his office next to spears and that blowgun.                                                                                              

    As a kid Mr. Steve often played goalie so Grant Fuhr's stick was great.  In Texas his brother Rock played goalie on an adult Hockey team.  Mr. Steve jokes the way I catch food right out of     the air means I'd be a good goalie.  But how would I catch a puck with a mask on?                        

     Our Chief also jokes that Dais would be a good "checker" if she played Hockey.  She has a lot of power and her herding ability would "come in handy" as they say.  Daisy would be really     good on defence even though she's a Dog.  I agree with Mr. Steve on this.                                        

 

      A nickname our Chief has for Daisy is "King Tiger" because when running she "rumbles" along like a World War II German “Panzer” Tank.   When Daisy gets up what's called a "full head of steam" like a Train she's not fast but gets to a spot quicker than you'd think. 

         Mr. Steve's father was a Marine who fought in the Korean War.  He's now over eighty years old but is still "tough as nails" as that old saying goes  Physically, age or gravity has taken it's toll on our "Grandpa" just as it will with everyone.  But mentally, like Daisy, he's still strong!  

 

       I'll bet Daisy is still thinking about Heathcliff the same way I am.  It's going to weird around here tomorrow morning.  Daisy says we'll just have to do like our Chief does in setting our "body clocks" to wake up when we want or need to.  That's what he's done for years.  

  

LINK WRAY (1929-2005)

         

              I've mentioned before how Daisy's lost a step or two in speed, and now also "picks and chooses" when to run and use her energy.  Our Chief jokes she's our earth moving tractor.  Mr. Randy one time called her "Rumble," after a 1958 song song by this guy named Link Wray.

             Daisy heard our boss play that Link Wray song Rumble for Jason.  I guess it's one of those "Instrumentals" with no singing.  Link Wray's electric guitar tones are "Distorted" and he also uses "Tremelo" sounds.  This Italian Dictionary says how that just means "trembling.    

           Our boss told Mr. Rich he thinks Link Wray's "three chord riff" on Rumble was one of the beginnings for "Hard Rock."  Those "power chords" were described in the 1950's as being "menacing," and people thought they would make teenagers be violent.  Daffy's quacking.

      

                       PETE TOWNSEND (THE WHO)             JIMMY PAGE (LED ZEPPELIN)

      

          Daisy saw a good tv show about 1950's music and one of the guys on it said he thought Link Wray's song Rumble was a "heavier form of Rockabilly,"   That show also mentioned how later Guitarists like Pete Townsend and Jimmy Page were "influenced" by that song.  I smell Sage.     

         One of Mr. Dave's old Motorcycle Shop customers told him some Blues songs from the early 1950's had power chords on acoustic guitar.  I guess, our boss likes the way Link Wray's guitar "vibrates" at the the very end of Rumble.  Boy!  I really want to hear that song someday!

         Even though it now sounds "primitive and outdated," on another tv show Jimmy Page of LED ZEPPELIN said Rumble was the song that "motivated" him to really want to learn to play  guitar.  Jeff Beck and Bruce Springsteen say they were influenced by Link Wray's music. 

  

THE WRAYMEN

           Daisy heard Mr. Dave's Motorcycle Shop customer played guitar, and he said Link Wray grew up in "North Carolina;" being half "Shawnee" Indian.  Our boss still has a few customers left in North and South Carolina.  This small flock of Birds high in the sky is flying bye.

           Mr. Steve read that Neil Young said, if he had a Time Machine like the one Mr. Peabody and Sherman have; he'd go back to the 1950's to see Link Wray's band called the WRAYMEN.  Our boss would probably like that too.  I smell the Joshua tree clump near Libby's Corral.

          The tv show said, in order to get that "distinctive" and "raw" tone on Rumble; Link Wary punched a few little holes in the amplifier speakers.  Mr. Dave and his Motorcycle Shop customer talked about how a Guitarist can just go out and buy a "Fuzz Box."   Andy's looking at me. 

    

THE "SOPRANO'S"    

   

                  I mentioned yesterday when I wrote about the "Mafia" how Mr. Steve's old boss Steve Banks who died really like that tv show called the "Sopranos."  Mr. Steve has never seen it but Steve Banks told him about it I guess.  Andy's scent just came floating into to me right now.

            Daisy one time heard our boss and Miss Susan at work remembering Steve Banks, and his strong personality.  They both miss him at times even though, like Mr. Steve's father; he could be kind of demanding.  The Sopranos is about a "Crime Boss" from New Jersey Daisy heard.

           One time our boss was told older songs were used on the Sopranos.  According to this man one episode even used a KINKS song, and in another one Link Wray's song Rumble is played.  I  just saw Speedy Gonzalez zoom through the right gate slot to go out into the back desert.     

     

      CARLO GAMBINO          ALBERT ANASTASIA                 VITO GENOVESE       

                               (1902-1976)                                               1902-1957)                                                     (1897-1969)                                                                               

            According to what Daisy heard, in the Sopranos the head of an Italian crime family does some bad things during the day.  But then goes back home to a regular house with a wife and two kids. Daisy says it's kind of like Albert Anastasia, the head of "Murder Incorporated;"

            I wrote yesterday about how those two guys Vito Genovese and Carlo Gambino ordered  Albert Anastasia, who killed a lot of people himself; assassinated.  That was in 1957, just eight days after Mr. Steve's brother Rock was born.  All four of the Pigeons are flying to the east.

           Daisy heard the opening scene on each segment of the Sopranos shows the crime boss in his Car just driving back home to his house in "New Jersey."  Mr. Dave said that one cartoon the "Simpsons" made fun of that first opening scene.  I smell the baby Cholla cactus over there.    

          

"WORLD TRADE CENTER" ("TWIN TOWERS")    

       

                 Our boss told Miss Susan Steve Banks told him and Mr. Dennis, in the first season's of the Soprano's; you saw the "Twin Towers" in the rear view mirror of tony Soprano's Car.  When the Planes destroyed them in 2001 the scene was changed.  Ah!  I smell the Twin Joshua's.

           Miss Susan thinks the two buildings of the "World Trade Center" in Tony Soprano's rear view mirror might symbolize him being from New Jersey and not New York City.  In book two I learned about the different organized crime families were from that city.  Daffy's quacking.

           Daisy and Millie one time heard our boss talking with Mr. Dave about that Southern Rock band LYNYRD SKYNYRD.   Mr. Steve bought, and then resold; a few sets of their vinyl records that came out in 1977.   Two of the Pigeons flew over Libby's Corral and are now going east. 

                  

    LYNYRD SKYNYRD (ALBUM COVERS / 1977)     

     

          Daisy heard, that band LYNYRD SKYNYRD are from Florida, and in 1977 some of them died in a Plane crash.  Three days before the accident their album had come out, and the cover    photo showed all of the band members standing in flames.  A new version was "Re-Issued."          

      Twice Mr. Steve has bought and resold the LYNYRD SKYNYRD albums as a set.  Daisy heard the second replacement album cover took a picture which had been on the back of the first version and put it on the front.  Max and 99 zoomed bye and they seem to be so happy today.        

              Mr. Dave, who likes LYNYRD SKYNYRD; thinks that guy Link Wray was a "pioneer" in using "Distortion" on his song Rumble.  Our boss and Mr. Rich talked about how, like his band DRAGPIPE; LYNYRD SKYNYRD used three Guitarists.  Boy!  I feel pretty good right now.  

                                  

THE KINKS  

               I've mentioned before how, in the early 1960's; Dave Davies of the KINKS copied Link Wray.  He made holes in the speakers of his amplifier to get that distorted guitar sound on "You Really Got Me."  Someday I want to hear that song and also "Tired of Waiting For You."

            Daisy and Millie one time heard our boss and Mr. Rich talk about how "Distortion" is when you "change or alter" the sound after it comes out of amplified electric instruments.  Most of the time it's used on guitars but can be used on other instruments too.  A Train whistled.

               I guess, from what the man on the tv show said, "Link" is an abbreviation for "Lincoln,"  Link Wray's actual real first name.  Just like Mr. Steve and Miss Harriet's fathers, Link Wray was a Korean War veteran from what Daisy and Millie heard.   I like how Train's sound.     

                                              

MID-AFTERNOON SKY     

      

         Ah!  I love how the clouds look right now up there in the sky, which makes me appreciate even more how lucky we all are living down here in Piñon Hills.  Hey God!  I also really like how Dais made me feel after that second big break.  It now gives me energy to finish this book.            

          Dais says one time our boss called Millie "Bonzo," which is LED ZEPPELIN'S Drummer John Bonham's nickname.  But, it could be he just called her that, which he also called "Lady;"   because of that British band called the BONZO DOG BAND.  Fannie and Freddie flew bye.   

           In the 1960's the BONZO DOG DOO DAH BAND were popular in England.  They were a comedy band with that song "Can Blue Men Sing the Whites?," which was written because some don't think white people can play Blues music.  They never saw Stevie Ray Vaughn Dais jokes.                                    

BONZO  DOG DOO DAH BAND

            I guess, from what Dais says; our boss still has a few BONZO DOG vinyl records.  Over the years our boss has played them for people, to see if they laugh in understanding the humor.  A lot of Americans don't "get it" he says, like many English people don't get American humor.

           Mr. Phillip from Wales remembers BONZO DOG BAND and also "Monty Python" too.  I guess, after he left BONZO DOG; one of the members then worked on some of the Monty Python movies.   I've mentioned how our boss likes their movie about the search for the Holy Grail.

          Daisy heard our boss and Mr. Dave talk about the big "Gong" LED ZEPPELIN'S  John Bonham had behind his drum set.  Mr. Steve has a miniature gong exactly like the big one John Bonham played.   Mr. Dave noticed John Bonham had one of those "Kettle" drums too.  

                    

                                 JOHNBONHAM                              KEITH MOON / VIVIAN STANSHALL

       

            LED ZEPPELIN'S Drummer John Bonham, just like the WHO'S Drummer Keith Moon, died young because of alcohol and drugs Dais heard.  Both played with a lot of "power and skill" Mr. Dave thinks.  Two Crows are fighting over something out there behind the Sheds.

           This picture shows that guy Keith Moon wearing a Nazi uniform, and the caption says the guy with him wearing the black SS uniform was one of the members of BONZO DOG BAND.  I notice how Keith Moon has a fake Hitler mustache on too.   Frida and Diego just flew bye.  

           Our boss told Mr. Dave and Mr. Rich how he still remembers the first time he heard the KINKS song You Really Got Me.  He was in the "Union" Train Station parking, sitting in their family Car; which was a white 1960 "Cadillac."  Boy!  Those Crows are really fighting.

               

    1960 CADILLAC ("COUP DEVILLE")                    "KRLA" RADIO STATION                                      

            Hey God!  Was it You, when Mr. Steve was turning the knob back and forth on the Car Radio; who made him suddenly hear the first distorted notes of  You Really Got Me?  Dais says it might've been You alright.  He instantly decided "then and there" he liked Hard Rock music.

           Our boss told Mr. Dave it was probably in 1964 when he heard You Really Got Me as his parents picked up a relative at the Train Station.  And it was most likely an "AM" station called "KRLA" he listened to.  The KINKS have a song called "All the Day, and all of the Night." 

           A few years ago one of his Cadillac customers told him there are people now who collect Cars like the 1960 "Coupe DeVille" he was in when he first heard You Really Got Me.  The same is true for his 1968 "Chevelle's," especially his Super Sport version.  I smell Libby over there.  

         

                        "UNION STATION"                                        "OLVERA" STREET

     

        I've written how the original "Pueblo" or town of "Los Angeles" began in 1781.  Union Train Station is near "Olvera" Street, where the first settlement was; and on that day at Union    Station Mr. Steve was looking across "Alameda" Street.  "Calle" is "street" in Spanish.               

      Boy Blessed Mother!  It's a good thing the original city name of, "El Pueblo de Nuestra Senora la Reyna de Los Angeles de Porcuincula; was just shortened to Los Angeles.  It would be a hard thing to have to remember all the time.  I can see Andy over there sniffing the air.               

         It's so interesting Blessed Virgin how the actual real name for L.A. would be translated as being, "The Town of Our Lady Queen of the Angels from Porcuincula."  As I've said before, the name "Porcuincula" comes from the name of a River back in Spain.   I like Andy's scent.                           

REENACTMENT OF FOUNDING OF LOS ANGELES (1781)

                   

       As I've mentioned, since 1928 Mr. Steve's Grandpa Trujillo worked loading and unloading freight for the Santa Fe Railroad.  So their family got free Train trips back and forth from New Mexico.  Mr. Steve is very familiar with Union Station in downtown Los Angeles.   

          

      I guess in 1781 when the city was first established, the real original name given to the city by the forty four first "Pobladores" or "Townspeople" was "El Pueblo de la Reyna de los Angeles."  This means "The Town of the Queen of the Angels."  I smell some Cholla cactus.

      Mr. Steve has always enjoyed walking around the brick Olvera Street with its Mexican craft shops, restaurants and other businesses.  It says here in this Encyclopedia that after Los Angeles became part of Mexico in 1821 Olvera Street was part of the farming community.

      California was "Ceded" to the United States when Mexico lost the Mexican War back then in 1848.  I wrote about it the day before yesterday in book one.  So of course Los Angeles became a part of the U.S. too.  A Ground Squirrel just ducked under Jack the big Shed. 

      In 1877 Olvera Street was named after a Judge who had fought against the Americans in the Mexican War.  His name was Agustin Olvera.  This was one year after America's one hundred year anniversary; and the Sioux slaughtering Custer's 7th Cavalry at the Little Big Horn.

      My Encyclopedia says by the turn of the 20th century the area where Olvera Street is located became what they call "crime-ridden" and dirty.  But then a rich British lady named Christine Sterling decided to try to raise money and "bring the Olvera Street back" as they say.    

    

                                                   CHRISTINE STERLING (1881-1963)

 

      From what it says here in this Encyclopedia that lady Christine Sterling "used her influence" with people like the owner of the Los Angeles Times newspaper to make improvements to Olvera Street.  In 1929 they began work but then in October the Stock Market crashed.

      I guess some people now call that lady Christine Sterling the "Mother of Olvera Street" even though she had critics who said she didn't consult the Mexican "residents" enough back then in restoring the area.  Olvera Street was improved during the 1930's Great Depression.

      This is interesting.  It says here that as part of the project at Olvera Street this Mexican man named David Alfaro Siqueros was "commissioned" to paint a big "mural" on one of the walls in that area.  My Dictionary says commissioned means that he was "hired."

     

                                                DAVID ALFARO SIQUEROS (1896-1974)

         

        From what it says here in this Encyclopedia a lot of people didn't like the painting that guy Siqueros did because it criticized the "imperialist" United States.  So they painted over it and it wasn't uncovered until the 1960's.  Oh!  It was damaged in the 1971 Sylmar earthquake.

    Mr. Steve says he's always had a "soft spot" for Union Station.  In this Encyclopedia it says it was built in 1939, the year World War II started.  Mr. Steve told us how Union Station's waiting areas have these big "throne-like" chairs below "Chandelier" lights up on the ceiling.

     

   THE KINKS

           I just thought of how Mr. Steve was sitting in the parking lot at Union Station when he first heard that KINKS' song "You Really Got Me."  I've mentioned how he heard it on the Car    Radio waiting for his parents to pick up Grandma Trujillo from the Train.  Dawn's barking.       

            Boy!  I wish I could go back in time to see when when our boss heard the first four notes of You Really Got Me.  In that instant he realized he liked "Heavy" or "Hard" Rock, and it was like one of those "Eureka" moments I've written about.   A "light bulb went on" he says.             

            I look forward to someday hearing all of those good KINKS' songs Daisy's told me about.  There are so many she says.  That's why our boss and his brother Rock back there in Texas have liked them for all of these many years.   I want to hear the one about the girl named "Lola."      

                      

  JIMMY PAGE (LED ZEPPELIN)     

       

           One time Daisy and Millie heard our boss talking with Mr. Dave about how for years it was rumored Jimmy Page, as a young Session Musician; actually played the famous lead guitar on You Really Got Me.  But he's denied it I guess.  Two of the Pigeons are flying to the east.

          I've mentioned a few times over the last three days how Jimmy Page was later in both the YARDBIRDS and then LED ZEPPEIN.  Now the other two Pigeons are also moving together to the east.  Ah!  Two what look like boy Sparrows are fighting and chasing each other.

         Mr. Steve thinks it's probably not true  Jimmy Page did the lead on You Really Got Me.  It doesn't matter he says, because he saw the KINKS Dave Davies play that lead a few times in the concerts.  But Jon Lord, later in DEEP PURPLE, really did play keyboards on that song.  

   

               "SHRINE" AUDITORIUM                                    KANSAS FIRST ALBUM                  

                                      

            In my three books I've mentioned that 1974 KINKS / KANSAS concert Mr. Steve, his girlfriend Sandy; and their friend "Chris" and his girlfriend "Lisa" saw down at the "Shrine" Auditorium.  KANSAS "Opened Up" for the KINKS, "a big mistake" Mr. Steve says now.  

           As I've mentioned before, the only KANSAS song I've ever heard is "Dust in the Wind."    At the Shrine Auditorium KANSAS played songs from that first album with John Brown's image on the cover.  The strong scent of some of those Beavertail cactus's just floated in to me.

           Daisy heard KANSAS'S first album and one time our boss and Mr. Dave talked about it. The KINKS are not known as "Technically" great Musicians, and from the very first song it was obvious KANSAS definitely were.  Daisy and Millie really liked how they have a Violinist.

                  

KANSAS         

              

         Dais heard our boss tell Mr. Dave he thinks KANSAS began their set at the Shrine with the song "Can I Tell You," but it might've been "Belexes."  Whichever one it was, Mr. Steve says he  and his friend Chris looked at each other knowing the KINKS were in trouble.  I smell Sage.        

       KANSAS plays "Progressive" Rock like RUSH or YES, what Mr. Dave calls "Symphonic" Rock;" with so many "Stop and Go" or "Time and Tempo" changes in their songs.   Besides the good flute playing, that's one of the things I like about GENESIS'S song "Musical Box" too.         

        From what Daisy heard, our boss told Mr. Dave to listen to KANSAS' song "Journey From Mariabronn."  KANSAS' Guitarist named Kerry Livgren wrote it and says it was influenced by the German Writer Hermann Hesse.  Samson and Delilah are flying over Libby's Corral.                                                 

KERRY LIVGREN      

          

          Hey Lord!  As You know, Daisy heard our boss say that guy Kerry Livgren now only plays music devoted to You.  Mr. Steve thinks he's such a talented Guitarist and also writes good songs. His KANSAS song "Mysteries and Mayhem" was also influenced by Herman Hesse's books.        

         I've mentioned how the members of KANSAS really are from that State, not a place many Rock bands come out of.  Our boss one time told Mr. Rich, who played guitar in DRAGPIPE;      Kelly Livgren is a good "rhythm and lead" Guitarist.  Andy's over there sniffing the air.               

         Our boss told Mr. Dave how KANSAS ended their amazing set at the Shrine with that song Journey From Mariabronn, which finishes with one of those "Soaring Crescendo's."  Mr. Chris joked "whoever let KANSAS open up for the KINKS should be fired."  Daffy's quacking.          

         

KANSAS      

          

         Daisy told me one time how KANSAS' Violinist adds so much to make their songs sound unique.  Our boss and Mr. Dave, because they play drums; of course noticed how well the Bassist and Drummer seem to work together.  Blackbeard and Anne just flew over Libby's Corral.           

          I guess Daisy noticed, KANSAS' Organist is also the lead Singer on a lot of the songs; but at times the Violinist sings lead too.  Dais heard Mr. Dave say he likes the "harmony" singing on  songs they sing together.  He jokes how at times they even sound "as good as the BEE GEES."     

          From what Dais heard, when they sing in harmony; KANSAS' Organist does the "higher" part while the Violinist blends in with his "lower" sounding voice.  The Violinist is the one who    talks to the people between songs.  He's the "M.C.," or "Master of "Ceremonies" as they say.                            

  PHIL TAYLOR (MÖTORHEAD)                                 PHIL EHART (KANSAS)             

PHOTO BY DICK WALLACE                                                                                                                                                                                       

          

        Our boss told Mr. Dave to listen closely to KANSAS's song Journey From Mariabronn.  Even though that first KANSAS album came out in 1974, and the Drummer then used only one    bass drum; one section sure sounds like he's using two.  Cher went out into the back field.            

        Many trace the "Frenetic" double bass drum sound to 1979 when MÖTORHEAD'S Phil Taylor did that song I've mentioned before called "Overkill."  Daisy says it sounds like his two      feet on bass drums are going at a really fast pace.  I can't wait to someday hear that song.              

       Mr. Dave's old Motorcycle Shop customer in "Georgia" told him KANSAS' Drummer Phil Ehart and his wife have an "Autistic" boy.  They raise money for charity.  I've mentioned before how that one Football Player named Doug Flutie and his wife also have an Autistic son too.                       

            ICARUS                                     EDITH HAMILTON (1867-1963)

               

          Daisy heard our boss and Mr. Dave talk about how KANSAS has a song about that guy "Icarus."  Icarus's father, to help him escape from that famous "Labyrinth" on the island of        "Crete;" built him a set of wings.  I guess that lady Edith Hamilton wrote about that "Myth."     

            I've mentioned King "Minos" of Crete's Labyrinth before.  In the story "Bee's Wax" was used to hold together the feathers on Icarus's wings, so his dad told him not to fly too close to the Sun; but he ignored the warning so the wax melted and he "Fell to Earth."  I smell old Sage.        

        KANSAS, a few after Mr. Steve and Sandy saw them at the Shrine Auditorium; did that song I've heard called "Dust in the Wind."  I guess, the 1975 album the song about Icarus was on was called "Masque."  Our boss has one of those big vinyl records of it according to Daisy.                  

MR. DAVE ("DRUMMER DAVE")

             Daisy heard our boss tell Mr. Dave he played that really good KANSAS song "Carry On My Wayward Son" for his parents.  They're not Rock fans but both appreciated what Mr. Steve calls "Art Rock."  He thinks GENESIS' song "Musical Box" is that too and I agree with him.

            Over the years I guess Mr. Steve has played that KANSAS song "Carry On" for people who've never heard it; just to see their reaction.  Some are impressed by those two guys singing harmony, other people notice the really good musicianship Dais says.  Sage smells so great! 

           From what Dais and Millie heard, that one KANSAS song Carry On was also written by Kerry Livgren.  Hey Lord!  I really look forward to someday hearing that song because Daisy says some people react to it with a feeling of "Rhêma."  It's like a "Gospel" song to them.     

THE "PRODIGAL SON" (BOOK OF "LUKE"     

        

             Hey Lord!  As I mentioned yesterday, Mr. Steve thinks that song Carry On may be about the story You told of the "Prodigal Son."  Daisy heard it's a "Parable" You used to teach people some lessons.  Cher just now used the right vertical gate slot to go out into the back desert.  

            Dais says Lord, in the Prodigal Son story You were saying you have to "Repent," or admit your guilt; and then the other "Aggrieved" person should "Forgive" you.  Mr. Dave read Kerry Livgren said Carry On is a partially an "autobiographical" song.  I can't wait to hear it.

           On Carry On  Mr. Steve's father noticed the lyrics, "I was soaring ever higher but I flew too high."   He thought it referred to getting "Overconfident" like Icarus in the old Greek story.  Andy's sniffing the air and probably smells the scent Cher left behind like I am right now.   

SOCRATES / PLATO / ARISTOTLE

    

                Our boss told Mr. Dave his father also noticed on that song Carry On how Kerry Livgren wrote, "If I claim to be a wise man, it surely means I don't know."  It reminded him of that quote from "Socrates, "The more you know, the more you know you don't know."  I smell Sage.

            Daisy one time heard Mr. Steve's father refer to those three ancient Greek Philosophers the "Big Three."  I'm so glad I got to learn so much about each of them over the last three days, so thank You so much Everyone up there.  I can't wait for my boss to read my three books.   

           One time our boss and Mr. Mark remembered a girl named "Sue," who also worked at the Forum in the mid-1080's.  She was originally from "Kansas" and was a nice person.  She used to get Mr. Steve "Photo Passes" to take pictures of the events across the street at the Forum.

CLAIRE ROTHMAN

    

             All of a sudden I just thought of that one lady Claire Rothman, who was the "General Operations Manager" at the Forum; and sometimes also got our boss Photo Passes too.   She's proof females can be as capable as any male Mr. Steve thinks.  Frida and Diego flew bye.  

            Dais says our boss told Mr. Dave how, back in 1974 as he watched that guy Kelly Livgren playing lead guitar on some of those KANSAS songs, he thought of Jimi Hendrix.   Andy's over there sniffing the air in making sure Goliath or Cher aren't around.  I like smelling him.      

                 If he could go back in time Daisy thinks our boss, and probably Mr. Dave too; would want to see Jimi Hendrix play.  I've mentioned how Mr. Doug down there in Sylmar saw him play at "Devonshire Downs" near the C.S.U.N. campus.  Seeing Andy makes me feel good right now.

                        

  JIMI HENDRIX ESPERIENCE                             THE MONKEES                  

              

             One time our boss and Mr. Mark talked about Jimi Hendrix and how, in 1967; his band the JIMI HENDRIX EXPERIENCE were hired to be the "Opening Act" on a tour with that other band the MONKEES.  A Bunny Rabbit hopped out into the desert behind the Sheds.

            A customer told our boss his wife and sister saw Jimi Hendrix play on that MONKEES tour in 1967.  They were teenagers and didn't really like Jimi Hendrix that much, but didn't boo or get mad like a lot of the audience did then.  Daisy says those girls are called "Teeny-Bop."

           I guess, after a few bad experiences, the JIMI HENDRIX EXPERIENCE stopped playing before the MONKEES came on.   Our boss and Mr. Mark both think it's sort of funny how one of the best Guitarists in history was booed by a crowd.  That was what's called a "Bad Bill."    

                           

  JOHN BROWN BEING LED TO EXECUTION        

  PAINTING BY THOMAS HOVENDEN         

      

           Mentioning KANSAS makes me suddenly think about that guy John Brown, whose image is on the front that first album.  Daisy says our boss said, a few days after he and Chris saw and heard KANSAS at the Shrine Auditorium; they bought that first album.  Daffy's quacking.

           The caption below that painting of John Brown being "led to execution" after failing to "ignite" a "slave revolt" in Virginia.  That was in 1859, about two years before the Civil War.  Mr. Steve's parents saw that one painting at New York City's "Metropolitan" Museum. 

           Our boss told Mr. Dave he and Chris bought KANSAS' first album at this "Record" store called "Moby Disc."  Daisy heard it was in that city "Van Nuys" and Mr. Steve and Miss Sandy enjoyed going there with friends to buy and sell vinyl records.  I like having Daffy around.   

          

JOHN BROWN (1800-1959)   

           

            I just thought of that guy John Brown, who I've already mentioned a few times over the last three days.  He's in that painting on the front of KANSAS' first album.  Hey God!  It's sort of interesting how the painting shows him holding a Gun in one hand, and a Bible in the other.

           I've said before how John Brown how was one of those "Abolitionists."  But he thought it was going to take violence to end Slavery in America, so was not like that Writer Henry David Thoreau; or Mahatma Gandhi or Martin Luther King a century later.  A Train whistled.

          Hey God!  I guess John Brown didn't think non-violent "Passive Resistance" would work in the mid-19th century United States.  Mr. Steve says "sanctioned" and "official" legal slavery has almost always exited in man's history.  Now slavery is "unofficial" but is still slavery.  

             

   JOHN LOCKE                      VOLTAIRE                        ROUSSEAU          

                        (1632-1704)                          (1694-1778)                         (1712-1778)                                          JACQUES AUGUSTIN CATHERINE PAJOU                           GODFREY KNELLER                                           MAURICE QUENTIN DE LA TOUR                   

              

            I just thought about the 18th century European "Enlightenment," and that English guy John Locke.   I've written before about some of his ideas, and those of those French Philosophers Voltaire and Jean-Jacques Rousseau's.  Blackbeard and Anne are flying toward the east.    

           This one Encyclopedia calls John Locke the "Father of Liberalism," who was one of those "Empiricists."   I notice again how that man Voltaire, whose name is just his "Pen" name, died on May the 30th, which is also Mr. Steve's Niece Raqquel's birthday.  A Train just whistled

           Whereas John Locke wrote about people having the right  to "life, liberty and the pursuit of property," Thomas Jefferson changed it later in the American "Declaration of Independence" to "life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.  I've written about it before.  I smell Mesquite.

                  

                        U.S. CONSTITUTION                        CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION

 (1787)       

                                                                                                                                                 PAINTING BY HOWARD CHANDLER CHRISTY

   

         In my books I've written about the difference between "Autocracy" and "Democracy," and "Socialism" versus "Capitalism."   The Founding Fathers, at that 1787 convention in the city of  "Philadelphia;" created a democratic and capitalist nation or "Republic."  Dawn's barking.          

          Mr. Steve and his father think slavery has always existed in almost every part of the Earth.  Even here in America before the Europeans arrived the Native People's had slavery.  Since the early 17th century when the Pilgrims first established Jamestown blacks were enslaved.

          After the Revolutionary War, after those thirteen "Colonies" broke away from England; a  few of them still allowed Slavery.   And the Constitution allowed it too, which began the seventy year road to the American Civil War in 1861.  I smell Blinky and Rosie standing near Dawn.

  

THOMAS JEFFERSON (1743-1826)

PAINTING BY REMBRANDT PEALE        

          

            I've written before about how our boss, and his father; think that when Thomas Jefferson wrote "All men are created equal," he most likely was not thinking of women or all the different racial minorities.  And he might've thought only "Land Owning" white men should vote.  

           Mr. Steve thinks, George Washington and Thomas Jefferson owned Slaves but believed in their humanity.  But, as I've said a few times over the last three days; like most Europeans then he thought they had a Soul but were just "Inferior" forms of humans.  I like Dawn's voice.  

          It's so interesting how the Founding Fathers, when they wrote the Constitution in 1787; for "Representational" purpose counted blacks as "Three Fifths" of a person.  The 13th, 14th and 15th Amendments to the "Bill of Rights gave blacks rights.  That was after the Civil War.

           

     CIRCLING CROWS            

PHOTO BY GUDELLA              

         

            For the last few minutes there's been a group of Crows circling over the desert to the east.  Ah!  I knew they were waiting for something and sure enough they're all now diving down to the ground below, racing to get there first.   The mid-afternoon blue sky is so pretty right now.

            Under the U.S. Constitution the "Federal" Government has those three "Branches."  I've written how the "Legislative" branch makes laws, the "Executive" branch implements laws; and the "Judicial" branch interprets them.  And each was to "Check and Balance" each other.  

           I just thought of how, with the invention of the steam engine in the late 18th century; the "Industrial Revolution" began in Europe.  So more factories were built in the cities.  Ah!  Those Crows are fighting over something out there in the desert and it must be worth fighting for.

             

                "COTTON GIN"                        "PLANTATION"                    19TH CENTURY SLAVES

             

            Daisy and Millie saw that good tv show about the Industrial Revolution and it mentioned how, with the invention of that "Cotton Gin;"  more cotton could be grown.  It made it easier to "Process" the cotton, but also made it necessary to use more Slaves too.  Daffy's quacking.

          This one Encyclopedia says a Cotton Gin machine, invented in 1794; made it much easier to "separate" the actual cotton from its seeds.  But, since more cotton could be grown and then "harvested;" the more Slaves were needed too.   The Crows are still out there yelling.   

          I've written about how, from the early 19th century up until the Civil War broke out; the South remained "Agrarian" while parts of the North became more "Mechanized."  So, in 1861 when the Civil War broke out; there were about four million Slaves.  I smell a Joshua tree.    

                    

      U.S. WESTWARD EXPANSION (19TH CENTURY)

      

      As the years went on the United States kept expanding westward.  And the issue of whether to allow Slavery in the new areas kept coming up.  So, in 1820 the "Missouri Compromise" was agreed to in   

      It says here that for about thirty years things went along with people arguing about Slavery. Then in 1854 the Congress passed the "Kansas-Nebraska Act." 

        It says here that in the years "leading up to" the breakout of the American Civil War the United States was "expanding" westward.  And in 1856, four years before the war, the people of what would become the state of Kansas fought over whether to allow Slavery to exist.

       Wow!  That guy John Brown had twenty children.  And he, with some of his sons, went out to Kansas Territory to fight people who wanted Slavery in any new State.  I guess it was called "Bleeding Kansas."  I can hear two Crows out in the desert fighting over something.

       According to what it says here in this one Encyclopedia, in 1856, just like in most wars; both sides committed "terrible atrocities."  John Brown and his sons "hacked" people to death with swords.  Samson and Delilah are cruising bye right now; cawing at each other.  

       Daisy told me in his Office our Chief has some swords and spears.  And one of the swords is "saber" like the ones John Brown and his sons used to kill their opponents in Kansas.  He also has a fake bugle and some military "Kepi" hats from the time of the Civil War.

       From what it says in this Encyclopedia, John Brown came back from Kansas.  And in 1859, about a year before the Civil War; he and his followers tried to "incite" a Slave "insurrection."  That means they wanted the Slaves to "rise up" and revolt against their masters. 

       I guess, in 1859 John Brown and those under him "raided" a Federal "Armory" in this town called Harper's Ferry; which is in the State of Virginia.  An Armory is where they keep weapons. John Brown wanted to use those guns to supply the Slaves in their "uprising."

      Unfortunately, John Brown's idea didn't work and he was captured by Robert E. Lee.  Even President Lincoln was mad at him.  So, John Brown was put on trial and sentenced to death.  He was hung but many people think he "set in motion" the road to the Civil War.     

      This is interesting.  Some people said while being led out of jail to be "executed" John Brown kissed a Slave baby.  But I guess that others say this event could not have happened because the "authorities" would never have allowed a white person to kiss a black person.

      Mr. Steve one time told Daisy and Millie that what John Brown did back in1859, along with the Dred Scott case from 1857; were factors in bringing about Abraham Lincoln's 1860 election as President and then the outbreak of the Civil War a year later.  I smell Juniper. 

     

ULYSSES S. GRANT" HIGH SCHOOL                                         TOTO                               

               

            Oh!  I forgot tow write about Session or "Studio" Musicians.   That band TOTO were all Session Musicians for a long time.  I've mentioned how they went to "Grant" High School in Van Nuys, next to "Valley" College, where our boss and Sandy went.  The Hens are cackling.  

           "Grant," named after that guy General Grant; is where Miss Harriet, Mr. Doug and also  Samantha's boyfriend Rick went to High School.  And so did that Kickboxer Benny Urquidez.  I just looked up and noticed two long vapor trails crisscrossed way up there in the high sky.  

           I was supposed to write more about Session Musicians when I talked about how Jimmy Page is rumored to have played the lead guitar on that song You Really Got Me.  But, I kind of went on another tangent in talking so much about Kansas and then later John Brown. 

     

 THE FUNK BROTHERS   

    

           One time Daisy heard our boss talking with Mr. Rich about the FUNK BROTHERS, who were those Session Musicians who played the music on many of the early 1960's "Motown" hits. I've said before how that's short for "Motor Town."  That's what "Detroit" is called. 

           Someday I want to hear those Motown songs Dais told me Millie liked so much.  One was by the SUPREMES, another one by the TEMPTATIONS; and it was the FUNK BROTHERS who did the music.  Mr. Steve thinks it's sad they got paid so little for all that great music.

           Boy!  Those FUNK BROTHERS should've come out here to California in the early 1960's. That lady Carol Kaye and all the guys in the WRECKING CREW were being paid well for ding "Session Work."  They played on not just albums but also a lot of tv and movie songs too.  

                     

 CAROL KAYE       

         

              During the 1960's that lady Carol Kaye made a lot of money playing bass guitar on a lot of famous songs.  But, like the FUNK BROTHERS; did so almost "Anonymously;" or without "Formal" recognition.  Carol Kaye played on the BEACH BOYS "Good Vibrations."  

             Daisy and Millie saw a tv show that said, here in Los Angeles; Carol Kaye and the other Musicians called the WRECKING CREW not only played on albums; they were also heard on movie and tv songs.  And many commercials too.  Frida and Diego are flying bye right now.

            Mr. Dave told our boss how he once heard Session Musicians described as being sort of like those 19th century "Guns for Hire" out in the West.  I guess, that guy Billy the Kid was one of those during New Mexico's "Lincoln County Wars."  I can smell the baby Cholla cactus.

  

JEFF PORCARO (1954-1992)

   

                  Three "Porcaro" brothers, Jeff, Steve and Mike; were in TOTO.  I've mentioned how Mr. Rick played on a Grant High School Football team where their sister was a "Cheerleader."  Jeff's father was also a Drummer, and he was teaching his three sons to play too I guess.

              Mr. Dave heard Jeff Porcaro died by accidentally inhaling "Insecticide" he was spraying on his garden.   Daisy heard Mr. Dave call him a "feel" and "groove" Drummer, who never did a "Solo;" and often believed in the idea that "Less is More" in his playing.  Dawn's barking.

              I guess TOTO, being Session Musicians; were "Versatile" so had elements of Pop, Soul, Funk  and Jazz in their songs.  Our boss likes their Progressive Hard Rock.   I've mentioned how in Latin the word "toto" is "all encompassing, in Spanish "todo" can mean "everything."    

  

                                     SONNY AND CHER                                      SEALS AND CROFTS

                                                                                                                                                    PHOTO BY MICHAEL OCHS

       

                Daisy heard, as a teenager; Jeff Porcaro played with SONNY AND CHER, later playing on SEALS AND CROFTS song "Diamond Girl."  SEALS and Crofts' families lived over in "San Fernando." Dan Seals was born on October the 17th just like our boss's brother Rock. 

            Oh!  What a coincidence that, just as I happen to mention SONNY AND HER who do I see?  Cher's been sleeping on top of Moe and I didn't even notice her go up there.  A few Crows are flying around in the back desert, and I'm pretty sure a few of them are fighting males. 

            Mr. Dave said one of his old Motorcycle Shop customers once told him, even though he went to Grant for High School; he was born back there in "Hartford" Connecticut.  Mr. Steve's sister Susan, and her sons Dalton and Austin; live in that State.  Andy's sniffing the air.

               

                 ED "BIG DADDY" ROTH (1932-2001)                            MR. RICH

             

                Over the last three days I've mentioned a few times how, Mr. Rich not only admires that guy "Big Daddy" Roth's art; he follows his rules for life too.   And one rule is to always "Be on Time."   I guess Jeff Porcaro's father, and Mr. Steve too; also really believe in that idea. 

            I've mentioned before how the two biggest sales Mr. Steve has ever made were partly due  to his showing up early for appointments.  It was the Secretaries, and later the guys themselves; who liked how he always showed up early for the different things.  Leo and Cleo flew bye. 

           That "Wrought Iron" Dragon Mr. Rich welded together, sitting under Mr. Steve's office; showed skill to make.  Mr. Steve senses the "spirit" of Big Daddy Roth's "Kustom Kulture" in it.  "Big Daddy," a month younger than Mr. Steve's dad; has already died a few years ago. 

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

"HELL'S ANGELS" (1960'S)

          

              One morning, as he watered that big Mulberry tree up there in the front yard; our boss told Mr. Randy he still remembers how it felt to shake Big Daddy Roth's large hand.   That was at the "San Fernando Drag Strip" in the late 1960's.  A small group of Sparrows flew bye.

           Mr. Steve recalls how Big Daddy Roth, on that day he and his friends shook his hand; was trying to "Pitch" this Magazine called "Choppers."  I've mentioned before how that's what they call those big Motorcycles some people like those "Hell's Angels" ride.  Dawn's barking.

           Dais says Mr. Dave heard, obviously before he became a Mormon; Big Daddy Roth was a "Biker" who most likely drank, took drugs and fought a lot.  Hey Lord!  But, I guess he must've changed once he moved his family to Utah as a "Latter Day Saint."  Two Crows are fighting.    

                         

  MIKE PORCARO       

            

            Mr. Dave said he ran into one of his old Motorcycle Shop customer's who told him Jeff Porcaro's brother Mike, TOTO'S Bassist; has that "Lou Gehrig's Disease" I've written about.   Mr. Steve found out Mike Porcaro is only a few months older than he is.   Dawn's barking.

            I guess, Mr. Dave's old customer also told him this "Memorial" fund in the name of Jeff Porcaro was set up, to help Grant High School's art and music departments.  Cher woke up.  I see two really long vapor trails being created way up there in the beautiful high blue sky.

           From what our boss heard, Jeff Porcaro was also like Big Daddy Roth and Mr. Rich in being hard workers.  But if, as he went along and felt he wasn't right for a job; he'd admit it and tell the person hiring him he'd call in "someone better suited."  Cher's yawning right now.  

      

 MR. MARK         

        

        Daisy and Millie heard TOTO'S song about Africa, the one I mentioned in my first book when I wrote about that other band WEEZER.   Mr. Mark in Hawaii thinks all African countries should unite like a big political "Union."  Maybe they'd have more power then he thinks.             

           From what Dais told me, TOTO'S song "Africa" has such good "Harmony" singing in it.    She thinks I'd really like the flute parts, and Millie thought it showed how talented the different  members of TOTO really are.  Cher went back to sleep over there on top of Moe I notice.              

          Mr. Dave heard Jeff Porcaro co-wrote TOTO'S song about Africa, which he thinks has "Indonesian" drums in it.  Mr. Dave called his "drum pattern" on TOTO'S other song about a    girl named "Rosana" a "half time shuffle."  On Africa he doesn't "over use" the cymbals.            

                            

"CREATION"        

             

        Hey God!  Mr. Dave read how TOTO'S Keyboardist David Paich, who wrote the lyrics to "Africa; was raised Catholic.  Dais heard the first time he sang the "Chorus" by himself he said he suddenly felt like he was "channeling" You.  A Freight Train whistled faintly to my left.            

         Mr. Mark likes the "subtle Afro beats" Jeff Porcaro plays on TOTO'S song about Africa, and jokes TOTO'S harmony singing is "BEE GEES level."  He noticed the way Steve Porcaro used a synthesizer to sound just like a "Vibraphone."  I can smell Cher over there on Moe.           

          Daisy says our boss thinks there were probably some people who didn't like two white guys from Los Angeles writing about Africa.  But when you hear the lyrics, "I bless the rains down in Africa" being sung in such a beautiful way you "have to like it" Dais thinks.  I like Cher.             

           

       "MOUNT KILIMANJARO"                         "SERENGETI" WATERING HOLE         

             

             Dais is so lucky because she heard TOTO'S song about Africa a few times when our boss played it for Jason.  She says Mr. Mark noticed how the lyrics mention "Mount Kilimanjaro,"      and those "Serengeti" plains.  That song sounds so good played really loud Daisy thinks.               

       Mr. Dave mentioned Mike Porcaro's "subtle melodic" bass line on Africa, and the two "runs" he does on the "Fade Out" at the end of the song.  The "high pitched" singing by a girl    who comes in on the final section is "inspiring."  Daisy heard our boss call it "soaring."             

             I remember that one morning last Summer when Mr. Steve told Mr. Mike he used to have a copy of TOTO'S fourth album.  It had that song Africa, and also this other one about this girl    named "Rosana."  But he sold it to a lady from Massachusetts who really, really wanted it.           

              

"TOTO IV" (1982)         

             

          Mr. Ralph, who walked around the Grant High School campus that time with our boss; read TOTO'S song about Africa was almost not even put on that album.  Mr. Steve sold things to a lady from "Hidden Hills," where Jeff Porcaro lived at the time of his death.  I smell Sage.          

         Daisy thinks it's such a good thing TOTO decided to use their song about Africa, as the tenth and final song on that album; because it turned to be a big hit.  Two Crows are fighting out in the desert, and it sure sounds like two boys competing for a girl.  Ah!  Sage is so great.               

         Our boss likes the version of Africa where, before and after the main body of the song; a "Conga" drum player and Jeff Porcaro "Lay Down" the steady beat  of the song.  That African-sounding "Beat" creates a "Vibe" Mr. Mark told our boss.  It's like "Rhêma!" Daisy thinks.        

             

MR. MARK

          

       Daisy, and Millie too; liked TOTO'S "Anthemic" harmonies on Africa, and both "felt a Rhâma type thrill" when the "high-pitched" Singer comes in at the end of the song.  One of the        lyrics is, "Wild Dogs cry out in the night" I guess.  Wow!   I really want to hear that song.         

         Mr. Mark thinks TOTO'S song is possibly about a guy's love for the beautiful land, history and people of Africa; but it could just be about a girl he likes.  Daisy says in one good part Steve  Porcaro plays a piano solo "note for note" with the flute .  I smell the baby Cholla cactus.             

     Boy!  I can't wait to someday hear so many good songs, like those 1970's BEE GEES love songs Daisy likes.  Ah!  Right now smelling Rosie over there standing next to Dawn and Blinky      makes me wonder what AC/DC'S song she's named for sounds like.  A Train whistled faintly.        

           

STEELY DAN      

PHOTO BY MICHAEL OCHS           

         

        Our boss told Mr. Rich he and Miss Sandy, because they knew that one girl from "Pacific Presentations;" in the mid-1970's saw all those concerts down at the "Hollywood Palladium."  A  band they saw a few times was STEELY DAN.  At one time Jeff Porcaro was in the band.              

          When Mr. Steve, Sandy and their friends saw STEELY DAN play they were "Opening Up" for other bands.  Jeff Porcaro wasn't in the band then but the other Drummer was really good      too our boss told Mr. Dave.  Cher just woke up and jumped down onto the ground below.              

         Someday I do want to hear that STEELY DAN song Daisy told me about called "Reeling In The Years."   The guitar playing is so "melodic and catchy" Mr. Dave thinks, and he read LED    ZEPPELIN'S Jimmy Page said the solo's is his "favorite."   Wow!  That's good alright.                 

               

         "BEATNIK'S                                        JACK KEROUAC (1922-1969)      

        

        According to what Daisy and Millie heard our boss and Mr. Rich talking about, the two main guys in STEELY DAN were influenced by all of those 1950's "Beatnik" Writers like Jack    Kerouac.  Cher used the right gate slot to go out into the back desert.  Dawn's barking.                  

         I've mentioned how Beatniks were against Capitalism or "Materialism, thinking art and things like that were more important in life.  A slight breeze just brought in the strong scent Cher left behind, mixed or blended in with Andy's unique scent I notice.  I can smell Blinky.                   

          Boy!  That guy Jack Kerouac died when he was only forty nine, but in the 1960's his book "On The Road" influenced Bob Dylan, the BEATLES and even the GRATEFUL DEAD'S Jerry   Garcia.  In the 1979's Pattie Smith liked his book I guess.  I can't wait to read that book. 

  

MICHAEL JACKSON (1958-2009)

        One time Daisy and Millie heard our boss and Mr. Mark talk about TOTO, and how Jeff Porcaro played drums on that guy Michael Jackson's famous 1982 album "Thriller."  And so did Eddie Van Halen I guess.  Two growing vapor trails are crisscrossed up there in the sky.                

      I've mentioned how Mr. Steve likes to sometimes sit in a bathtub of warm water and just relax and think.  That's where he was when news came over the Radio about Michael Jackson      dying.  I smell Blinky, Dawn and Rosie over there standing on the other side of the fence.               

        Mr. Steve and Mr. Mark both think, because he got so rich; Michael Jackson in a way kind of like Howard Hughes in being able to do things other can't.  In a culture which often worships wealth "Money Talks" so to speak.  But to a certain extent "it killed him" our boss thinks.                                                        

         "PAN AFRICA"                               MR.  MARK WITH SONS              

                 

        Writing about TOTO'S Africa song makes me suddenly think about how Mr. Mark over there in Hawaii believes all of the African countries should form a "Union," or maybe be just one single huge nation and "Pool" resources.   Europe made "N.A.T.O."  I smell old Juniper.              

        Our boss told Mr. Mark about a lady from "Northridge" who asked him if he knew who Tommy Tedesco was, and at that time he didn't.  So, she told him Tommy Tedesco had been in the WRECKING CREW; and his family lived near theirs.   Samson and Delilah are flying bye.          

         Mr. Steve now knows Tommy Tedesco, "Anonymously" like Jeff Porcaro on drums; was one of the most "recorded" Guitarists in history.   He and that lady Carol Kaye played on some of the different BEACH BOYS and MONKEES songs.   Andy's over there sniffing the air.                                                                               

TOMMY TEDESCO / CAROL KAYE (THE WRECKING CREW))

                          

          One time our boss and Mr. Dave talked about how Tommy Tedesco sometimes played one of those Fender "Telecasters."  Carol Kaye played more than bass; like when she played guitar    on Ritchie Valen's songs "La Bamba" for instance.  Smelling Andy makes me feel good.                 

       I guess, it was that guy Tommy Tedesco who played the  acoustic guitar beginning of the MAMA'S AND THE PAPA'S song "California Dreaming."   He played the "themes" of tv shows Mr. Steve's family watched; like "Green Acres," "Batman"  and "Bonanza."  I smell Sage.           

      Daisy says the lady from Northridge who lived near Tommy Tedesco's family said he once taught a friend of her's son how to "Tune" a guitars and other "Stringed" instruments.  He at      times "Guitar Tuned" those other instruments.  Two Motorcycles went bye out in the desert.                

THE WRECKING CREW        

           

            Our boss and Mr. Dave talked about a tv show where Carol Kaye said many members of the WRECKING CREW were Jazz Musicians who didn't really care for Rock music that much. But it "paid the bills" she said.  In the 1960's Carol Kaye was one of those "Single Mothers."       

         Daisy and Millie also saw that one tv show about the WRECKING CREW.   In it Tommy Tedesco was perfectly happy not getting that much attention.  His son said he didn't like playing guitar when he was at home or "Off Duty" as they say.  Samson and Delilah just flew bye.            

          The people in the WRECKING CREW, "Behind the Scenes;" played on songs like "You've Lost That Lovin' Feeling" by the RIGHTEOUS BROTHERS Daisy heard.  She says Mr. Dave    likes Phil Spector's "Wall of Sound" songs.  Libby's walking around slowly in her Corral.                

THE BYRDS

   

         I've mentioned before how two of our boss's favorite 1960's songs are when the BYRDS "Covered" those Bob Dylan songs "Turn, Turn Turn" and "Mr. Tambourine Man."  It was the WRECKING CREW who actually played on the original "Recordings."  Dawn's barking.            

            Another song the WRECKING CREW played on when it was recorded was about this girl named "Wendy" by the ASSOCIATION.  Daisy heard our boss used to have a friend who's little daughter was named Wendy.  He and Mr. Grant knew a girl in Law School with that name.          

           That guy Frank Sinatra had a daughter named "Nancy," who was also a Singer; and the WRECKING CREW played on her songs.  That man Herb Alpert, who I've talked about before, used the WRECKING CREW at times.  Usually his band were those guys from "Tijuana."  

 

 RITCHIE VALENS (1941-1959)

       

            I just thought of how Carol Kaye played guitar on that song La Bamba.  Boy!  It's too bad Ritchie Valens died so young in that famous Plane crash.  I've mentioned how Carol Kaye is now retired and lives in "Rosamond" near Mr. Grant's house.  That's what Mr. Steve was told.  

           I guess, for a while Carol Kaye lived in "Santa Clarita," near Mr. Rick and Linda's house. Mr. Julio, who does the embroidery on the sales Mr. Steve, Miss Babette, Susan and Karin make; also lives near there with his family.  Mr. Steve's sister Susan lived in Santa Clarita for a time. 

          That one tv show mentioned how Tommy Tedesco was perfectly happy not being "In the Spotlight" so to speak.   He joked it was better than working in the "U.P.S." factory he worked at for a long time.  Daisy heard there's a big "United Parcel Service" facility down in Sylmar. 

  

                                 GLEN CAMPBELL                                                 LEON RUSSELL

      

           According to what the tv show said, two members of the Wrecking Crew did later become famous; Glen Campbell and this other guy named Leon Russell.   Daisy heard how Carol Kaye doesn't like the name Wrecking Crew but prefers "The Clique."  Frida and Diego flew bye.

          One time our boss and Mr. Mark talked about when Barry Gordy moved Motown Records out here to Los Angeles.  I guess it was Carol Kaye who played bass on many of the famous songs they put out after that.  Daisy heard the FUNK BROTHERS stayed back there in Detroit. 

            The problem with being a Studio Musician I think is, you don't get credit like you would if you were in an actual band.  I don't know if I would like that but Dais says she wouldn't care as    long as you were getting your money.  I smell the baby Cholla cactus over there in the dirt.            

   

   SIMON & GARFUNKEL                                                  NEIL YOUNG              

        

          Carol Kaye played bass on a few songs by those guys Simon and Garfunkel, and also on Neil  Young's first album too I guess.  Paul McCartney of the BEATLES said he "admired" and "was influenced by" her playing for years not realizing who was on bass.  Dawn's barking.          

          Daisy heard Paul McCartney really liked Carol Kaye's bass playing on that one famous  BEACH BOYS album "Pet Sounds."   Because Daisy and Millie liked it so much, someday I look forward to hearing that song "Good Vibrations."   I smell Blinky, and Rosie next to Dawn.           

            Our boss one time talked with Mr. Bob in Missouri about Carol Kaye, and how she for a time worked with Frank Zappa.  She played twelve string guitar on that "Freak Out" album I've mentioned before.  Carol Kaye is proof a female can be as good a Musician as a male.

      

                              "FREAKOUT"                                                  FRANK ZAPPA   

        

           From what Mr. Steve heard, Carol Kaye didn't keep working with Frank Zappa because his lyrics had bad language.  Mr. Steve doesn't really like bad language either, and I've written how his dad even got in fistfights over it.  He won't allow bad language in front of his wife. 

           I just thought about how bass and drums, the "Rhythm Section" of a song, are kind of like a Football "Offensive Linemen."  Mr. Dave said they "set up" a "platform" for others.  It's like what Malcolm Young and AC/DC's Bassist and Drummer do for Angus Young sometimes.  

          Daisy heard how that guy Ronnie James Dio used to tell people the rhythm section was the "Engine Room" of a band.  That's the area of a Ship where the motors, which give it the power to move forward in the water; are located.  Carol Kaye's bass often provided a "Bottom."  

  

 THE DOORS      

     

            I guess Carol Kaye played bass on some DOORS songs.  I've written about the time in the mid-1970's when Mr. Steve and Miss Sandy went to see that British band SLADE play down at the "Starwood" Nightclub in Hollywood.  Samson and Delilah are flying over Libby's Corral.

           As I wrote about before, after SLADE played the DOORS' Ray Manzarek's band did a "Rehearsal."  As they were leaving Mr. Steve noticed how the "Bouncer" was a guy who worked with him at that "T.A.T." printing company I've mentioned a few times.  Daffy's quacking. 

           As he and Sandy talked to that Bouncer, the Starwood doors were closed; which left almost no one inside an empty Theater.  So, our boss and Miss Sandy got to watch Ray Manzarek's band practice.  Ray Manzarek was friendly, and even gave Sandy that one broken tambourine.  

  

     RAY MANZAREK (1939-2013)       

         

            On that night at the Starwood Mr. Steve asked Ray Manzarek who played bass on those DOORS' songs, seeing as how there was no Bassist listed on their albums.   He grinned and then used his left hand to play a bass line on his lower keyboard.  He joked, "Meet Mr. bass."

            Our boss told Mr. Rich it's weird how that band SLADE were so popular in England, but for some reason never made it here in America.  They had seventeen straight "Top 20" hits and six of them were number one.  Daisy told me SLADE'S Singer sounds kind of like a Goat.    

           When our Chief and Miss Sandy saw SLADE at the Starwood they were one of the British "Glam" bands like T-REX or David Bowie's SPIDERS FROM MARS.  Before that they looked like an English  "Skinhead" type band.  Skinheads like to fight and admire Nazi symbolism.

  

"SKINHEADS"                                    SLADE                                       "GLAM"             

      

            From what Daisy and Millie heard our boss and Mr. Doug talk about one time, in the late 1970's there were Punk Skinheads here in Los Angeles.  Like the ones back there in England, I guess they also shaved their heads; and some even wore red Nazi armbands.  I smell Sage.

           Daisy heard Skinheads still often wear those black "Jack Boots," like the Nazi's wore in World War II.  Jackboots are good protection for your legs in a fight, and can really hurt your opponent if you kick them.  LED ZEPPELIN'S Jimmy Page wore Jack Boots on a tour.

          Ray Manzarek died last year, and Daisy told me how our Chief has a tambourine like the one he gave Miss Sandy.  Tambourine's make a jingling sound when you shake them I guess.  Oh! What I thought was a Sparrow is actually chubby little Mocking Bird standing on Moe.

               

TAMBOURINE / MARACA'S INSIDE

                                                                                                               

           Daisy heard our boss and Mr. Dave talking about the times Mr. Steve let him borrow his drums so he could make money after his own drums were stolen.  He also borrowed one of those tambourines, a set of "Maracas," and these things called "Cabanas."  Sage smells good.

           I guess, from what Dais says; maraca's are like "gourds with handles" on the bottom and small rocks inside.  When you shake them "in time to the beat of the music," like tambourines; they "add" to the other instruments.  Cher used the right gate slot to go out into the desert.      

            Oh wow!  What a coincidence that, the very next thing on my outline is how that lady Carol Kaye played bass on a Sonny and Cher song called "The Beat Goes On."  I'll bet Cher noticed no Heathcliff around this morning to "Ring In" our day.  Ugh!  Tomorrow will be so weird!

            

BOOKER T. & THE M.G.'S                             "STAX" RECORDS

                                                                                                                        PHOTO BY VICTOR CHAPA

                   

                  Another group of 1960's and 1970's Session Musicians was in "Tennessee" making the "Memphis Sound," or "Memphis Soul" for "Stax" Records.  Daisy says Mr. Mark knows a lot about their kind of music.   Tennessee was so very important during the American Civil War.

           Some members of "Stax's" "House Band" ended up being like TOTO I guess, and decided to form that band BOOKER T. & THE M.G.'S.  Both our boss and Mr. Mark really like their "Instrumental" songs, "Time is Tight" and "Green Onions."  Heathcliff's Hens are clucking.

          The Studio Musicians at Stax played with, Jazz, Gospel,  and Rhythm and Blues influences on songs by Wilson Pickett, Otis Redding and even the Blues Guitarist Albert King.  That's what Daisy and Millie heard our boss and Mr. Mark talk about one time.  Andy's looking at me.  

                      

                                                                        MARC BOLAN (1947-1977)  /  T.REX

       

             Oh!  I just thought of something I was supposed to write about yesterday when I wrote about early 1970's British "Glam" Rock.   Daisy and Millie heard our boss and Mr. Phillip one time talk about a guy named Marc Bolan and his band T.Rex.   A Train whistled faintly.

            I guess, some think it was that guy Marc Bolan who started Glam Rock where the bands dressed up in "Glamorous" clothes.  SLADE, David Bowie's SPIDERS FROM MARS and the SWEET were other British Glam bands.  I smell Bravo Company somewhere around here.

            Daisy and Millie saw a tv show about British Glam Rock which said Marc Bolan died in a Car accident over there in England.  Mr. Phillip heard he didn't know how to drive and it was his girlfriend who was "At the Wheel" so to speak.   Aha!  Bravo Company is behind the Sheds.

  

NEW YORK DOLLS   

  

           Hey!  I'll bet, over here in the U.S those guys the NEW YORK DOLLS got their idea to dress up as girls as a "Gimmick" from hearing about British Glam Rock.   I just thought of how their Bassist Arthur Kane who died became a Mormon.  He had moved out here by then. 

           Daisy says our boss told Mr. Dave he once met a British guy who said he was a "Roadie" for a "short-lived" band with both Marc Bolan and David Bowie in it.  Someday I really want to hear that T.REX song Daisy and Millie liked about the gong.  Theodora ran bye right now.

           Mr. Phillip from Wales said that, for "one or two years" in the early 1970's;  it "seemed like" T.REX was "as popular as the BEATLES" in England.   I've mentioned a few times before how Mr. Phillip sometimes calls it the "U.K."  That's just short for "United Kingdom."

           

                  JEWISH MOVEMENTS IN EUROPE               "ELLIS ISLAND"  (N.Y.C.)

           

                 I guess, the guy who was the Roadie heard Marc Bolan's father was a Polish and Russian "Ashkenazi" Jew.  So, instead of coming to the U.S. through "Ellis Island;" he might've gone to England instead I'll bet.  Benjamin just flew over Libby's Corral and is moving to the east.  

           That map I've been studying for the last three days shows how many times the Jews have moved around in Europe from the 12th through 15th centuries.  Sometimes, like in Spain at the end of that "Reconquista;" they were forced to leave an area.  I can see Libby over there.

           When our Chief and Miss Sandy saw BLUE ÖYSTER CULT play their concert down at the "Hollywood Palladium," one song had the same melody as T.REX'S song "Bang a Gong;" except in a "harder rock way" he says.  The guy said how Marc Bolan was "a short bloke."

  

 CAROL KAYE (1960'S)

               Oh!  I forgot to mention how that girl Carol Kaye, like Tommy Tedesco; also played tv show themes too.  And, one was for that funny show "Get Smart;" another one that Korean War show "M.A.S.H." I've mentioned before.  The four Pigeons just now flew past; moving east. 

              One of the last tv show themes Carol Kaye played on was the "Sitcom" the "Bill Cosby Show," which Mr. Steve's sister Susan worked on as a "Set Decorator."  She did the same job on that "Roseanne" show.  I've mentioned before how Sitcom is short for "Situation Comedy."  

              Mentioning that tv show M.A.S.H. makes me think about Mr. Steve's father fighting in the Korean War.  Our boss has told some of the Korean people who live around us about his dad.  Most of them, especially older people; have said "tell your father thank you very much."

 

                                                                "KOREAN" WAR     

        

             I've mentioned a few times over the last three days how Mr. Steve's father jokes that in Korea it was either "over one hundred degrees" or "below zero freezing."  That's why his feet got "Frostbitten," and they wanted to "Amputate" them.   Leo and Cleo just flew bye.

             Mr. Steve's father refused to let them cut his feet off and, with the help of that Canadian "Corpsman" they "rubbed life back" into his feet; but he got addicted to "Morphine."  He quit "Cold Turkey."  Like in "Boot Camp," he just did it "one painful day at a time" he said.

            Ah!  Cher just pounced on a big Mouse near Moe, and is now biting it hard right on the neck.  That Mouse is struggling but won't escape because now Cher bit it on the throat.  Cher's eyes are looking around, and if I know her she'll  now find a place to go and eat that Mouse.

  

 HAL BLAINE    

            

             I still have to write a few things about the WRECKING CREW.  Dais heard one of their Drummers was a guy named Hal Blaine, who Mr. Dave said played on about "thirty thousand" songs; forty of which went to number one.  There are a few little puffy clouds in the sky.  

            Mr. Dave said his Motorcycle Shop customer told him it was that guy Hal Blaine who was the one who first "popularized" the later famous "Disco Beat."   That's just like how Eddie Van Halen popularized the "Tapping" guitar technique others did before.  Ah!  The air is clear.

           In the mid-1960's Hal Blaine adapted a Jazz technique to other styles of music to make the Disco Beat used a decade later.  That's where the high-hat is opened and closed on certain beats while you're playing it.  I can smell that clump of Joshua trees over near Libby's Corral. 

                   

      SAMMY DAVIS JR.            TOMMY TEDESCO               FRANK ZAPPA               

     

           From what Dais and Millie heard Mr. Dave tell our boss, that man Tommy Tedesco from Northridge played guitar on so many famous songs.  He worked with so many good Singers and Musicians, but with little credit.   Blackbeard and Anne are flying over the Sheds right now.         

            Mr. Dave heard Tommy Tedesco, who died in 1997; could what they call "Sight-Read" a music sheet even right in the middle of a conversation with someone.  Daisy thinks that probably means he could read music and immediately know what to play.  Wow!  That sounds hard. 

             Hey!  Maybe someday I could be the first Dog in history who learned how to read a music sheet?  Oh!  That would be so great alright!   I wonder if maybe Mr. Peabody knows how to read music, because if there's any Dog who would know things like that it would definitely be him.  

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                           ELVIS PRESLEY                            FRANK SINATRA            PHILS SPECTOR ("RONNETTE'S)  

   

         Daisy heard Mr. Dave say that Drummer Hal Blaine worked, "behind the scenes;'" with many Singers and Musicians from the late 1950's  through the 1970's.  He played drums on over  six thousand "Released Singles," some by Frank Sinatra.  Heathcliff's Hens are cackling.              

          Mr. Dave said the Musicians in the WRECKING CREW played on those 1960's "Wall of Sound" songs "Produced" by Phil Spector.  One was the RONETTE'S "Be My Baby."  I guess    the BEACH BOYS Brian Wilson was very influenced by that song from what Dais heard.            

         Hal Blaine played drums on some of Elvis's early 1960's songs; and then later on the mid-1960's BEACH BOYS albums.  Those were the songs where he worked with Carol Kaye on Brian Wilson's ideas.  Finley and Fanny just flew bye, and they still seem to be totally happy.                          

    THE CARPENTERS (1970S)

  

        Mr. Dave was told Hal Blaine helped Karen Carpenter play drums, before she was turned into only a Singer; and even helped her with her "Four Tom" drum set up.  I've mentioned that    Mr. Steve has two regular Toms and one bigger "Floor" Tom.  Dawn's barking over there.            

         I  guess, once they forced Karen Carpenter to "Come out Front;" Hal Blaine then was the band's Drummer.  Hey Lord!  As You know, Daisy and I'd want to time travel back to the 1970's and hear Mr. Steve's mom's Girl Scout Troops singing CARPENTERS songs.  I smell Blinky.       

      Daisy and Millie saw that tv show about the city of "Downey," where the CARPENTERS were from.  That's also where "Weird" Al, the BLASTERS' Alvin brothers and METALLICA'S Singer are from too.  Dais says the tv show said the CARPENTERS were Christians like us.            

                "CAT" STEVENS                   JONI MITCHELL                  JAMES TAYLOR  

         

             Mr. Steve thinks one reason why Session Musicians aren't used as much nowadays is because the bands play their own instruments.  In the 1970's those "Singer-Songwriters" I've written about became more popular too.  I smell Charlie Company somewhere nearby.

             I guess, from what Mr. Dave told our boss that time; Hal Blaine is kind of like T.REX'S Marc Bolan in being from a family of Ashkenazi Jews.  I've mentioned a few times in my books how Miss Emily and Miss Harriet's families are also Ashkenazi Jews.  Daffy's quacking.

            According to what Daisy and Millie heard, the BEATLES Drummer Ringo really admires the way Hal Blaine played on those 1960's songs.  Our Chief and Miss Sandy liked that movie the "Pink Panther."  The WRECKING CREW played the theme song music for that movie.    

    

THE "PINK PANTHER"

      

             I just thought of how Miss Sandy liked the personality of that one pink Panther from the movie.  That's why our boss used to get her "Stuffed Animals" and things like that with the pink Panther "Motif."  Oh!  I just now noticed how Cher is over there sleeping on top of Moe.

            Daisy and Millie saw that movie the Pink Panther, and Dais told me she can see why Miss Sandy liked how cool and smart that pink Cat was.   He even knew how to play the saxophone.  A slight breeze just brought Cher's unique scent floating in to me over here sitting on Elvira. 

            Mr. Steve told his mom one time he still occasionally thinks about his three ex-girlfriends.  He used to get Miss Harriet things having to do with "Panda" Bears because of how she thought Panda Bears were so cute.  Theodora just ran bye, and then went out into the back desert.

                             

                                                                  PATRICK SWAYZE WITH WIFE LISA    

      

                A few years ago Mr. Steve met a lady from "Lake View Terrace" who told him she heard that guy Patrick Swayze was hired to dance in one of TOTO'S videos.  He told her he went out to Patrick Swayze and his wife's Ranch in "L.V.T."  He even got to see Patrick Swayze's Horses.   

                In about 1989, working for that company "Pace;" Mr. Steve called the phone number on a "One Day Pass" marked "Business.   It turns out Patrick Swayze's wife "Lisa" had filled it out. Patrick Swayze said he wanted to be a member of Pace so Mr. Steve then drove to his ranch.  

           After signing up Patrick Swayze and his wife to be members of Pace I guess Mr. Steve was able to spend about half an hour with Patrick Swayze, and it was obvious he was really proud of his "Arabian" Horses.  I can see Libby over there walking around slowly in her Corral.

                  

                                                       PATRICK SWAYZE (1952-2009)   

                 

                Daisy heard our Chief tell Mr. Randy that guy Patrick Swayze, who died five years ago; was a friendly person.  He told Mr. Steve how he and his wife were from Texas.  Patrick Swayze was very interested when Mr. Steve told him his parents were originally from New Mexico. 

                Mr. Steve didn't know Patrick Swayze was an Actor until, in filling out the application for Pace; Patrick Swayze told him.  At that point Mr. Steve realized he was the Actor who played a guy from the South in this tv movie called "North and South."  Dawn's barking over there.

           I guess our boss told Patrick Swayze he'd never seen any of his other movies and he said, "A lot of them were not that good anyway."  He said his next movie was about a ghost.  A Garter Snake crawled through the right vertical slot on the side of the gate to go into the desert.

    

 "DIRTY DANCING"

 

       By the time Mr. Steve met Patrick Swayze his biggest "Hit" movie until then was called "Dirty Dancing."  Mr. Steve had heard of it but as I've said before, he doesn't like "Musicals"    all that much; so only watched a part of it later when they showed it on tv.  I smell Sage.                

          I guess Mr. Steve and Patrick Swayze mainly talked about the Northeast corner of the San Fernando Valley.  Our boss told him about growing up there, and how in 1960 the area was a lot different.  Back then there were people in Sylmar who kept and rode Horses all around.               

         Mr. Steve told Patrick Swayze about how his dad and sister Susan used to ride Horses from Sylmar over to "Hansen" Dam.  Patrick Swayze, and Mr. Steve too; really like how the Arabian Horses look when they run fast.  Their tail and ears are held higher than usual Dais says.                       

                                                                                                         "RED DAWN"

   

         A few years after he met Patrick Swayze Mr. Steve's Cousin Gil over there in New Mexico told him about another Patrick Swayze movie "Red Dawn."  I guess, from what Daisy was able    to hear; it's about World War III.  Boy!  I sure do wish all of a sudden I'd hear Heathcliff.             

         Daisy says that movie Red Dawn is about when the Soviet Union actually comes over here to invade our country. So, just like in other wars; the people invaded turn into those "Partisan"    guerrilla fighters I've written about.  But in World War III they're American guerrilla's.               

         I guess Mr. Steve's Cousin Gil is a "Taxidermist" and "Hunting Guide," who likes to "Sky Dive."  Usually he has to pay for jumping from a Plane, but, in Red Dawn; he got paid to play the part of a Soviet paratrooper invading America.  I don't think I would like Sky Diving.                                                         

"NORTH AND SOUTH"        

            

         In my three long books I've learned and and written a lot about the American Civil War  because Mr. Steve knows about that.  He told Patrick Swayze he hadn't seen all of the episodes in North and South but liked the ones he did see.  Samson and Delilah are both flying bye.                 

       Daisy says our boss told Patrick Swayze he usually doesn't like those "Soap Operas" I've mentioned before.  So, some parts of North and South he didn't care for all that much but; he did like the costumes.  Patrick Swayze said North and South "won a few awards" for that.                  

         Our boss told Mr. Mike one time how Patrick Swayze told him his mom was a "Dance Instructor," so that's why "he could dance."  And his father was a "Cowboy," so he "liked Horses."  I guess that guy    Patrick Swayze died of cancer and Mr. Steve told Miss Susan he did notice that he "smoked a lot."             

                           

                                                               HUELL HOWSER ("RANCHO ESCONDIDO")     

          

               Over the last three days I've mentioned that guy Huell Howser a few times.  Daisy says one time she and Millie saw his episode on an Arabian Horse Ranch over there on "Catalina" Island.  When he saw that segment Mr. Steve thought about that guy Patrick Swayze who died. 

              Daisy and I originally had the subject of "Rancho Escondido" in book one, when I wrote a lot about "Santa Catalina" island; off the coast of Los Angeles.  But, as I've done a few times; it somehow got past me so I'll just do it now instead.  Escondido is Spanish for "Hidden."

               On Thursday I wrote about the "Wrigley" family who for a long time owned both Catalina island and the Chicago "Cubs" Baseball team too.  As I mentioned in book one, the Cubs used to have "Spring Trainings" over there for many years.  Two of the Pigeons just flew bye.  

               

                                         BALLFIELD                       "CATALINA" ISLAND      WM. WRIGLEY JR. (ON RIGHT)

                 I've mentioned before how I really like how some men used to dress back in the 1920's.  A picture shows that man William Wrigley Jr., who owned Catalina island and the Cubs; and he's got on one of those nice hats I like.  And the high socks they wore look totally professional. 

           Daisy says, on Huell Howser's episode about that Horse Ranch; two nice ladies who are descendants of the Wrigley family "Showed him Around" as they say.  One said Arabian Horses, in about 2,500 B.C.; were originally bred by those "Bedouins."  I've written about them.    

     One lady giving Huell Howser the tour said the first Horses brought out here to Rancho Escondido arrived in the early 1930's.  Mr. Steve didn't even know about that Ranch until he saw that Huell Howser segment.  The 1930's was when the Great Depression was going on.                   

              

                                                                                     "LAWRENCE OF ARABIA"

           

                I want to see that one Peter O'Toole movie about T.E. Lawrence.  Our boss told Patrick Swayze he likes the Arabian Horses running "at a gallop" scenes.   Patrick Swayze agreed and mentioned the Alamo movie when Mexican Horsemen rode toward the Mission walls.

           Dais told me on the Huell Howser episode that lady said, when Arabian Horses run their nostrils open wider; which allows them to take in more "Oxygen."  She told Huell Howser that their Bedouin name translates as, "Drinkers of the Wind."  A Train just whistled faintly.       

                That smart lady also told Huell Howser how white Arabian Horses are better suited to the hot weather in the Middle East.  Despite "Naysayers" the Horses out there on Catalina, besides being "Shown;" also turned out to be good Cowboy "Cutting" Horses.  I smell Libby.  

       

MARSHAL GEORGY ZHUKOV (1896-1974)

       

            Mr. Steve told his Niece Samantha about meeting Patrick Swayze.  Daisy heard he asked Patrick Swayze if he'd ever seen the film of General Zhukov riding that white Horse during the big 1945 "Victory Parade" in the city of "Moscow."  He said no but would "try to find it."

           I wrote yesterday how Mr. Steve and his father think, more than any other person; it was General Zhukov who beat Hitler's Nazi's during World War II.  If "Not for Him" as they say, the most "epic in scale" war might've been lost.  He "rode a good Horse" Mr. Steve's dad said.

           Had the Germans conquered the Soviet Union they would've had more oil and plenty of Slave labor.  No one knows exactly how many Russians died in the Second Word War, but it's "at least twenty five million" Mr. Steve thinks.   I just thought again how escondido means hidden.

              

                           "THE ALAMO"                                  "CHARGE OF THE LIGHT BRIGADE"                              (1960)                                                                            (1936)                                                

                                                                                                                

                Mr. Steve told Patrick Swayze his father likes watching the Horses on John Wayne's 1960 movie about the Alamo.  He especially admires the part where this column of Mexican Horseman gallop toward the Alamo walls to recite General Santa Anna's "Terms."  Dawn's barking.

           Daisy heard Patrick Swayze smiled, shook his head and said; "my father also loved that scene too."  Then he and our boss talked about that 1936 movie "Charge of the Light Brigade," and how IRON MAIDEN used good scenes from it in their Music Video.  I can smell Blinky. 

              I guess that guy Patrick Swayze, like our Chief; watched the charge scenes from that 1936 movie "many times" he said.  He wondered how "back in those days" they were able to create such "realistic" scenes; as supposedly no Horses were injured.  Two Pigeons just flew bye.     

                                       

                                                                                              "TERROR ISLAND"     

                 

            I've mentioned before how, until the economic recession we're now in; Mr. Steve used to have a customer in the town of Escondido to the north of San Diego.  One time our boss and the Parts Manager talked about that guy Harry Houdini.   Two of the Pigeons just flew bye. 

                 Yesterday I wrote about "Houdini."  But I forgot to mention how, back in 1920; he made one of those "Silent" movies out there on Catalina Island.  Daisy saw a tv show about him, and it said that old movie was called "Terror Island;" but Catalina was called the "Magic Isle."

           Well, one more thing to write about Arabian Horses.  Mr. Steve was told the ROLLING STONES Drummer Charlie Watts has a Ranch in England where he and his wife keep Arabian Horses.  Our our Chief likes steady Drummers like Charlie Watts and Phil Rudd of AC/DC.

    

                                                                   CHARLIE WATTS AND WIFE SHIRLEY

PHOTO BY REX FEATURES

 

                I guess, when Mr. Steve was told about Charlie Watts raising Arabian Horses; he thought of Patrick Swayze.  When he heard Charlie Watts and his wife have been married for fifty years he thought about his own parents.  Now the other two Pigeons just flew bye too.

           As I've said a few times over the last three days, our boss has seen the ROLLING STONES play at the Forum a few times.  And he really likes the kind of jazzy "Swing" beats Charlie Watts provides for the band.  And it's him who you're dancing to if you feel like doing that.  

               I just thought of Grant High School, and that time Mr. Steve went to see his brother Sam play a Baseball game there.  They won because that season "Grant" did not have a good team.  But in those years Sylmar was really good and even almost won the "City Championship."    

         

 "ULYSSES S. GRANT" HIGH SCHOOL      

             

                     I've mentioned how that guy Mark Ritter met Mr. Doug at Grant High School.  Mark Ritter was was with our boss at his brother Sam's game when Sylmar beat Grant.  He still has a memory of hearing someone yell "Steve!" as they walked toward the Grant Baseball field.  

             The guy who yelled was a Sylmar's Player named Scott Hagar, so Mr. Steve waved back at him from far away.  A few years later Scott Hagar was stabbed to death in Pacoima Daisy one time heard.  I've mentioned that one "Cul-de-Sac" down in Sylmar named "Hagar" Street.  

           I just thought of that guy Sammy Hagar who, as a member of  MONTROSE; played in a concert our boss and his friend "Chris" saw at the "Shrine" Auditorium.  They were "Opening Up" for GOLDEN EARRING.  All four of the Pigeons are flying right over Libby's Corral.

                

               "SHRINE"AUDITORIUM                                                MONTROSE

                  

            One time Mr. Steve met a guy from the city of "Fontana," to the south of where we live.  He saw Sammy Hagar play at a Nightclub in San Bernardino before he was in MONTROSE or became famous.   That guy told our boss Sammy Hagar was born in "Salinas" Dais says.    

            I've written about Sammy Hagar replacing VAN HALEN'S first Singer David Lee Roth, and how he's a good Guitarist as well.  But in the early 1970's, when he was in MONTROSE; he was mainly just the lead Singer I guess.  A little Bird with a twig in its mouth just ran bye.  

            Someday I want to hear that song by GOLDEN EARRING called "Radar Love."  Daisy says our boss likes to play along to that song because of the way the Drummer plays the "Snare" drum.   As I've said before, GOLDEN EARRING are Dutch so grew up in the Netherlands. 

        

                                                                 GOLDEN EARRING

   

          I guess that song Radar Love not only has good drumming in it, but the guitar player uses one of those "Wah-Wah" peddles too.  Mr. Steve's friend Chris, who went with him to that one GOLDEN EARRING concert; learned to use a wah-wah peddle.  The chimes are ringing!  

        Holy Spirit!  I feel pretty good when I think You're around, especially in remembering how Heathcliff is gone.  It's so amazing, considering how I've felt for a lot of this day; how much I've gotten done so far.  So thank Everyone up there if it is You Guys helping me out down here.          

      Mr. Mark likes the "subtle" way GOLDEN EARRING'S Guitarist uses a "light touch" to play his guitar using that wah-wah peddle on Radar Love.  Jimi Hendrix used a wah-wah peddle and so did that guy Robin Trower on his early 1970's album "Bridge of Sighs" Daisy told me.       

        

"SIR" HENRY TIZARD (1885-1959)   

       

         Oh!  I forgot to mention yesterday this  man named Henry Tizard, who my Encyclopedia says was a "chemist and inventor."  In August of 1940 after the Germans conquered France, the air "Battle of Britain" was going on.  And England was Europe's "last hope" for freedom.            

        Winston Churchill, even though the "British Empire" was powerful; knew his only chance of beating Nazi Germany was America's "Industrial Capacity."  So, in a totally "secret mission" because of those "U-Boats;" he sent Henry Tizard over to America.  Frida and Diego flew bye.     

        Henry Tizard, who "helped develop" Radar; carried with him to America England's "most closely guarded" and "cutting edge" military secrets.  Churchill was willing to "reveal" all that    information hoping to "trade knowledge for help in mass producing" things.  I smell Sage.               

STALIN / ROOSEVELT / CHURCHILL

(THE "BIG THREE" / TEHRAN CONFERENCE / 1943)

          

         I've mentioned before how Mr. Steve and his father both think it was mainly American "Manufacturing" which ended up winning the Second World War.  Not only did it "once and for All" bring the U.S. out of the Great Depression; it helped England and the Soviet Union too.         

            Besides "scientific collaboration" in the fields of "Radar" and "Electronics," the English were also willing to share secrets they had regarding "Jet Engines" and "Plastic Explosives" too.  Bonny the Bunny hopped through the right gate slot.  She's now going out into the desert.             

          In book two I learned about "Operation Sea Lion," the German plan to cross the English Channel and invade England.  Hitler was actually still hoping to be friends with England.  Two of the Pigeons came flapping in from the desert and flew over top of the house going to the west.       

                    RADAR                              "BATTLE OF BRITAIN"     HEINKEL "HE 111H"            

(1940-1941)

         Yesterday, when I wrote about the "Battle of Britain" of 1940; I learned how "Radar" ended up being so important in helping give Hitler his first loss of the Second World War.  It gave an outnumbered Royal Air Force an advantage.  Andy's looking at me over here on Elvira.           

            I've mentioned before how, in 1940 that guy Herman Göring told Hitler his "Luftwaffe" Air Force could beat England all by itself.  But he turned out to be wrong on that.  Radar let the  R.A.F. know in advance when, and in what strength; the Germans were coming from France.       

        Later in World War II American technology made small "Portable" Radar units, which could be mounted on Planes or Boats; a really big deal Dais heard.  The U.S. didn't enter the war until late 1941, but Henry Tizard's secret 1940 mission proves America was never "Neutral."       

                              

                                           PROCOL HARUM                                         ROBIN TROWER   

        

             Someday I do want to hear Robin Trower's music.  In the late 1960's he was in that other British band PROCOL HARUM, who made a good album our boss has on vinyl where they play with an Orchestra.  I smell the new little baby Cholla cactus growing over there in the dirt.

           As I said in book two, our Chief thinks Robin Trower's first album has music on it in the style he imagines Jimi Hendrix might've done had he not changed his style in the period before he died.  I guess Jimi Hendrix died at the age of twenty seven.  Donald and Daisy are quacking.

           Ah!  It looks like, on my book three outline; the next thing I'm scheduled to write about is that "27 Club" I've been mentioning.  It's a group of famous Musicians who all died when they were only twenty seven years old.  The scent of the baby Cholla cactus makes me feel good.

                           

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

PHOTO BY HENRY DILTZ                                                                                                                                                                                                     

   

            Jimmy Hendrix, that one girl Janis Joplin; and the DOORS Singer Jim Morrison were all some of the first "Members" of that 27 Club.  But Mr. Steve says Brian Jones, who started that band the ROLLING STONES; died even before they did.  Some Crows are cawing faintly. 

            As I've mentioned, Mr. Steve was told Kurt Cobaine's mother jokingly warned him about not becoming a member of the 27 Club.  But, I guess he ignored her because he ended up killing himself with a shotgun.  Many of the people in the club died by drugs or alcohol Dais says. 

           The most recent member of the 27 Club is this talented girl Singer from England named Amy Winehouse.  I've never heard any of her songs, but Daisy has; and says she kind of sounds a lot like a Jazz Singer.  Blackbeard and Anne are flying together toward the northwest.

                                       BRIAN JONES (1942-1969)           KURT COBAINE (1967-1994)           AMY WINEHOUSE (1983-2011)                                                                                               

            Mr. Steve thinks the people in the 27 Club obviously did not follow the advice written up there on the wall at "Delphi" in ancient Greece.  As I've said before, it said; "Know Thyself" and "Nothing in Excess."  That guy Socrates also believed in both of those two things too I guess.

            A lot of Musicians "Party" too much our boss thinks.  That just means they take drugs or drink too much alcohol.  Mr. Dave told our boss how Alan Wilson, the Singer who I love so much on CANNED HEAT'S song "Goin Up the Country; also died at the age of twenty seven too.  

            Daisy heard our boss tell Mr. Dave how the "Charter," or first member of  the 27 Club; was that one Blues Musician Robert Johnson.  Some people say, in 1938 when Mr. Steve's dad was six and his mom three; he was "Poisoned."  Dawn and Blinky are barking over there.    

       

  ROBERT JOHNSON (1911-1938)

       

            Robert Johnson lived during the time of that Great Depression.   So, if he was like almost everyone else; he was probably really poor.  But, in the picture of him in this one Encyclopedia; he's wearing a really nice "Suit and Tie" with a hat I'd definitely wear if I had one like it.  

            Daisy saw this tv show that said some people think, in exchange for being able to play the guitar really good; that guy Robert Johnson "Sold his Soul" to the Devil.  And I guess he made that "Deal" at that place called the "Crossroads."  Frida and Diego are flying to the east.      

            Hey God!  I would never, ever want to have to go down there and live in Hell.  No way! Ugh! Ugh!  It would be so terrible if it turned out to be true that anyone who has to live there is burned forever again and again.  I wonder if Robert Johnson is down there right now?

           

ALDOUS HUXLEY (1894-1963)    

             

                 I've written about that guy Aldous Huxley over the last three days, and how the DOORS got their name from his 1954 book, "The Doors of Perception."  Aldous Huxley got his title from a phrase in that one William Blake poem from way back in 1793.  A Train whistled faintly.

                  One time Mr. Dave and our boss talked about how Aldous Huxley used the terms "mind at large," and "universal consciousness;" in The Doors of Perception.  Ah!  I just noticed Rudy standing over there resting under Theodora's bush.  Leo and Cleo flew over Libby's Corral.

            Drugs were developed during World War II and my Encyclopedia says one was "lysergic acid diethylamide" or "L.S.D."  In the 1950's the American C.I.A. experimented on using it as a "truth serum" on spies during the Cold War.  But they also still used torture too I'll bet.   

        

"AT ONE WITH THE UNIVERSE"     

            

                  I guess, the public found out about "Acid," like those 1960's Hippies for example; and liked it.  Aldous Huxley thought "Psychedelic" drugs made you feel "expanded consciousness."  He thought they disabled, or were able to get around; reality's "natural mental filters."

             Mr. Steve thinks Aldous Huxley might say L.S.D. allows the "Conscious" mind to meet the mind at large or universal consciousness, and become "Egoless."  Hey!  That kind of sounds how a Shaman or one of those girls in Delphi want to do.  Fred, Ed and Ted just went bye.

            Dais heard our Chief took acid once as a teenager and gets what some like about it but, he sensed instinctively it was "too good" and feared what it could do if taken in excess.  To some it gives them a "Nirvana" type feeling.  Dais told me about the guy who started PINK FLOYD.  

                               1979                  CHARLEY DANIELS BAND       CHARLEY DANIELS    

                                                                                                                                        PHOTO BY RALPH ARVESEN

       

              Daisy told me about this band called the CHARLEY DANIELS BAND, and it's Charley Daniels who sings; but it's his fiddle playing which our boss likes the best about their songs Dais says.  Daisy noticed how he spells his name differently from our Charlie Company of Quail.

           I guess the CHARLEY DANIELS BAND have a song about a man from Georgia making a deal with the Devil.  Dais says he trades spiritual values for "Earthly" things; like fame or power for instance.  In the song that guy Charley Daniels doesn't really sing but kind of just talks. 

           Dais says the tv show about Robert Johnson mentioned how stories about trading your Soul for something down here go all the way back to 16th century Germany.  In one story a guy named "Faust" makes a deal with the Devil.  Hey God!  I sure wish Heathcliff would crow.           

   

JOHANN WOLFGANG VON GOETHE (1749-1832)

     

                 The tv show talked about a German Writer named Johann Wolfgang von Goethe.  He did his version of the Faust story about three centuries after the first one came out.  I've mentioned a few times over the last three days how "Germany" only became a "Country" in 1871.

             Oh!  This Encyclopedia says even in late 16th century England the story of a "Faustian Bargain" was used in Plays.  A guy named Christopher Marlowe, who probably knew William Shakespeare; wrote one of them.  That was when that lady Queen Elizabeth I was in power.

            Boy!  It says here, in the Faust stories; the "Demon" is named "Mephistopheles."  There's no way I could ever have figured out how to spell that without this Encyclopedia.  All four of the Pigeons are right now flying over Libby's Corral and she's watching them as they go bye. 

   

CREAM

                   When you make a bargain with the Devil I guess it's often done in a dark place called the "Crossroads."  Daisy told me the tv show said that symbolizes a place between the spiritual and physical worlds.  In the late 1960's CREAM did a good song about that location Dais says.

             According to what it says here, many cultures around the world have stories about what they consider to be "sacred" or special locations.  The ancient Greeks had stories of areas which are "neither here nor there."  Mr. Ralph says in Africa and Brazil they have that idea too.

             Crossroads are places "between worlds" where the "paranormal" can happen.  Boy!  I wonder if we have any place like that here in Piñon Hills?   If we do God, I'd go there but would never make a contract where I would have to give up going to You in Heaven.  No way!    

                            

                        "PASSENGER" TRAIN                            "BELEN," NEW MEXICO            

    

              Over the last three days I've mentioned a few times how Mr. Steve's Grandpa Trujillo worked for the "Santa Fe" Railroad company for all those years.  As I've said before, our boss wishes he would've appreciated more those Train trips to New Mexico more.  I smell Sage. 

             Mr. Steve one time was talking on the phone with his mom and they remembered how the ordinary food seemed to taste better in the atmosphere of the "Dining Car."  He jokes Daisy and I would love eating Train food leftovers.  Boy!  That does kind of make me hungry alright.

            It's too bad Belén's Train Station, where Grandpa Trujillo loaded and unloaded things; is now only used for moving "Freight."  Every once in while our Chief has still dreams about that old Train Station.  And in one of them he hugs his Grandpa and also Uncle Celedon too.  

    

                                                                                                  "I LOVE LUCY"  

        

                  Daisy told me our boss and his mom talked about that time a Passenger Train came to Belén and that Actress Lucille Ball waved to the people.  William Frawley, who played Fred on "I Love Lucy" is buried at the "Mission" cemetery.  Someday I want to see that tv show.  

            I've mentioned before how that other Actress Vivian Vance, who played the part of Ethel o on I Love Lucy; moved from Kansas to New Mexico.  She lived for a while in that big city north of Belén called "Albuquerque."  Oh!  A Train just whistled faintly out there in the desert.

           Boy!  It would be so great to have a star on that Hollywood "Walk of Fame" like Vivian Vance and William Frawley do.  Daisy heard, even though they played husband and wife on the tv show, in real life they did not like each other at all.  That's what Mr. Ralph told our boss.

  

                                                                                                JOHN SEBASTIAN

      

            Someday I want to hear some songs by that 1960's band from New York City called the LOVIN SPOONFUL.  Daisy says they have two good ones about magic and the hot Summer.  As I've mentioned before, their Singer named John Sebastian was Vivian Vance's "Godson."             

          John Sebastian, like Bob Dylan; began his career in early 1960's "Greenwich Village."  Daisy says he sings, plays harmonica; and also that other thing called an "Autoharp."  Back in    mid-August of 1977 Mr. Steve and his brother Rock walked all around Greenwich Village.           

              Daisy heard Mr. Ralph say he read John Sebastian was once in a band with two future members of the MAMA'S AND THE PAPA'S.  And that Magazine article also mentioned about John Sebastian playing at "Woodstock" in 1969.   Two of the Pigeons just now flew bye. 

   

                                HIPPIES                      "WOODSTOCK"                   C.S.N.Y.

(AUGUST,1969)  

      

             Boy!  It would be so great to time travel to 1969 and see bands like the WHO, CROSBY, STILLS, NASH AND YOUNG or Jimi Hendrix at Woodstock.  But what I'd really want to hear is CANNED HEAT playing "Going Up the Country."  Daisy told me it's so good alright.

            Daisy heard a DOORS song called "Roadhouse Blues," and Mr. Ralph told our boss he read John Sebastian played harmonica on it.  Goliath just used the right vertical slot on the side of the gate to crawl slowly out into the field.  And Andy's over there keeping an eye on him.

           Oh!  According to this Encyclopedia, John Sebastian was born on March 17; which is the day after Mr. Steve's sister Susan's birthday.  And I guess it's also Mr. Ralph's birthday too from what Dais heard.  Ah!  Now the other two Pigeons are flying bye, going toward the northeast.    

  

                PETE SEEGER (1919-2014)                             WOODY GUTHRIE (1912-1967)

                              (WITH WIFE)                                                                                    (WITH FAMILY)  

         

            One time our boss and Mr. Ralph talked about how, back in the early 1960's; those guys Pete Seeger and Woody Guthrie must've been "really admired."   The "Up and Coming" Folk Musicians, like Bob Dylan for example; "Revered" Woody Guthrie.  Dawn's barking.

           Woody Guthrie is now partly associated with music from the 1930's "Great Depression." Daisy and Millie saw a tv show about Bob Dylan which said Woody Guthrie was his "Hero," and even used to visit him in a Hospital I guess.   I smell Blinky and Rosie standing next to Dawn. 

           Mr. Ralph read John Sebastian one time got to "Jam" or play with Woody Guthrie.  I've mentioned before how, in the early 1960's; electric guitars were replacing acoustic guitars and some people like Pete Seeger didn't like it.   The tv show on Bob Dylan called them "Purists."

         

 THE KINKS              

                 

            It was also in the early 1960's when the KINKS' did what Mr. Dave called "proto punk" in that song "You Really Got Me."  Our boss told him about that first time he heard You Really Got Me on the Car Radio.  That was in the parking lot of the L.A. "Union" Train Station.

           Sitting in that Car and hearing You Really got Me was a "Game Changer" as they say for our Chief.  From that day on he liked more aggressive forms of the different types of music.  That Monarch Butterfly is fluttering bye right now, and is now going out into the back desert.

          Our boss told Mr. Dave the KINKS' Drummer was almost in the ROLLING STONES.  I really like how, back in the late 1950's and early 1960's sometimes the band members would all wear the same exact suits; and sometimes ties.  That's one thing I like about DEVO too. 

          

 BENJAMIN        

            

            Benjamin ran bye in front of the Sheds but is now flying over the fence on the north side of our property.   We're pretty sure Benjamin is a boy because neither Dais or I have seen him collecting material for a nest the way a lot of girl Birds do.  I smell the baby Cholla cactus.

           Ray Davies wrote those Hard Rock songs, "You Really Got Me" and "All the Day and All of the Night.  But during that same early 1960's period Daisy heard, he also wrote softer songs too; such as "Sunny Afternoon" and "A Dedicated Follower of Fashion."  A Train whistled.

          Boy!  Someday I'm really looking forward to hearing all the different KINKS' songs that Daisy's described.  I want to hear that song about the girl named "Lola," and also the one about World War II called "Mr. Churchill Says."  I guess they have a song about Queen Victoria. 

                

                                                                                                   VAN HALEN   

            

           Over the last three days I've mentioned that band from Pasadena VAN HALEN.  As I said before, they "Covered" the KINKS' You Really Got Me.  Mr. Dave thinks it's funny how it's now more famous than the original, and some people even think Eddie Van Halen wrote it. 

           Mr. Steve was told by a guy he bought some things from he heard Ray Davies said people really do believe Eddie Van Halen wrote You Really Got Me.  I've mentioned how Dave Davies cut the amplifier speaker in order to get that "Distorted" sound.  I smell Andy over there.  

              A few years ago Mr. Steve read about how, from 1965 through 1969; the KINKS were not allowed to play in the United States.  Daisy heard it might've been over "Unpaid Union Dues," or because Ray Davies got in a big fistfight with someone.  Frida and Diego are flying bye.

                       

        "FILLMORE EAST" (NEW YORK CITY)                                   SPIRIT                                                    

                   Daisy says our boss told Mr. Dave how, when the KINKS were finally allowed back in the U.S. in 1969; the first concert they played was at that place the "Fillmore East."  They opened up for that band from L.A. SPIRIT.  I wrote about how Jimi Hendrix admired their Guitarist. 

            Mr. Steve read that return KINKS concert at Fillmore East happened on October 17th, which I've mention a few times over the last three days is also his brother Rock's birthday too.  I just glanced up and see one of those vapor trails spreading across the high afternoon sky. 

            A few years ago Mr. Steve met this guy from New York City who said he went to College with that guy Bill Graham, the concert "Promoter" at the Fillmore East.  Just like Stevie Ray Vaughn I guess, Bill Graham was also killed in a Helicopter crash too.   Daffy's quacking.

                                                                                             "FILLMORE WEST"                                       BILL GRAHAM                    

                              (SAN FRANCISCO / 1970)                                                               (1931-1991)                                                    

            

          That piano technician "Bernard," who traveled the world with SUPERTRAMP; was from San Francisco and met Bill Graham a few times.  Bill Graham moved from New York City to San Francisco and opened his "Fillmore West."  Bernard told our boss all about that place.                 

          I guess, that guy Bernard went to concerts at what was later called the Fillmore West when it was an old "Swing" music dance hall called the "Carousel Ballroom."  Mr. Steve's parents in    the early 1960's went to those type of concerts at the "Hollywood Palladium."  I smell Sage.          

          The guy from New York City said Bill Graham "got a degree in business" so that's why he was good at "organizing" things for money.  Mr. Bernard said Bill Graham was always friendly to him but he did see hun get angry at times.  Libby's walking around slowly in her Corral.              

JEFFERSON AIRPLANE                 JANIS JOPLIN                          GRATEFUL DEAD       

                                    PHOTO BY JIM MARSHALL                                                  PHOTO BY DAVID GAHR                                                                                                                                                                                                                              

        Mr. Bernard told our boss how, for a few months in early 1968 he thinks; the Fillmore West building was used by the GRATEFUL DEAD, JEFFERSON AIRPLANE and Janis Joplin's band as a kind of an "Artist's Commune."  That was the time of those "Hippies."  Dawn's barking.      

        Daisy says the man from New York City told our boss Bill Graham came to America in 1941 as one of those "Orphans" I've written about.  He was a "German Jew" whose mother was later killed at "Auschwitz" in the "Holocaust."  Two Motorcycles zoomed bye on Primavera Road.      

         I guess, Bill Grahams father died when he was just two days old.  And his sister died on Ship coming over here to America.  At his "Bronx" Orphanage Daisy heard he was "teased and bullied" not only for being Jewish; but also because of his German accent.  Dawn's barking. 

       

                                                                    EUROPE (1940)     

       

        Daisy heard the guy who went to College with Bill Graham say he, like Bill Graham; was from an "Ashkenazi" Jewish family.  He said Bill Graham's family had "escaped Russia's bloody pogroms" going to Germany.  Bill Graham was born right before Hitler came into power.             

         So Dais says, Bill Graham's family had to "flee" again but this time over to France; only to see France then be conquered in 1940.  So, he and his sister escaped Europe just in the "Nick of    Time" as they say.  But some people here didn't really want more Jews coming to the U.S.             

            Like other Jews did back in those days, Bill Graham "adopted" new names.  The guy he went to College with said he learned English "fast" and pretty soon sounded like people in New York City.  Mr. Eddie who sell things for Mr. Steve, and Mr. Rich; both have similar accents.

  

"KOREAN" WAR 

  

           According to what our boss and Mr. Dave talked about one time, that guy Bill Graham was like Mr. Steve's father in seeing combat during the "Korean War."  He earned a "Bronze      Star" for bravery and one of those "Purple Hearts" for getting wounded.  A Train whistled.         

          Hey Lord!  Some people thought Bill Graham was sometimes difficult to work with and acted kind of mean but, a few years ago our boss helped a guy who told him Bill Graham gave he and his family money when they really needed it.  I'm so glad Mr. Steve doesn't yell at us.              

           I sure hope God there's never a war here in Piñon Hills but, if there ever is we'll just have to do our best with what we have to work with at that time.  I've mentioned before how all three of Mr. Steve's girlfriend's fathers fought in wars.  The Train whistled again, this time fainter.                                 

                               "MUSIC CONNECTION"                                      MISS HARRIET

         ​​​​​​

            In the late 1980's, near Union Station where our Chief first heard You really Got Me; he and Harriet went on one of her assignments for Music Connection Magazine.  It was to a place called "Al's Bar."  That one big Dragonfly zoomed bye and is now going into the desert.   

           Dais says Al's Bar, which is near "Olvera" Street; is kind of famous but Mr. Steve joked with Mr. Dave about how others have described it as a "Dive."   Boy!  That sounds like it wasn't very good.  The Dragonfly came back in from behind the Sheds and flew over the house.

           I guess Al's Bar is "Out of Business" now, according to what Daisy heard our boss tell Mr. Dave.  That "Atomic Cafe" over in "Little Tokyo" was also kind of near to the downtown area.  Mr. Grant and his family live for most of the time in that Condominium in Little Tokyo.

              

                                                "AL'S BAR" ("AMERICAN" HOTEL)    

PHOTOBY PETER HUGHES            

            

            When they first walked into Al's Bar, our Chief and Miss Harriet could not believe; this "Run-Down" place is the "famous" Al's Bar?  But Punk bands, like the MISFITS and GERMS; played there and in 1991 that band NIRVANA wanted to play there too.  Dawn's barking.  

           Our boss told Mr. Dave how Miss Harriet called Al's Bar "seedy," and joked "it's not an area a single girl should go to at night."  I guess, Al's Bar is in what for a long time used to be called the "American" Hotel, opened way back then in 1905.  I smell Blinky over there.

          Our boss was told during "Segregation" the American Hotel was the only "Quality" Hotel black people were allowed to stay in when visiting Los Angeles.  Mr. Dave called the area Al's Bar is in as a "rough area."  Daisy says that means you could get "Mugged," robbed or beat up.

                      

                                                  DAVIE ALLAN AND THE ARROWS

              About the same time he heard the KINKS You Really Got Me Mr. Steve says a series of "Biker" movies came out.  And in many of those movies the music was done by this band called DAVIE ALLAN AND THE ARROWS.  They used "Fuzz" effects to sound way heavier.

             Dais says over the years our boss has played this DAVIE ALLAN AND THE ARROWS album for people to see their reaction to the distorted fuzz tones.  It's called "Blues Theme" even though it's not really Blues music Dais says.  It's kind of Hard Rock and there's no singing. 

            It was in 1967 that Mr. Steve first heard Blues Theme, when his friend Tim got it.  I've mentioned in my books how Tim and his mom were neighbors in Sylmar.  They did not move out after that huge 1971 "Sylmar" earthquake.  Samson and Delilah are flying toward the north.

  

                                                                                                    JIMMY PAGE    

        

            Dais noticed how Davie Allan plays a "Double Neck" guitar like the one Jimmy Page of LED ZEPPELIN used later.  She says the drums on the ARROWS album weren't loud as back in those days the other instruments were thought to be more important.  Dawn's barking.

           The fuzz guitar tones are what make the songs on the ARROWS album so good Dais says. Mr. Dave listened to it on the Internet and was totally amazed at those old "Biker" movie songs. Over the years there have been a few other people who were impressed in a similar way. 

          From what Daisy told me, that guy Jimmy Page used a double-necked guitar on that song "Stairway to Heaven."  He did that I guess because he needed the twelve string guitar on the opening of the song, but the regular six string on the main body of the song.  I smell Blinky. 

     

"STAIRWAY TO HEAVEN?"

  

           Daisy and Millie saw a tv show about the three Pyramids over there in Egypt, which some have called "Stairways to Heaven" like the LED ZEPPELIN song.   Oh!  I'll bet that is what the song is about.   I smell Charlie Company out there in the desert behind the three Sheds.

           I guess, when the phrase Stairway to Heaven is used about those Pyramids  on the "Giza" Plateau; it's often referring to the biggest one built by that guy King "Khufu" who I've written about before.  Some Ducks are quacking.  But, as usual; Daffy's voice really stands out. 

        Someday I want to hear LED ZEPPELIN'S song Stairway to Heaven.  Mr. Steve told that kid Jason the introduction section sounds a lot alike this other late 1960's song called "Taurus."  Andy's over there, and is being so alert in guarding the entrance to he and Helen's burrow.          

                     

                                                                                                            SPIRIT     

                                 

             I guess "Taurus" was written by that Los Angeles band SPIRIT.  Mr. Dave heard their Guitarist Randy California, when only sixteen; was in Jimi Hendrix's band before Jimi Hendrix went to England.  A little Sparrow holding a twig in its mouth just went hopping bye.  

             Daisy heard our boss and Mr. Rich talk about how some think Jimmy Page "Lifted" or copied the introduction of LED ZEPPELIN'S Stairway to Heaven from SPIRIT'S song Taurus.  Taurus was written by Randy California.  His Stepfather was SPRIRIT'S Drummer.   

             LED ZEPPELIN did "Open Up" for SPIRIT concerts on their first American tour Mr. Steve heard, and those two sections do sound a lot alike he thinks.  He tells people SPIRIT were a "Progressive" Rock band before the term was used.   The sky is so beautiful right now.  

  

AFTERNOON SKY OVER THE DESERT

        

                One time our boss and Mr. Mark talked about how that guy Randy California, whose real last name was "Wolf;" drowned in Hawaii.  He rescued his son from a "Rip Current," but then was pulled out to sea by that same current.  Samson and Delilah are flying toward the east.

           Daisy heard Randy California's body was never found and I wouldn't be surprised if it wasn't eaten  by a Shark or something.  Jimi Hendrix gave him his last name because there were two "Randy's" in his band, the other member he called "Randy Texas."  Daffy's quacking. 

           When they were growing up in Sylmar; that guy Tim's mom Miss "Gladys" had a good Stereo in their living room.  In order to let Mr. Steve and Tim play the Stereo at "High Volume" she would go out with her sister "Barbara."  Miss Sandy liked listening to that Stereo too.  

    

                                   HAMMOND "B3" ORGAN ("LESLIE" SPEAKER)      

      

           Besides having a good Stereo, I guess Tim's mom also had a "Hammond B3" organ in her living room.  Daisy says our boss has fond memories of listening to Miss Gladys play songs from her era.  Andy's sniffing the air over there, and I think he just now picked up my scent.

           Tim's mom's Stereo was the first time our Chief could adjust the "High End" or "Treble," as well as the "Low End" or "Bass."  And Daisy says, that's because the Stereo had a "Graphics Equalizer built right into it."  I guess the Stereo in our boss's bedroom also has that too.  

          Daisy heard our boss and him mom talk about Tim's mom Miss Gladys was one of "Rosie the Riveter" girls in World War II.  She worked in that "Defense Plant" in Burbank.  Marilyn Monroe worked down at Van Nuys Airport then, and her mom was also named Gladys too.

 

                                                                                       "ROSIE THE RIVETER"

        

             Mr. Steve says Tim's mother was a "strong-willed" and decent person.   At times that girl Debra kind of reminded him of Miss Gladys, both being small in size but large in that "Mother's Courage" I've written about.  Neither could be "Intimidated;" or "taken advantage of."  

                 Both Debra and Tim's mother were tough when necessary.  Tim's mother died a few years ago but every once in a while our Chief dreams about her according to Dais.  I'm glad I decided to take her idea of dedicating this third book to all those who've died, like Heathcliff.

            Miss Gladys let Tim turn a bedroom into a miniature town for his Trains, and let him use their garage to work on Cars; as long as he left it clean.  Dais heard our boss joke with his mom how Tim's mom could be "feisty" just like Granny Clampett on the Beverly Hillbillies.

     

                                         NEIL YOUNG                                                      ROD STEWART

          PHOTO BY HENRY DILTZ                                                                                                                                                                                 

      

            Daisy says a few years ago our Chief met a guy who built a miniature town, and what they call a "Landscape" for small Trains.  Mr. Steve told him about how Tim did the same thing in that room.  The guy said Neil Young and Rod Stewart also enjoy miniature "Railroading."  

                 I've mentioned before how someday I want to see that tv show the Beverly Hillbillies and their old "Hound" Dog "Duke" who sleeps a lot.  I've noticed how, the older Daisy gets the more she also likes to sleep too.  But I know right now she's up there resting right but not sleeping.  

           Tim's mom, like Mr. Steve's parents; liked the types of music played on the "Lawrence Welk Variety Show."  It was filmed at the "Hollywood Palladium" and on "Catalina" Island, and those four LENNON SISTERS used to sing on it.  Samson and Delilah are flying bye.

   

            THE "LENNON SISTERS"                     JIMMY JR.                               JR. / TYSON / SR.                                                                                                                                     PHOTOS BY STEVE CÓRDOVA

         

             I just thought of how our boss has had dreams where he and his Grandparents watched the Lawrence Welk Show together.  For all four Grandparents it was one of their favorite tv shows.  Goliath is now crawling out into the back desert through the wider right gate slot. 

            Daisy thinks I would like the Lawrence Welk Show because of all the fancy dancing.  The Lennon Sisters are related to those Boxing "Ring Announcers" Jimmy Sr. and his son Jimmy Jr. who our Chief took pictures of.  Andy's watching Goliath and has a mean look on his face. 

           Tim's mom's organ had what our boss told Mr. Mark was a "primitive drum machine," which he used.  It was the first time he ever thought about the concept of playing over a "Pre-Programmed" drum track.  Mr. Mark uses modern drum machines on some of his music.

      

                                                                      DEEP PURPLE

           Next to Tim's mom's organ in the living room was a big wooden "Leslie" speaker which had cones that spun around the faster you played.  Mr. Steve one time played Miss Gladys DEEP PURPLE'S song "Highway Star."  She called the organ and guitar solos "very melodic."    

          Mr. Steve told Tim's mom DEEP PURPLE'S Jon Lord played a Hammond C3, and she also liked him on "Child in Time."  Even though she didn't care that much for Rock music, she noticed how talented the other Musicians were too.  Leslie speakers are heavy Dais heard. 

          He never had to move Miss Gladys's "Leslie."  But a few years later when he and Chris worked as "Roadies" for that organ player "Gabriel," they had to move Leslie speakers and a Hammond B3 organ to wherever his band was playing.   It wasn't very easy sometimes.  

                

                                                         CHICAGO "SKYLINE"     

                  

           Daisy heard that organ player Gabriel was from Chicago, and came to Los Angeles in the mid-1970's.  He rented the repaired house the "Morse" family had lived in up until that big 1971 Sylmar earthquake.  A Train whistled faintly way out there in the desert to the northeast.  

           Gabriel had curly hair, and he and these two other Musicians rehearsed in the living room of that house.  I guess, by coincidence; the Drummer and Guitarist were both named "Michael."  The Guitarist was tall and had long straight hair, the drummer shorter with more wavy hair.

          Both Michael's were also very good Musicians too, and Mr. Steve and his friends just loved watching them rehearse.  Gabriel had one leg shorter than the other so wore a special shoe.  But he still deftly used it on the organ peddles.  He was able to play any type of music it seemed.

         

                         BACH (1685-1750)                    BEETHOVEN (1770-1827)            COUNT BASIE (1904-1984)

PAINTING BY JOSEPH KARL STIELER

     

            Daisy says one time our boss told Mr. Dave how, that guy Gabriel could play music by Bach, Beethoven and Mozart; and even "Count" Basie too.  On the piano he played Beethoven's "Moonlight Sonata" and "Fur Elise."  Mr. Steve felt "Rhêma" when played sometimes.

           As good a piano player as he was, I guess Gabriel was even better on the organ.  He could play BEACH BOYS, BEATLES and ROLLING STONES songs; but also DEEP PURPLE songs as well.  He at times played the fast-paced music by that Italian guy "Paganini" Daisy heard. 

          One minute you could be hearing Richard Wagner and the next some Blues, Soul or even Rhythm and Blues.   But Gabriel wrote his own songs and often played those too.   "Versatile" is a word Mr. Steve heard a few times used back then to describe that guy Gabriel's playing.

  

                                                                          RICHARD WAGNER (1813-1883)

        

              Over the last three days I've written about those two German words "Weltanschauung" and "Zeitgeist."  Mentioning that Composer Richard Wagner for some reason makes me think of those words again right now.   All four of the Pigeons are now flying over Libby's Corral.              

           As I've said a few times, Weltanschauung means "World View;" while Zeitgeist is how you would say "Spirit of the Times" in German.  The Germanic and Viking stories Wagner used in    "Operas," like "Der Ring Des Nibelungen" I guess; were influenced by both of those words.         

           Mr. Steve's father thinks other cultures besides just the Germans have had "similar" ideas to Weltanshauung.  The early Mesopotamians in the "Story of Gilgamesh," and ancient Greek books like the "Iliad;" were influenced by world views.   Libby's walking around her Corral.  

               

 "DER RING DES LIBELUNGIN"     

        

            Daisy and Millie saw that tv show which talked about how much "Wagnerian" operas influenced Hitler's world view.  The tv show had a "Valkyrie" Viking girl, in a horned helmet; singing loud I guess.   I've mentioned how Valkyrie in German would be "Walküre" 

            Mr. Steve's customer Mr. Harry, who's from "India;" said Hindus show their world view through writings like the "Mahabharata."  Arabs do it in that story story "One Thousand And One Nights" he told our boss.  Leo and Cleo flew bye and I can tell they're feeling happy.  

           In the mid-1970's Gabriel played "Upstairs" at a place in the "South Bay," so our boss and Mr. Chris had to get his organ and two Leslie speakers up there.  It "wasn't easy" Mr. Steve said, and they were relieved when the night was over.  The both "slept well" that night. 

                     

                                                                                   BOOKER T AND THE MG'S   

     

            Earlier I mentioned Booker T and the MG's.  Daisy heard our boss tell Mr. Dave he and his friend Chris loved it when Gabriel played their songs "Green Onions" and "Time is Tight."  I just glanced up in time to see Cher using the right gate slot to go out into the back field.             

           Oh!  I just noticed I forgot to write a few things about that band DAVIE ALLAN AND THE ARROWS, and their a1960's album "Blues Theme."  Many of their "Instrumental" songs were used in those "Biker" movies and had a lot of "Fuzz" tones in them.  Daffy's quacking. 

          After hearing Tim's copy of Blues Theme, our Chief saved up the "allowance" money his parents paid him to buy that album; which I guess he still has it in his  record collection to this day.  Someday I really want to hear that one DAVIE ALLAN AND THE ARROWS album.     

 s_angels.jpg” style=”width: 450px; height: 350px;” />     

 "HELL'S ANGELS"       

     

          Daisy says a few years ago our boss did some artwork for this guy who had been in those "Hell's Angels."  When he mentioned how he liked Big Daddy Roth's art Mr. Steve showed him the cup and other things Mr. Rich has made for him.  He complimented the "Pin Striping."          

         People are always impressed at those catchy melodies on Blues Theme, especially in being shown how it came out in the mid-1960's.  Mr. Mark said the extreme fuzz "gets your attention."  Mr. Steve always plays it really loud and that kid Jason was amazed when he heard it.                   

       Some day I really do want to see one of those astounding "Turntables" work.  How could anyone have even been able to think of how to make something so incredible?  Rudy just ran bye out there in the desert right behind the Sheds, and now is zooming toward Primavera Road.                              

   GIOACHINO ROSSINI (1792-1868)                            THE "LONE RANGER"      

          Daisy heard Mr. Dave say his favorite "fuzzed-out" song on that DAVIE ALLAN AND THE ARROWS album "Blues Theme" is a cover of a famous Classical song called the "William Tell Overture." It's the "Lone Ranger" theme.   Daisy says that song always excited Millie.           

            My Encyclopedia says the William Tell Overture was written back in the 19th century by an Italian man named Gioachino Rossini.  The ARROWS version is even "faster paced" than the 1800's song, and Mr. Dave called the original a "rousing up tempo song."  It is Daisy says.            

          Someday I want to see that old tv show about the Lone Ranger.  Daisy told me Millie loved that show, especially how he wears a black mask.  The Lone Ranger always helps people and has this Indian named "Tonto" who helps him.  Blackbeard and Anne are flying bye right now.          

  

ROY ROGERS / DALE EVANS / TRIGGER

          According to Dais, that guy the Lone Ranger has a white Horse named "Silver."  Just like Roy Rogers' smart Horse "Trigger, Silver sometimes "rears up" on it's back legs too.   I've said a few times in my three books how Roy Rogers and his family lived near us in "Apple Valley."        

           Daisy says a few years ago our boss met a guy from the State of "Oklahoma" who told him he thought the "inspiration" for the Writers of the Lone Ranger was this black man named Bass Reeves.  He was a former Slave but was later a "Bounty Hunter."  A Train whistled faintly.

          A tv show Dais and Millie saw said Bass Reeves hunted down violent criminals at a time when Oklahoma was one of those "Territory's," and mainly where the Indians were kept.  This Encyclopedia says he chased down over three thousand dangerous men.   Dawn's barking.     

  

 BASS REEVES ("DEPUTY U.S. MARSHAL")

(1838-1910)       

          

           It says here how Bass Reeves went with his owner from "Arkansas" when he fought in the Rebel army during the American Civil War.  But he escaped and fled over to "Indian Territory." He learned their languages and stayed with the "Cherokees," "Creek" and "Seminoles."

          Once the "13th Amendment" to the U.S. Constitution was passed outlawing Slavery in all parts of the country, Bass Reeves was free.   Daisy says one time a bullet ricocheted of of his belt and another time a bullet went through his hat.  Boy!  He must've had a Guardian Angel.

         As a law enforcement officer Bass Reeves one time had to track down and capture his own son, and I guess he ended up killing fourteen men during his time as a Bounty Hunter.  Like the Lone Ranger, he at times was clever and used "Trickery" get criminals.   Libby whinnied.

 

MOJAVE" HIGH DESERT   

     

                 That man from Oklahoma told our boss how Bass Reeves used to sometimes give people silver dollars, while the Lone Ranger used and gave away silver bullets.  Daisy says Millie used to feel like running when the Lone Ranger would yell, "High Ho Silver.

           Dais heard the Lone Ranger was a Radio character before the tv version was made.  Both Bass Reeves and the Lone Ranger had Native American assistants helping them out.  .    

          It says here Beethoven one time complimented that guy Gioachino Rossini by telling him he liked his opera "The Barber of Seville;" or "Il Barbiere di Siviglia" in Italian.  Wow!  That is a high compliment when someone like Beethoven says that about your work.  I smell Mesquite.     

            

 "THE DEVIL'S HERD"  ("GHOST RIDERS IN THE SKY")        

    PAINTING BY GEORGE PHIPPEN                       

                

               One time Mr. Steve and his father talked about this old song called "Ghost Riders in the Sky," which that guy Johnny Cash did a version of Daisy heard.  On DAVIE ALLAN AND THE ARROWS album Blues Theme there's a fuzz tone version of it.  I smell Andy over there.

         Like all the other songs on that album Blues Theme, there's no singing on "Ghost Riders."  Daisy says the guitars sound kind of "Haunting" because of the echo used on them.  It says in my Encyclopedia that Ghost Riders in the Sky was originally written back in the year 1948.

        1948 was three years after World War II, when Israel became a country; and a year before Mao's Communists took.  Some say Ghost Riders is a warning for the bad Cowboys to "Change their Ways" or have their souls forever "Condemned" to watch the Devil's ghost Cow herd.

           

       JACK, MOE, MANNY           

        

            Hey God!  Looking out into the eastern desert behind the Sheds right now makes me all of a sudden think of Heathcliff.  As You know, Daisy and I do wonder if You there such a thing as a ghost cow and things like that.  I sure hope Heathcliff's up there with You as he deserves it.

           Boy!  It would be kind of scary to see ghost Cows going bye.  Dais heard ghosts can go out there and even walk on a cloud and not fall all the way down to the ground to be killed.  I guess it must be just like that time Lord, on the "Sea of Galilee; You were able to walk on water.   

              Mr. Steve has at times wondered if maybe the DOORS' song "Riders On The Storm" was influenced by Ghost Riders.  He wishes he had thought to ask Ray Manzarek that question on the night down at the "Starwood" in Hollywood.  Fred, Ed and Ted are flying toward the east.

              

                      THE DOORS                                                                WALL OF VOODOO

               

           That other L.A. band WALL OF VOODOO covered "Ring of Fire," and should have also done Ghost Riders in the Sky too our boss thinks.  They probably liked how "Spaghetti Western" music sounded.  A flock of what looks from way down here like Pigeons are flying eastward.

           Mr. Ralph read there have been many versions of that song Ghost Riders, but the most famous was from the early 1950's I guess.  A Country Western Singer named Vaughn Monroe did it and Mr. Steve's parents really liked it a lot from what Daisy heard.  I smell some Creosote.

          This older lady one time told our boss the Ghost Riders' "Melody" is influenced by that  more "Traditional" song "When Johnnie Comes Marching Home."  Dais says that's a good song which was popular at the time of the American Civil War.  Dawn and Blinky are barking.

  

                                                           NORMAN GREENBAUM

 

           Daisy says our boss talked with Mr. Ralph about another song which they thought might've been influenced by Ghost Riders.  It's called "Spirit In The Sky," and was done back in 1969 by a Jewish guy named Norman Greenbaum.  Mr. Steve was only fourteen in that year.    

         Mr. Steve has heard a few versions of that song Ghost Riders but actually prefers the way DAVIE ALLEN AND THE ARROWS use fuzz guitar on it.   They also play it with a harder "Edge" and faster "Tempo."  Samson and Delilah are both lying towards the northeast.

           According to Dais Norman Greenbaum's song Spirit In The Sky has hand-clapping on it.  I guess our boss likes the heavy, fuzzy guitar sound.  Hey Lord!  Even though Norman Greenbaum is Jewish Daisy thinks he just might also be writing about You way up there in the sky too.   

                

                 NORMAN GREENBAUM                                                        LEMMY

               Daisy heard our Chief tell Mr. Ralph how in some pictures that guy Norman Greenbaum kind of "resembles" MOTÖRHEAD'S Lemmy.  Finley and Fannie flew bye and are now going out into the desert behind the Sheds.  Boy!  I like how they both seem to be so happy today.

           Even though he was born back east in the State of Massachusetts, Mr. Steve was told by a customer near the San Francisco Bay Norman Greenbaum now lives in a a town called "Santa Rosa."  I guess it's located to the north of that big city of San Francisco.  Daffy's quacking.

          Mr. Steve's customer was part "Pomo" Indian, a group of Native California people who have lived for thousands years in the area where Santa Rosa is located.  He said Santa Rosa is the biggest city of the, "Redwood Empire," "Wine Country" and "North Bay."  I smell Sage. 

  

                                                       SANTA ROSA, CALIFORNIA

     

       

     Daisy one time heard our boss talking Mr. Dave in New Mexico.  I guess, he told him about that Parts Manager who's part Pomo; and how his tribe is also called the "Bitakomtara."  Dais says in the Pomo language that is translated to mean, "Those who live at red earth hole."

         That Pomo guy one time talked with our boss about the history of Santa Rosa and how the Spanish first arrived in their area in the second half of the 18th century.  I've written a lot about that subject in my three books.  Two of the Pigeons just flew over the top of the house.

         On Thursday in book one I wrote about how that guy Father Serra and the other Spanish, in 1769; came up here from Mexico in order to settle or colonize "Alta" or "Upper" California.  In that same year they also "Discovered" San Francisco Bay.  A Duck is quacking.   

    

NATIVE CALIFORNIA

                                                                                                                                                                                        PAINTING BY LEIGHTON THOMSON

         Over the last three days I've mentioned a few times how Mr. Dave in Taos is "Hupa" Indian and on the map I can see how their land is to the north of where the Pomo "Homeland" is.  That Parts Manager said the name Pomo was also the name of a village.  I smell Mesquite.  

            Mr. Steve told his friend Dave on the phone how that Pomo guy said his people say "Sin wa ma" when they're welcoming you to their house.  I've mentioned before how Mr. Dave often says "Blessings to All," and "Mitakuye Oyasin;" which is Hupa for "All of our relations."               

            I guess Pomo Indians, like many other indigenous groups too; "Admire" and even "Revere" the Coyote.  That Parts Manager said his people see Coyote's as representing their ancestors and also the "Creator God."  I just noticed Libby walking around over there in her Corral.

                                              

                                                              "POMO" CULTURE 

        PAINTING BY JOE GEARE                                                                        PAINTING BY GRACE CARPENTER HUDSON

        

            Oh wow!  There are two good paintings of Pomo Indians here in this Encyclopedia.  One is of a man dancing and the caption underneath the other painting says that it shows a Pomo girl in front of some burning Sage.  And of course I notice how she's playing a little flute. 

          Boy!  I really like how the Pomo Indians use Bird feathers in their clothes.  I would definitely wear a hat like the one that girl is wearing.  

         Pomo Parts Manager told our Chief that, like many other Native people who were here in the America's before the Spanish; European disease killed many Pomo.  He said by the early 19th century ninety percent of the Pomo Indians had died from "Smallpox."

   on the Blues Theme album The Arrows play a song called "Thunderball;" which is from a James Bond movie of the same name.  Like all the "Bond" movies,   Thunderball is about British Intelligence and secret agent 007 in the early 1960's.  

      Our Chief read a book about World War II espionage and part of it dealt with that man Ian Flemming who was in British Naval Intelligence then.  For much of the war he was what they call "stationed" outside of London at that place called "Bletchley Park."

     after the war, during the 1950's, Ian Flemming used the knowledge he gained fighting the Nazi's to write his James Bond novels.  But Mr. Steve said they weren't that successful until President Kennedy told reporters he liked them.  

   Since he was a kid our boss has liked the James Bond movies based on the books.  He told us he hasn't seen any from the last few years but still enjoys watching those from the 1960's.  The first  Bond movie was called "Dr. No" and had a character in it named "Odd Job."                                

      I want to see that movie Dr. No.  Dais and Millie saw it.  Daisy says the villain named Dr. No has a radio wave weapon like what Nikola Tesla described and his bodyguard is a Korean man named Odd Job whose very strong and has a neat hat with a blade on the edges. 

      Dr. No came out at the end of 1962 when our Chief was seven years old.  His mom didn't let him see it until a few years later.  When he was older he found out that Dr. No was being shown about the same time as this thing called the "Cuban Missile Crisis."

     another James Bond character named "Jaws."  He was a big giant who had steel teeth that could even bite a thick metal cable in half she says.  Mr. Steve told her that in the movie "Moonraker" he was different from the original Ian Flemming character.

   that giant man Jaws was so strong he could bend a metal bar in his mouth using his steel teeth.   She says if we ever had to fight someone like Jaws we'd have to work as a team and never get close enough to him so he could grab us.

        in the 1980's he used to take pictures of the Boxer whose nickname was Jaws.  His real name was Alex Garcia and he was from San Fernando Daisy says.  He was kind of unique in that he was a Heavyweight "Latino" fighter.                                         

       The reason our boss took pictures of that boxer Alex was because his manager and trainer at the time was this guy whose nickname was "Blinky" just like our Blinky.  He was a "Kickboxer" before then and was married to Benny "the Jet" Urquidez's sister Lilly.

      I'm still thinking about that band the Arrows.  Mr. Steve says their version of  Thunderball  is heavier than the song that was used in the James Bond movie.  That's why he likes it better.  Our boss often prefers what they call "faster-paced" or "harder" Rock songs. 

      Mr. Steve likes the way Robert Johnson plays Blues but actually likes even better the way musicians like Eric Clapton play Blues in a harder Rock way.  And, as much as appreciates Bob Marley's Reggae, he would rather listen to the Police's heavier Reggae songs.

             Our Chief really likes the acoustic Blues music of Robert Johnson or John Lee Hooker.  But he likes even more the electric Blues by Z Z TOP or Stevie Ray Vaughn.  And Jimmy Page, Jeff Beck and Eric Clapton are British but Mr. Steve told us he likes their Blues.

      Mr. Steve has seen a few Reggae concerts and even has some of that guy Bob Marley's music on Cassettes.  He likes Jamaican Reggae a lot.  But again, Mr. Steve prefers bands like the POLICE who at times do a heavier version of Reggae.

        Mr. Steve saw a concert by a guy from Jamaica named Peter Tosh.  It was a good show he told us.  Peter Tosh plays a form of Reggae called "Ska."  But Mr. Steve likes even better this one band called NO DOUBT who do slightly heavier versions of Ska music.  

                          NO DOUBT grew up near Disneyland.  Daisy told me the singer is a really pretty girl who has blonde hair.  She and Millie once watched a show on them and says the girl singer seems like she would be a really good "mommy."

                  boss likes the British humor like the group called  "Monty Python."  And there used to be this one band called the BONZO DOG DOO DAAH BAND or "BONZO DOG" for short.  

            Originally I was scheduled to write about that British group Monty Python on Thursday in book one.  But somehow I missed it on my outline.  I was panicking until Daisy said I could just put in this section when I mention that band BONZO DOG.  

        One time Daisy and Millie were in Mr. Steve's Bedroom and watched a really funny movie by those guys Monty Python.  It was about that famous King named "Arthur" and his "Knights of the Round Table."  

       Hey Lord!  As You know of course, Daisy and Millie liked that Monty Python movie.  It was about about how King Arthur and his Knights searched for the "Holy Grail" which was the cup You and Your twelve Apostles used at that last "Passover" supper before You died.

     Python's movie was so funny.  She thinks that's mainly because he's read about the the story of "Camelot" and King Arthur.  Mr. Steve thinks  probably wasn't a  King Arthur.  

       King Arthur and his Knights don't even need Horses to ride.  They just hop around as if they were riding Horses while this guy pounds two Coconut shells together to make the sound of a trotting Horse.  

       Hey Lord!  As You know, someday if I ever get over my fear of enclosed places I want to see Monty Python's movie.  As I mentioned the day before yesterday in book one, if we had the Holy Grail we'd definitely share it with certain others.  

           As You know Lord, if we had that Holy Grail cup we would let everyone around here drink water out of it.  Maybe they, and us too; could live longer.  Maybe we could even have saved good old Heathcliff?  

       Daisy and I would love to travel back time to see the last meal You had with Your Apostles Lord.  That would be so great!  Daisy and I would really listen to what You said and learn.  I'm sure Mr. Steve would want to go with us too.  We could meet You Blessed Mother.

       Lord, some think the cup You used at "The Last Supper" was made out of gold and had big emeralds, diamonds and gems on it.  If that's true it would be worth so much money!  But Mr. Steve thinks it's probably just an ordinary everyday cup.  

                                                     picture i painting by da Vinci.   shows "Your last supper Lord.  he caption  says  was  exact moment You told  Disciples  one would betray You.

       caption also says  Apostle to Your right  Saint John but looks female.  Maybe  Mary Magdelane!   wonder if Leonardo da Vinci knew something? 

     in  Python movie one of King Arthur's Knights fights  other Knight cuts off  arms legs.  But  brave Knight would not give up!   keeps ighting!  

       "Parody."   means a "farcical imitation of a literary or musical word or style."  That's what the Monty Python movie did .  Mr.  thought writers  clever.  

        "BONZO DOG."   funny songs in  different styles.   "Can Blue Men Sing The Whites" was kind of clever.  

                                                                                        white musicians England  early ROLLIN STONES,  Beck  Clapton 

       To a certain extent  original Blues inspired by  pain struggle of black .  So other races cannot empathize  But can sympathize 

        Sister Rita Joseph  explained  difference between empathy  sympathy.  

            JOHN LEE HOOKER (1917-2001)                         "HOWLIN " WOLF (1915-1983)

      Blues music by  Muddy Waters John Lee Hooker great.  In  their time  no such thing as  electric guitar.   So  music  softer.  

        Mr. subjective opinion heavier electric guitarmake Blues  as good as  original.   likes louder more energetic music that has drums   

                                                      JIMMY PAGE / ERIC CLAPTON / JEFF BECK (1977)

                1960's YARDBIRDS.   Clapton,  Beck Page; wereinfluenced by  Blues  

                            STEVIE RAY VAUGHN (1954-1990)

       In 1990 Mr. Steve Harriet saw Stevie Ray Vaughn  Sports Arena; where DEF    LEPPARD                        

        a few weeks after Mr.and Harriet saw Stevie Ray  Jeff Beck died Helicopter crash.  Wisconsin;  where Mr. Mark is from                      

     Stevie Ray Vaughn another example  don't have to be black to play  Blues.  Mr. plays  "Scuttle Buttin"                

       British band from the 1960's called the BLUESBREAKERS.  I can tell that it's one of those black and white pictures that's been printed on silk paper and then colored.  

         leader of the BLUESBREAKERS  John Mayall  British.  

        a lot of  English musicians started  Mayall's band.   Clapton Jack Bruce  later in  CREAM 

          FLEETWOOD  I wrote about how recorded albums sound City.   was a later version MAC.

      1960'soriginal FLEETWOOD Blues band.  And a lot of them started with Mayall.  

          in early 1970's Mr. Sandy concerts  Palladium because  met that girl Lisa Valley College  a friend of  Promoters.   also knew  Mayall.

     some didn't believe Lisa when said she knew Mayall.   Mr.Sandy gave  "Benefit of Doubt."

       Then one time Mr.  Sandy, and friends;  at  "Cinerama Dome"   came walking up aisle  Lisa  John Mayall.   

            Mayall lived on  "Laurel Canyon."  But  house burned  valuable things inside.  

           guy who told Mr. about John Mayall's house burning also said during  Korean War John Mayall  in British army.  in 1964 was in  band with John Lee Hooker.   

     had customer "Marty" historian  Blues  lived Chicago  library Blues music.  told him bob hite.

       Marty "Edited"three Videotapes from  Library  sent  to Mr.    took a lot of time effort Mr. appreciated

        One dedicated  Blues  the other two have many of other types of music Marty knew  boss likes many  styles.    

       To pay Mr. Marty back boss sent copies of pictures 1980's.  Dio phil collins stevie nicks on the Blues Video are  famous  not so famous musicians.  

                                                                         INDIGINOUS

     on  Blues Video concert by INDIGINOUS.    Lakota Sioux    

         Great Depression black musicians like Robert Johnson created Blues music because  difficult lives.  But in England 1960's shows how poverty, misery  struggle aren't necessarily  "prerequisite" 

         1980's Mr. Harriet onnecction.   North Hollywood Nightclub "FM Station."  Harriet mother also lived  North Hollywood. 

     

                                                                 ALAN MIRIKITANI

            Mr.  Harriet saw at FM Station B.B. CHUNG KING & THE SCREAMING BUDDAHEADS.  Blues songs  guitar player    Japanese-American from  Downey.   Alan Mirikitani.                                  

     Because Harriet mother also lived North Hollywood they did shows around there.  

      in  1950's all bands use  same drums.   because  drummer for Dion and the Belmonts had to go to the hospital Valens played                                                      

                                        other famous people at  Mission Cemetery.  One  Bob Hope.                                         

  Bob Hope lived Valley  wife children.  now airport named after Burbank.  

       BOB HOPE (1903-2003) AND WIFE    

              Wow!  Bob Hope died when one hundred  "Toluca Lake."   from  World War II     entertain  "troops"                                 

   Besides Bob Hope actor at San Fernando Mission  William Frawley.   Fred Mertz  wife on that show from New Mexico  Vivian Vance.         

    WILLIAM FRAWLEY (1887-1966)

       boss read  William Frawley, who played  "cantankerous" landlord I Love Lucy, was  misanthrope.  had   low opinion  human nature.   also in "My Three Sons"                                                                  Both Frawley Vance have stars on Hollywood.  disliked each other.                        

          "comfort zones."  After I got used to living here one  things I did  find comfort zones; like here   I went to great effort to dig out shape

     I've shaped my "trench"   I love my trench but I love Elvira  

             From  trench not only can  escape heat but  hear  Train whistles  better.  Dais doesn't care about Trains thinks if you've heard one Train whistle you've heard them all   Trains sound even better at night!

       My trench cool becauseshady funnels breezes  off eastern desert  And, from there can quickly respond  any situation on two acres. 

           I love my trench!  my "sanctuary!"  I'd fight to protect it; just as  this couch!  I think of my trench as “Home Court.” I feel  have advantage there because I know every inch 

             when laying in trench I think One time resting there dawned on me why Mr. likes Beach Boys "In My Room." This couch my trench are  my room.  

              Mr.  "Für Elise" she told me it's all piano and kind of slow and soft sounding.  a sad song  Samantha learned 

                Daisy usually in garage cold days. Me too  But, in  hot weather I share my  trench was Daisy who  made me aware breezes  from northeast.  

               funny sight  Daisy  asleep  trench against house. lies on back, legs up    when sound asleep dreaming, kicks bites at breezes.  are times when snores;  loud!

            now usually have good dreams.  But every once in while Lilith   tells me  do wrong things.  Sometimes looks kind of      pretty and is nice.      

        Thunder lightning used to terrify me  more  Even when Mr. hold pet me I still shivered shook uncontrollably. Dais tried  calm me  too     

               wish ould tell  boss  main reason I seem cowardly when thunder  lightning  because I'm remembering storm.  "Flash Flood" almost drowned me.  

             don't know which  worse, thunder  lightning.  both terrible.  Just as Mr.  still has dreams about broke ones or  cut; I have nightmares about drowning.  

             Water one of  most important things  with   drought makes us appreciate  more.  Mr.  jokes water  good "in moderation." Drinking contest girl died.

            got over my fear  thunder lightning on that one warm Summer night when  sat  patio watching  "Thunder Storm."  storm on eastern horizon; beyond Apple Valley 

     Roy Rogers  "Singing Cowboy."  for many years Museum  Apple Valley.  

              Mr. customer bob  Missouri.  he  wife kids  go to  Roy Rogers Museum  "Branson;"             Rogers   "Trigger."  "Palomino."   I want to be like Trigger Mr. Peabody!  I'm also learning to count 

            On nightStormnice cool breezes. wasn't raining Pinon Hills but Mr.s aid we had an unbelievable natural "Light Show"   to make better, every few minutes explosion of light  delayed lightning bolt would go off  to  north.

      As Mr.  Daisy and I watched in amazement at "the fireworks,"  listened   Radio.  Mr. brother Sam calledA's playing        

             In most years A's  “buried”  last place by that point  But were in first! 

             Because of that night I now really like   A's!   Daisy  I were never petted so much

             I realized on that night thunder lightning not so scary. later, Mr.  forced me  stay with Daisy inside  Utility during  rain storm  I'm proud of that.   making progress.

           good part that night  Thunder Storm  listening to  A's game being with boss  Daisy.   bad part  A's got slaughtered  Anaheim Stadium!

                 though not as afraid of thunder  lightning now    will never forget awful storm when homeless  nightmare!   rain  pouring down so hard  flooded right through all  bushes I used for cover. I got  sick!

           I thought I was goner during  storm!   sky "opened up" engulfed me torrent of water.  coming down "in buckets."    soaked “to the bone”   

           maybe Saint Francis saved me? Or maybe  You Virgin Mary?    Maybe was just pure luck and things don't happen for reason.  Maybe life just "random chance"  no purpose? 

              Daisy  I not the first “duo” to live around Mr.  When lived Sylmar two Cats who, like Daisy and I, were different from each other.  

           gray female cat thick fur like Daisy  “Miss Foot.”  had  extra toe on each foot so no one wanted her.   Mr. joked, also had extra claws.  One of his nicknames  "Razor Feet."

   

           I like hearing about  Foot  "Mookie Wilson."  Mookie pure white male  Miss Foot  “lap” cat, Mookie disliked  held  touched unless gave permission.  Daisy would be  lap Dog but s too big!

     Miss Foot liked  held  petted  tested everyone by going up  rubbing against  legs see if they'd hold her. Daisy sometimes doesI'm starting to do this with Mr. Steve too.

     Mookie  short-haired  Miss Foot thick fur like Daisy.  Chief jokes Daisy might be reincarnated Miss Foot.  Daisy does like held petted 

            At time owned Miss Foot and Mookie  Emily's Cat.was only one could pick up  hold ouldn't try to scratch .

           Emily named Mookie.  One day Mr. Emily  watching a game on t.v.  broadcast from New York City.  Mets were playing Dodgers.  Emily grew up  "Long Island"                                                                                                                                                                   

    At that time Mookie kitten. boss  Emily trying to decide name  screen showed "Mookie" Wilson Emily said, "That's it!" Mookie had name.                                      

        Later that year, 1985, Mets beat Red Sox World Series.  And Mookie Wilson  involved in famous play  hit ball Bill Buckner made

error. 

             On Mets that year Gary Carter.  catcher one of best players on team.  The next year Mr. Steve sold he and cousin Lakers.   Carter died  

             Mookie allowed Emily hold pet  a lap cat. trusted her! With anyone else  bite  scratch if  tried to touch when he didn't want

            boss jokes  Mookie “let me know” when in no mood to be held. can still almost feel  sharp  claws.  Mookie quick too.  In an instant could swipe  paw and cut you deep    

            Sylmar Mr. would often sit on bed read.  sometimes left  window above  bed open so Mookie and Miss Foot could come in  out whenever wanted 

            If Foot jumped down onto bedopen window would  lay down next to Mr.    wanted contact.  if Mookie jumped down went to empty space  did not want contact.

          Oftentimes Mookie would lay down on  corner of bed and begin licking  grooming  ignoring  boss. Mr. says if he even hinted he might touch or pet him Mookie stopped "mid-lick" like a frozen frame on “pause.”

            glare dirty look "Mook" gave Mr. stopped  any further thought of  boss coming near   So, most of time, Chief went back to reading white Cat alone. 

      After Mr. went back to reading Mookie continued second half of  lick as if nothing  happened. as if  pause button released 

            boss  pretended  going to touch Mookie.  would  "faint" moves make Mookie start  stop licking like turning light switch on  off.  Mr.  at times just went back to reading.  But at other times  grab Mookie.                    

            If boss did lunge at Mookie would wrestle bed and Mr.   try  grab Mookie before  got  claws out     like "Pink Panther"  French detective Inspector Clouseau "Sarte."  Sarte  police  French.   

                                                                                                  If boss lucky  grabbed held Mookie immobile. If  didn't time  right got clawed   hands.  admits childish game but wanted to show could be quick too.

          once Mookie relaxed, Mr.  would deposit in  exact spot picked from. would both  go back to what  doing as if nothing  happened.  After  while Mookie knew game so gave up.

           hief had patio ecause house was in corner between hills,  patio  two-tiered. e top level  built by  Grandpa Trujillo after  1971 quake."

            Mr. used to pull armchair  top level of  patio read. Miss Foot  curled up next to  feet.  would lick groom  fur.  Mookie often did samenearby.

           Cats amazing reflexes.   Sparrow landed   wall  patio.  Mookie busy below  wall grooming.   froze.  Bird didn't see below Something  going to happen.

           Bird looked left right before taking off.  But Mookie,  "blink of an eye"  intercepted mid-flight   heard "crunch" as bit  throat. 

            Before Mookie   Bird landed  Sparrow dead.   never knew what hit him"  life ended   "split second." like plane hit by  "Surface to Air Missile."

           Mookie looked at Mr.  dirty look  didn't want to give up prize.   were times when  jumped down from  bedroom window holding  dead Gopher knew boss would take  away.  Mr. Steve took away Bird! 

            New York City   "Do the right thing."   "directed" Spike Lee.   main character, "Mookie,"  played by Spike Lee

                Miss Foot died  Chief buried lot owned next to house.   same lot "Lady," Now a house      Whereas Miss Foot stayed close to house, Mookie  alway wandering around neighborhood  one day disappeared.  boss looked "high and low"  was  sad   Emily  upset.

             In 1520 Cortez tried  escape  Aztecs attacked every step   Many drowned  loaded  gold  silver. 

            1520  "la noche triste"  "the sad night"  Mr. thought of losing Mookie as his noche triste.  

                      Lately, I've been laying under  bush front gate;  shaped   plant umbrella. When boss leaves, we wait under  But only one fits at a time so take turns.

              Daisy  I know most of time, when Mr. gets back, gives snack!  ives us bones  rawhides, I prefer wood rubber balls.

                  if our house  ever destroyed may have to use fire at night  predators, man  animal. Fires will keep warm.  We'll never run out of wood!   even morein  desert We're wood rich!

            Mr. believes US fortunate since 1945.  ecause  won  big gest war get  biggest benefit in history.  allowed “middle class.”

          I think Mr. us middle class!  Most countries  rich poor  small middle   America has  biggest middle of all time but, boss thinks, Americans  living in  “bubble”  “cocoon.”

      “false sense of security.” Americans over confidant like   Rome.

            refrigerator freezer in garage extra food drink   bottles  “Sparklets”  Mr. “rotates”   extra batteries, matches  paper products. He jokes we becoming Mormons  

            boss says, if   “rough it” for a while we can . We'll  “persevere,” even if one day at a time.  jokes  we'll survive because  have no other choice We'll “manage” be “just fine.”

             we give Nancy  same sad face use on  boss when   coax food out of    Nancytwo dogs, Buzz   Adie.  also has rescue cats 

                 “Good Vibrations”  Beach Boys.   Hindu   “Kharma.”  if you try  put out good Kharma  will usually, but not always,  good Kharma back.  I want to believeKharma!

      religions share beliefs. Jesus said, “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you” and "You reap what you sow.”  The Hindu “Anusasana Parva,” four thousand years ago said; “Never do to another which one regards as injurious to one's self.” 

                   “Golden Rule”  not just religious. Primitive man had to survive in   hostile environment so cooperation  practical.   “What goes around comes around.”

               good does not always come back just because you do right thing.  often evil wins.  better  just try to do  right thing not expect  rewarded.  Do  for it's own sake  or punished

  

                       Nancy threw  flat soccer ball. was light green had  hole  But, sadly, I chewed on  so much Mr.  threw in Rex took to dump 

               Nancy works Phelan, Rite Aid; in same shopping complex as Stater   In her nice blue uniform, looks pretty white Chevy which looks like a PT Cruiser.

      Daisy thinks Nancy friendly smile! Mr. says as part of job,  has to be patient with "the public."  Dealing with people not always easy  takes a certain type of person, of which he is not, 

                                           I like Miss Nancy!  One time, Mr. Steve purposely left front gate open  was testing Daisy and I; to see if we'd leave.  took Rex pick up  plywood knew wouldn't be gone  long.

                    Lucy white, black gray markings.  green eyes filled with curiosity and “joie de vivre,”  “joy of life.”

           Lucy friendly not mean  Mr.  does not want vicious but  does want act mean. 

           Lucy died young! rat chewed hole plastic "excess" water tank in 

                  Some of Barney's antifreeze dripped . Lucy licked  poisoned.  dogs like taste of "coolant."

             Mr. now will only put water in  radiators even in extreme weather 

                    boss in shock  state of disbelief        a bad dream.

           Mr. emotions swung between anger grief as  lowered Lucy into  ground; blaming himself  cursing  world for  unfairness.But, in end, realized death just tragic unforeseeable 

        mike randy  Nancy, say they also miss  Lucy millie            Inside manny extra couch cushions.  picked up   roadsides 

       Lucy in habit  biting  ripping apart cushions. 

          I like  feeling on my teeth when gnaw on wood, Lucy liked soft material 

           caught "red-handed" Lucy Millie shredding  couch cushion  from elvira.

           Lucy Millie like kids having food fight; playing “Tug of War” 

          Lucy Millie strong jaws. Neither wanted  let go of  cushion. Mr. Steve says the scene was funny 

          Padding strewn everywhere  was on everything, including hanging from Lucy Millie's faces bodies.

 cleanup job huge but Mr. couldn't be mad because was comical  Lucy Millie's quizzical, "what me?" looks 

         just have to save  cushions. might come in handy 

        sometimes listens to  Jewish man  Dennis Prager 

One of  things our boss agrees with Prager  idea happiness does not come naturally.

          Prager, believes at times has to make  conscious effort to be happy because aremany things  to be unhappy about.

         Life can be cold-blooded  unjust.

            Delphi,  “KNOW THYSELF.” are times when he is not most optimistic person 

           At times boss describes self  “pessimist,”   “skeptic” about humanity; especially  younger generation  sees   shallow superficial, even  “weak-minded.”

          Mr. would rather be alone much of  time. But,  not alone! Has us

             are times when boss forces himself to act happy.  for, sake of others.

           boss  amused when read  quote W.C. Fields; “Start every day with a smile and get it over with.”

         Prager agrees with boss only two types rita joseph decent and indecent.

           Near Lucy's grave Millie was a black "Lab mix." got as  puppy Stater 

           Millie  "runt"   As with myself, some joked Millie might bring good luck.

          Mr.  happy to have Lucy Millie,  Daisy and I now. Even when things aren't going  well in  “real world” Daisy and I  here for him.

        Millie killed when four ran out onto Oasis 

            truck ran  over.  on that morning  fog  "as thick as in London." Get Smart

           always dark at night and, with fog so thick,  boss didn't see Millie get out when  opened gate  3:30 a.m.

People  drive  too fast on Oasis 

         On day Millie killed Mr.  arrived back home twelve hours later. knew immediately something  wrong. Only Daisy met him at  gate.

           surge of fear filled Mr.  Looking down Oasis  shuddered seeing corpse.

         Mr. randy picked up Millie's body. wrapped in blanket, loaded small wagon  brought  back to burial

         If randy had not been there helping bury Millie, Mr. would have cried. But,  sadness hit him later and did cry. Daisy also sad.

Millie, Lucy, buried on  south side of  house, At least they'll be next to each other forever  I'd like buried next to Daisy.

 Lucy Millie  wrapped in  favorite blankets, 

         Lucy Millie! Mr. still thinks about them so, still make feel happy.

           Just as calls us his "girls," used to call Lucy and Millie same 

            Rocks cover Lucy Millie's graves. Daisy and I watch whenever Mr. cleans 

          Millie, like myself, fast  resembled Cheetah when ran “flat out;” “full throttle” .

         enjoyed running 

           On their side of fence, dawn  barking carrying on, race Millie but, like Lucy, couldn't keep up  Millie too fast!

                           dirt path Millie carved along the south fence,  her  "Drag Strip," now gone, eroded 

When  young  “Street Races.” Chevelle father bought Rick.

            like punk kid Street Races, Millie would “egg on” dawn barking  hoping  get angry  coax into racing. mexican spanishamerican vietnam

            Millie like racing Fawn. Mr.  a bit concerned how angry dawn seem to get at Millie. joked about calling “The Dog Whisperer”  ask advice. 

Mr.  says Millie even had  "launch pad,"  "starting block" near  front fence.  gone now 

As Mr.  says; “Nothing lasts forever.”

            wish  could have met Lucy  Millie! Even more  would have liked to race Millie.

        "Maginowski" or "Dasinovich."

           Mr. called Millie "Milasaurus." Lucy "Lucinda Williams."

 mother hummed while  cooked  worked. 

Mr. Steve's mother, who's in  70's, Troops sang 

           A few years ago, Mr.  father started to whistle more. Mr.  thinks  influenced,  osmosis, wife's cheery personality 

        Sometimes Mr. Steve cries slightly when arranges rocks on  graves. He doesn't care if Daisy and I see him but  glad no one else  there.

Mr. says, just as he'll never forget Lucy's happy eyes, he'll never forget Millie's face, and crooked smile.

Mr.  believes  important  leave  good legacy in minds of friends family.  “Nachlass,”  German for “what's left behind.”

           boss says Lucy Millie left  good legacies in minds Millie trained Lucy just as Daisy trained me.

  Lucy Millie died young  Lady lived  twenty years. 

        One time, as Mr. cleaned graves,   Tecumseh said, “Let us form one body, one heart, and defend to the last warrior our country, our homes, our liberty, and the graves of our fathers.”

 when Daisy I make rounds, I think  Tecumseh's quote. protecting our land,  Lucy Millie's Blackie graves.

              Mr.  jokes world "revolves around our little pocket of land"  “parcel.”      now prefers  slower life to  crowded city.

Mr.  says our lives aren't perfect but  better than  6 billion  

Mr. says failure  normal  just have to take “calculated “ risks.

         boss thinks  better  fail knowing  did best than knowing  didn't, even if everyone thinks you did  Mike Sciosa,  said; “If we consistently do our best but lose we can then live with it.”

 boss says  when things  going badly  admit reality  “suck it up.” Just keep working.

        Mr. mother told children “If something  worth doing,  worth doing right!" 

         Mr.  seldom idyl.  says time  dual in nature. Like  coin  double edged sword,    can be  blessing  curse.

          Time most valuable  “Time heals all wounds.” However,  “Time can also be unforgiving.”

          For Mr. to waste time almost  sin. On many days  “aren't enough hours in the day.”

      During Mr.  dark periods, would have thought you crazy if  told him something good would come out . Any "silver lining"  buried in  black.

       

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