berdugo

I was recently asked about growing up, the youngest surviving sibling in my family and suddenly remembered something my sister had told me about being so lonely at home with out a sibling closer than the 12 years separating my sister and myself (years would pass before Bob joined the family and gave me an additional sibling closer to my age) that I invented an invisible imaginary friend. Living in Eaglerock at the time, our most common road taken to shop in Glendale was Verdugo Road. My friend was named Berdugo after the street. My mother related my comical antics to a friend with whom she worked, and viola a song was penned about me and the friend. Thank goodness it never made it to the recording studio.


I’m a little boy who’s only four but wise as I can be,
For I know that mom wont spank me for the things that she don’t see,
For in my mind, I am inclined to have a friend,
his name is Berdugo and he takes all the blame.

I wrapped the goldfish in a towel for they looked wet to me,
Toothpaste Indians on the wall with a big chief like me,
Mom tears her hair and nearly swears for what have I to say,
I said Berdugo done it and he takes all the blame.

I’m a little boy who’s only four but wise as I can be,
For I know that mom wont spank me for the things that she don’t see,
For in my mind, I am inclined to have a friend,
his name is Berdugo and he takes all the blame.

I put glue in daddy shoe so it wouldn’t stretch,
Daddy told my mommy that he’ld like to break my neck,
For this crime I had to pay, though Berdugo was to blame,
So I got the licken and Berdugo took the blame

For I’m a little boy who’s only four but wise as I can be,
I know that mom wont spank me for the things that she don’t see,
In my mind, I am inclined to have a friend,
his name is Berdugo.... and he takes all the blame.

I am sure there were more verses but at nearly 56 years later, I cant recall them.

Hope you enjoy a laugh from this.

Bon Voyage

My name is schkowteechk and was given to me by Emeelia Okigawa, a Tlingit shaman, the earth mother of few. A glaaka not, though biologically incorrect. As I served my mission, it was unfortunate that my biological parents were over 1000 miles away as this occurred and unable to observe. The name referring to the overseer of a boat or the one in front leading and guiding the way.

Since this occurred, almost 40 years ago, in the small Alaskan hamlet of Petersburg, I reflect back as to how appropriate the name has become. I am, as most are aware, the most miserable follower and usually move to the forward of any pack. Co-incidentally my patriarchal blessing states that I am, to be, a most miserable follower and will always step into a leadership roll. “Thou shalt always be a leader, and let me state more, other titles of leadership wilt thou have, in thy day and age in the world.” The world,… really?

Perhaps this has been to my detriment as I am very competitive in most situations and become easily offended if unable to take the lead. This has occurred in family, church and community and can probably be well documented.

The snow was falling heavy in the Wrangell Narrows as the captain negotiated the narrow crack between the two islands to bring the ship of many, safely to port with only the guiding light of continual beacons to follow and turn. The singular lighthouse beacon of uninhabited San Salvador Island marking the spot that Columbus stumbled upon what he thought was India, actually discovering the Americas. Angels gate at Los Angeles Harbor that separates the protected from the open sea and Santa Catalina only a few miles, but a different world away.

I have found that some of my most memorable experiences have occurred co-incidentally, as schkowteechk the overseer of a boat. Today as we depart, and sail down the Missippi, your mother will know where to find me as we leave New Orleans for the Yucatan and ports further south. My mind will reflect back to the insight of Emeelia Okigawa, the earth mother of few. A glaaka not, though biologically incorrect.

BonVoyage

My name is schkowteechk and was given to me by Emeelia Okigawa, a Tlingit shaman, the earth mother of few. A glaaka not, though biologically incorrect. As I served my mission, it was unfortunate that my biological parents were over 1000 miles away as this occurred and unable to observe. The name referring to the overseer of a boat or the one in front leading and guiding the way.

Since this occurred, almost 40 years ago, in the small Alaskan hamlet of Petersburg, I reflect back as to how appropriate the name has become. I am, as most are aware, the most miserable follower and usually move to the forward of any pack. Co-incidentally my patriarchal blessing states that I am, to be, a most miserable follower and will always step into a leadership roll. “Thou shalt always be a leader, and let me state more, other titles of leadership wilt thou have, in thy day and age in the world.” The world,… really?

Perhaps this has been to my detriment as I am very competitive in most situations and become easily offended if unable to take the lead. This has occurred in family, church and community and can probably be well documented.

The snow was falling heavy in the Wrangell Narrows as the captain negotiated the narrow crack between the two islands to bring the ship of many, safely to port with only the guiding light of continual beacons to follow and turn. The singular lighthouse beacon of uninhabited San Salvador Island marking the spot that Columbus stumbled upon what he thought was India, actually discovering the Americas. Angels gate at Los Angeles Harbor that separates the protected from the open sea and Santa Catalina only a few miles, but a different world away.

I have found that some of my most memorable experiences have occurred co-incidentally, as schkowteechk the overseer of a boat. Today as we depart, and sail down the Missippi, your mother will know where to find me as we leave New Orleans for the Yucatan and ports further south. My mind will reflect back to the insight of Emeelia Okigawa, the earth mother of few. A glaaka not, though biologically incorrect.

K F W B, Color Radio, Channel 98. Eu E eu ah ah ting tang walla walla bing bang, and oh yeah the One eyed one horned flying purple people eater… number one on the big hit parade. “Standing on the corner watching all the girls go by,” on the one band AM radio of my dads Black and gold 1957 Ford Fairlane… a HOT car with tail fins. It was the late fifties and early sixties, and I was growing up in Los Angeles. Pope Pius from Rome and Jimmy Swaggart from New Orleans were on the television preaching religion along with the Grand Ole Opry. It wasn’t Lincoln or Washington but some old guy named Ike who didn’t have hair, was the president. My aunt and uncle were democrats and they were supporting some guy running for president who was from Massachusetts and named Kennedy ( no chance of winning-Nixon the VP would win the race). Marilyn Monroe and Jack Lemmon in, “The Seven Year Itch.” Hot stuff. Unfortunately that was adult stuff and I was just a kid.
I remember the night air on the Westside smelling sweet with the scent of night blooming jasmine, Sand dunes and salt flats on the way to the beach. It was only 6 blocks from my aunts house on Maxcella to Lincoln Blvd and the sand dunes where just across the road. (two lanes back then) cross the road and a vast playground for myself and cousins to play war and hide in the dunes and grass. When the rains came and flooded Venice and parts of Mar Vista, they just ran hoses down the streets and pump the water into the dunes and what was then wetlands.
Marina Del Rey (high priced real estate) now occupies this area now and the Pacific Coast Highway that actually ran along the beach back then became Highway 1 and was moved inland to Lincoln Blvd which was then widened. Later the Richard Nixon Freeway (SR90-Marina Freeway)would be built and link all this area to the newly built San Diego Freeway (I-405). These freeways as well as the Santa Monica (I-10) would soon be built. Dirt roads would be replaced with pavement and trees that had been planted would grow tall.

40th anniversary

Other than a few trips across the Mexican border for fishing and scout trips, I had never really left the sovereign territory of the United States. My friend and companion Don Roberts whom I had grown up with, was able to catch the more direct flight even though he had mis-placed his ticket. The rest of us had to take the milk run by leaving first and arriving last. Stopping 1st in what appeared to be a frozen waist land called Boise, we flew on to Portland, Seattle, and finally about dusk we landed just off the coast at a place called Lulu Island and we were finally there (well almost finally there). The van ride was short to downtown where pictures were taken in a professional photo studio. (Lucky for me, as I had crashed and burned the night prior and had a bandage and stitches in my chin- they were able to cover it up well). Finally up the hill to Shawnessey Heights and the mission home and our long journey was over. Or should I say the journey had begun.
40 years ago today I arrived in Vancouver, British Columbia to begin my mission. Many roads would be traveled in the next two years. It is hard to explain the sheer beauty one had to endure, to labor in such magnificent surroundings. The memories etched in ones mind of wonderful people and experiences that stay with one forever.
Two years later, my last day in Vancouver at the bus station I would I observe the Canadian Olympic team as they were departing for the Sapporo, Japan Olympics. Upon arriving home in California I was able to watch some of the Olympic participants I had met just a few days prior. Today I sit before the television and observed the Opening ceremony for the Vancouver Olympics. A lot has happened over these many years, including participating in the Salt Lake Olympics. I found myself wanting to be their again as the caldron was lit and take part of the spirit of the event. Unfortunately we will have to enjoy the view from our comfortable homes.

Flight of the Commanche Flight of the Bird of Paridise

My first trip on and airplane came at the age of 16, after driving across the US my adopted big brother, Ted Lyon, and I flew back from Oklahoma City to Los Angeles. I can remember listening to the stereo headphones playing the theme from the, Magnificent Seven,” as we landed for a short stop in Dallas and remembered the feeling for freedom and power to see so much in such a short time. Later that same year when my family flew north to San Jose to spend Thanksgiving with Aunt Anna I was already a seasoned flyer and always took the window seat to navigate the flight

When I was 18years old, while preparing for my mission, I flew a plane from Searchlight Nevada to Pine Mt. Utah. I worked for a construction company building The Lancaster II, III ward building and when the head electrician on the project (who lived in Salt Lake City, and commuted to and from Lancaster weekly) asked if we anyone would like to fly up with him for General Conference, I jumped at the opportunity. The next morning along with two other priests in my ward quorum (Arlo Blatter, Paul Cheney)we left in his Commanche Piper Cub four seater. An hour later we took a pit stop at Searchlight we continued north. Bro X (don’t remember his name) as the pilot, turned to me and told me he was tired and for me to fly the plane in the direction of the two mountain peaks in the distance while he caught a nap. Having never flown a plane before he gave me a few quick instructions told me it would be OK and nodded off. An hour later he awoke to find that we were directly between the two peaks and he re-established his control of the plane. Simple directions, and I few for over an hour in the small plane. We continued unscathed and enjoyed Conference that weekend. I would have the opportunity many more times that fall to fly with Bro. X and experience flying. I have since taken many an opportunity to find freedom in flying above the world and observing much the normal person can never imagine.

Recently Mom and I along with Jesse and Cammie had the opportunity to travel to Kauai and while there we visited the Kiliuea light house. A small historic facility only 80 foot tall and 31 ½ feet around with a kerosene light refractor on top that could be seen 100 miles out to sea. Historic with re: the Flight of the Bird of paradise which took off from Oakland California 6-28-1927. Charles Lindberg stated this more so that his own historic flight would be the greatest feat for aeronautics flying of the time, further than anyone, including himself, over open water to a select destination. Flying at a correct heading towards Honolulu they managed to miss Honolulu and the Hawaiian Islands by over 90 miles. Running short of fuel the co-pilot noted a flash of light to the south repeating at a regular interval. Turning south and flying 90 miles they discovered the lighthouse at Kiliuea, Kauai, and then turned east across a distance to land back at Honolulu.