"Seeing The Elephant" by Sid Blumner

Above, XSNGHs Glenn Thornhill (left) and Sid Blumner in 2017. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

XSNGH Humbug Sid Blumner has authored a new book, Seeing The Elephant.

Seeing The Elephant is a history of the Billy Holcomb Chapter of E Clampus Vitus and Blumner's "adventures" in ECV.

Above, the front and back covers.

It is available in paperback at Amazon. I just ordered a copy. As they say at Mad Magazine, $9.95 Cheap!

I first met Sid Blumner in 1984 at the Billy Holcomb Chapter's Hart mining town clampout in the Mojave Desert.

If you are a clamper, you should snag a copy of Blumner's book. It can be ordered here.

SATISFACTORY!

Finally...STEAK!

Above, my first barbecued steak in over a month. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Today turned out to be a bit of a milestone for me.

For the first time since I had the heart attack in Wells, Nevada on July 27, I finally had a barbecued t-bone steak for dinner. Along with the steak, I had baked beans and corn.

Above, while the steak was cooking. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

While waiting for the charcoals to turn white, I indulged myself with a glass of Mirassou Merlot wine. I first discovered Mirassou wines back in April 1974 at the California Republican Party convention in San Jose. Mirassou took part in a wine tasting event at the convention.

According to the Mayo Clinic:

Red wine, in moderation, has long been thought of as heart healthy. The alcohol and certain substances in red wine called antioxidants may help prevent coronary artery disease, the condition that leads to heart attacks.

Above, a toast to XSNGH Glenn Thornhill's birthday. 

I very much enjoyed having a barbecued steak. I've almost been eating like a rabbit since July 27, mainly eating fruits, vegetables, chicken and fish (primarily salmon). I will continue with my new diet and have an occasional steak (or beef prepared in any way) as a treat to myself. Maybe once or twice a month.

"A man's got to know his limitations!" - Dirty Harry in Magnum Force.

Happy Birthday, XSNGH Glenn Thornhill!

Above, yours truly and Glenn Thornhill at the Hart monument in 1984.

Happy Birthday to XSNGH, XNGH Glenn "Cowpie" Thornhill!

Above, Armand and Glenn with Steve Born at Tapo Canyon in 1988.

One may wonder how he became to be known (at least around here) as "Cowpie".

Here's the story: 

Back in the 1980s (I think it was either 1985 or 1986), we had a clamp-out at Vail Ranch with Platrix No. 2, ECV. One morning, I started up a campfire. Nearby, were piles of cowpies (cow dung, for those of you who are city slickers). It was hard to avoid them as they were all over. This is only natural as we were camped in a cow pasture on a ranch.

Above, at Vail Ranch.

I was sitting by the fire and Glenn came up and said something like, "Jeez, you had to make a campfire right next to a cowpie!" And he proceeded to kick it away. Although it looked dry on the surface. It wasn't. When he kicked it, it got all over his shoe. That was funny! It was even funnier seeing him jumping around trying to get it off his shoe (those were the days when we were still young enough to even jump around).

So that's how he became to be known as Glenn "Cowpie" Thornhill.

Above, Glenn addresses the Memorial Day celebration at Pioneer Cemetery in Sylmar in 2016. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

I once drew a cartoon of this little episode. It is somewhere around here. I was hoping to find it to scan it and post it here. But no such luck.

Anyway, this is his day. So...

Happy Birthday, Glenn!

Old ECV Shenanigans

Above, an anvil being sent airborne during a clamp-out in
1988. The practice has been banned. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Today, I scanned a few pictures from past Clamper activities from 1988.

Here's couple more:

Above, Platrix Chapter No. 2 in the 1988 Pasadena Doo Dah Parade. Glenn Thornhill and I are at right.

Above, yours truly, Glenn Thornhill and Steve Born at Tapo Canyon in 1988.

Stroll Down Memory Lane

This morning, I was scanning some old photos for yucks on Facebook, so I thought I would share them here as well.

Above, yours truly and Glenn Thornhill at the plaque dedication of Hart mining town in the Mojave Desert
 with the Billy Holcomb Chapter, ECV in October 1984. This was one of the first clamp-outs we attended.

Above, Robert McArthur, Glenn Thornhill and Arleigh Kerr at Kerr's wedding, February 1985. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, the Purple Gang of the California Republic at Arleigh Kerr's wedding, February 1985.

ECV Membership Certificate

Back in January 1984, while up in Sacramento for a wedding, I was initiated into the Ancient and Honorable Order of E Clampus Vitus along with (currently XSNGH) Glenn Thornhill through New Helvetia Chapter No. 5. I was at the "ripe old age" of 29 at the time.

During my recent move from California to New Mexico, I "unearthed" my original certificate of membership into the Order. It sustained some discoloration (in the shape of a missing chunk of glass) after the original frame's glass broke and I set it aside to prevent any further damage (such as tearing).

I have since re-framed it and it is proudly mounted on a wall at my new abode with an illustration of John Wayne nearby to keep an eye on it (as he's wearing his Rooster Cogburn eyepatch, he can only watch it with one eye):

There is no longer a New Helvetia Chapter No. 5 in E Clampus Vitus. It was de-chartered around 2014 by the ECV Grand Council due to some major infractions. The Sacramento area is now represented by the John A. Sutter Chapter #1841.

What A Day

Above, smoke from the Creek Fire as seen from Chatsworth.

Tarzana may be about 20 miles from Sylmar, but the Creek Fire in Sylmar had affected the entire San Fernando Valley today with smoke, ash and soot.

We had to run to the market and PetSmart today and that was a mistake.

I came down with a headcold the other day and when we went outside, the headcold mixed with the smoky and windy air made it very difficult for me to breathe. This gave me a very good idea about how people with emphysema suffer each day. I was virtually gasping for air. I came close to having to go to an emergency room, it was that bad.

After getting back home, I stayed indoors for the rest of the day.

According to the latest Facebook posting by XSNGH Glenn Thornhill, his house seemed to have survived the Creek Fire, while others in his neighborhood lost theirs.

Sylmar - Creek Fire: Thornhills Are Safe

Above, a view of Creek Fire from the Thornhill's street. 

There's nothing like waking up to find that your home is surrounded by burning hillsides.

Such was the experience this morning for XSNGH Glenn and Lori Thornhill. Their mobile home park neighborhood had to be evacuated due to the approaching Creek Fire in Sylmar. They live in a canyon above Sylmar up Maclay Street.

They are safe and sound at Lori's parents' home.

According to the LAFD, mandatory evacuations were called for in:

-- Kagel Canyon

-- Trailer park in Lopez Canyon

-- Arroyo Street north of the 210 Freeway

-- Mobile home park at top of Maclay Street

-- Pacoima Wash west of Sayre Street

-- Eldridge and Hubbard streets

Voluntary evacuations were called for:

-- East of Veterans Park to Pacoima Canyon, between Sayre and Polk streets

-- North of the 210 Freeway, between Polk and Bledsoe streets.

-- Between Bledsoe and Roxford streets.

-- Between Roxford Street and Glenoaks Boulevard.

-- Between Glenoaks and Filbert street.

-- Filbert to the interchange of the 5 and 14 freeways

Evacuation centers have been set up at the Sylmar Recreation Center, 13109 Borden Ave., and Sunland Senior Center, 8640 Fenwick St.

To read more, go here.

Oktoberfest Along The Kern River

Preparations are being made to get ready for this coming weekend's clampout north of beautiful Bakersfield for their 2017 Oktoberfest (yes, I know this is still September) with the Peter Lebeck Chapter #1866 of the Ancient and Honorable Order of E Clampus Vitus. It has been a while since I last attended a Lebeck clampout.

Glenn Thornhill, XSNGH and I will be heading up to join the guys along the Kern River at Camp Okini. Glenn tells me that this is a beautiful location for clampin'.

Yesterday, I bought my usual supply of soft drinks and, most importantly, beer.

Tomorrow, I will be taking The Beast to get the propane tank filled up. I used quite a bit during the Great American Eclipse trip of last month.

Two weeks following the Peter Lebeck clampout, we will be heading (again) up to the Tehachapi Loop area for Platrix's Fall clampout.

Satisfactory!

Platrix Clamp-Sites Announced

Above, The Beast at last year's Tehachapi Loop clamp-out. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

While paying my annual dues to Platrix Chapter No. 2, E Clampus Vitus, I noticed that the chapter finally posted where this year's clamp-outs will be held.

They are:

April 28-30 at The Loop Ranch in Tehachapi 

Oct. 6-8 (hopefully) at Lake Hemet

We were in Tehachapi last April for the Spring, 2016 clamp-trek. It is a nice area, so I am looking forward to returning. Lake Hemet ought to be nice in October.

I will probably hold a seminar for XSNGH Glenn "Cowpie Kicker" Thornhill on the differences between a RV's house door and a screen door handles. Other Platrix members and PBCs who are in similar need of such knowledge are welcome to attend. Remember what Emil Faber once said: "Knowledge is good!"

More Photos From Billy Holcomb's 2007 Amboy Clamp-out

Above, Roy's Motel in 2007.  Photo by Armand Vaquer

Back in October 2007, I attended a "Clamp-out" with the Billy Holcomb Chapter of E Clampus Vitus in the ghost town of Amboy. It was attended by 500-600 members.

The Billy Holcomb Chapter is the Clamper chapter for Riverside and San Bernardino Counties. Their camping events tend to be out in the Mojave Desert, which makes them the "desert rats" of Clamperdom.

Here's a few more photos from that weekend:

Above, Glenn Thornhill, Abe Hoffman and Armand at Roy's Motel.

Above, the Clamper plaque at Roy's Motel.  Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, the Amboy Chapel.  Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, lunch is being grilled at the Holcomb encampment.  Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, Glenn Thornhill at Roy's Motel.  Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, XSNGH Sid Blumner (left) at dawn.  Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, XNGH Abe Hoffman chasing his hat.  Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, the Billy Holcomb Chapter kitchen.  Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Steve Born, Dedicated Clamper

Above, Steve Born addresses the gathering of Clampers at the Six-Way Clampout plaque dedication in 2006.

Clamperdom lost a tireless and dedicated Clamper with the passing of Steve Born yesterday.

Right, Steve chats with the late Jerry Zorthian at a Platrix clampout in the Mojave Desert.

For several years, Steve ran the Platrix Chapter's store with Glenn Thornhill. He also participated in many initiations of PBCs (Poor Blind Candidates) into the Ancient and Honorable Order of E Clampus Vitus. He also attended the annual E Clampus Vitus greybeards gatherings (usually in Murphys, California) in the heart of the Mother Lode.

Above, Steve (second from left) participating in a Platrix initiation ritual in 2001.

He joined and soon became the Noble Grand Humbug of the Peter Lebeck Chapter.

His biggest project was planning the gigantic Six-Way Clampout that was attended by over 1,200 Clampers.

From the Peter Lebeck website:

The Randsburg-Mojave Road Six-Way didn't just magically spring up in the desert like some kind of mirage. It took four years of serious planning by representatives from each of the six Southern Alliance Chapters that had committed to the Doin's in 2002: Peter Lebeck, of Kern County; Billy Holcomb, of San Bernardino and Riverside Counties; Queho Posse of Southern Nevada; Platrix, of Los Angeles, Ventura and Orange Counties; Lost Dutchman, of the combined territories of Arizona and New Mexico; and John P. Squibob, of San Diego, Imperial Counties and Baja California.

For more details on the Six-Way Clamptrek from Fall, 2006, go here.

He will be missed.

Sublime Noble Grand Humbug's Birthday

Glenn H. Thornhill, The Sublime Noble Grand Humbug (2010 - 2011) of the Ancient and Honorable Order of E Clampus Vitus, will be celebrating his birthday tomorrow.

So, in honor of his sublimeness (is that a word?), I am enjoying a Brandy Alexander at this moment (couldn't wait for tomorrow, and I'll probably have more tomorrow anyway).

So, brother Clampers, raise your glasses in honor of SNGH Glenn Thornhill's birthday!

Satisfactory!

California GOP Primary and Propositions Recommendations - Part 2

Here, as promised is the California GOP Primary and Propositions Recommendations - Part 2. Some are repeats of previous recommendations.

Statewide

Governor: Meg Whitman. Not my idea of a great conservative but far better than Poizner who is worse than she is. A part of my rationale is that her money could possibly help other GOP candidates on the ballot that are in close races by bringing out more Republicans and like-minded independents to vote.

Lt. Governor: St. Senator Sam Aanestad. He has been endorsed by major conservative groups. Need another reason? The current Lt. Governor, Able Maldonado is a lying liberal wienie.

Secretary of State: Damon Dunn. The other guy is a lunatic birther! Not just a lunatic birther but a big-time lunatic birther!!!

Controller: Tony Strickland. A conservative, who knows how to campaign. Best shot at wining in November. A hack politician, but a good guy and we have to get over our fears of hack politicians if they are good guys!

Treasurer: Mimi Walters. Currently a Republican state senator, and more importantly, the only GOP candidate running for Treasurer.

Insurance Commissioner: Brian Fitzgerald. Best reason? He's not Mike Villines, a well-known wienie.

United States Senator: Carly Fiorina. Not nearly as conservative (especially on social issues) as Chuck Devore, but Chuck Devore will go down the tubes big time in November if he is the GOP nominee. Just a fact. Tom Campbell is a liberal! His campaign using Ronald Reagan's name and image is disgusting to me. Another reason for Carly Fiorina is she can and will finance her own campaign with what it takes to run a great campaign. And like Whitman, the money she spends to draw out voters could help other GOP candidates.

Board of Equalization, District 4: No GOP candidate filed to run. No recommendation.

Superintendent of Public Instruction: You are on your own here. I'll probably vote for Karen Blake because she says she will end bi-lingual education. That's a good start. But I haven't had time to research the candidates for this office and have found no endorsements for anyone yet.

STATEWIDE MEASURES

Prop. 13. Seismic Retrofits. YES: Earthquake proofing your house shouldn't trigger a tax increase until you're ready to sell. Any questions?

Prop. 14. Distorted Primary. NO: (Note: Beware of the deceptive language in the title of this Proposition) Instead of voters of each party putting their best candidate forward, this jerry-rigged system is designed to disguise the difference between the parties and force those pesky third parties off the general election ballot entirely. It could result in run-off elections between two Democrats rather than a Republican, a Democrat and other third parties. Political parties should have the right to choose who their candidate is. This is a bad proposition for the possibility of electing Republican (or third party) candidates in the future.

Prop. 15. Taxpayer Funded Elections. NO: The real purpose of this measure is to allow the legislature to tap taxpayers to finance political campaigns. Jefferson said it best: "To compel a man to subsidize with his taxes the propagation of ideas which he disbelieves and abhors is sinful and tyrannical."

Prop. 16. Utility Elections. YES: Cash-guzzling city governments have been taking over the territory of utilities through eminent domain and PG&E wants to put it to a vote. This measure gives you the choice upon whose mercy your future electricity bills will depend: the monopoly of city hall or the monopoly of your utility. Here's a better idea: restore the freedom of individual consumers to choose among competing providers who actually have to earn their business. Alas, that part was left out by the suits at PG&E.

Prop. 17. Insurance Rates. YES: A simple question: should drivers be able to take their "continuous coverage" discount with them when they change insurance companies? A simpler question: why are our laws such a micro managing mess that we have to vote on something as self-evident as this in the first place?

LOCAL MEASURES

Prop. E. LAUSD Parcel Tax. NO: The LAUSD is proposing a parcel tax of $100.00 per household for additional school funding. LAUSD has been unable to manage its funds efficiently, has made no efforts to significantly decrease its wasteful spending. We believe that no parcel tax should be imposed on already over-burdened homeowners. Let LAUSD do the work of reducing spending before it asks homeowners to bail it out.

Judicial Recommendations (from the California Republican Party)

The following are our recommendations for Los Angeles County Superior Court Judges. This is based, for the most part, on the recommendations of Craig Huey on his site, Judge Voter Guide.

Judge-Superior Court; County of Los Angeles; Office 28
Kim Smith

Judge-Superior Court; County of Los Angeles; Office 35
Soussan G. Bruguera

Judge-Superior Court; County of Los Angeles; Office 73
Laura A. Matz

Judge-Superior Court; County of Los Angeles; Office 107
Tony De Los Reyes

Judge-Superior Court; County of Los Angeles; Office 117
Pattricia M. Vienna

Judge-Superior Court; County of Los Angeles; Office 131
Maren Elizabeth Nelson

Thanks to Glenn H. Thornhill, B.A., ECV, noted political analyst, for his assistance in compiling these recommendations. For the races not mentioned, go to Part 1.

Made It!

Well, I made it through today, which would've been my mom's 77th birthday. I wished her a Happy Birthday anyway. I know of a lot of other people who did as well.

I basically spent it working on a art project for Glenn Thornhill and the Platrix Chapter of the Ancient and Honorable Order of E Clampus Vitus. One thing I noticed, I am way out-of-practice (I used to be an art major and drew all the time). I do doodle, but I haven't done anything for a long time that required a bit more precision, until now.

I guess that was a good way to honor my mom's memory. She was artistically inclined as was my grandfather. I guess I inherited that from them.

One bad note: I had to replace my coffee-maker. The clock on the old one works, but it would not heat up and brew any coffee. So, I had to get a new one.

If that was the worst thing to happen today, I guess I made out pretty good!

Two Clamper Bachelors Out Of Circulation This Decade

As the first decade of the 21st Century comes to an end, the thought occurred to me that the decade brought two surprises.

Two of my friends, both fellow Clampers, married during the decade. Most of us thought that they'd both end up being bachelors for life (some even speculated that they were gay), but they apparently had other plans in mind.

First, it was Glenn "Cowpie" Thornhill. He finally got married to Lori back in November 2003. They now have a daughter, Grace.

Above, the Thornhills at the Adams Pack Station in Chantry Flat.

Then, just this last month, Steve "The Bear" Born also got hitched. He married his longtime sweetheart Joanne in a ceremony (below) on Catalina Island on a hilltop overlooking Avalon Harbor.



As far as I can tell, the remaining member of the "inner circle" that hasn't gotten hitched yet is Mark Rosenthal, another Clamper. The problem with Mark was that he used to find his women at the Jewish center, which we dubbed "The Jewish Center For Afraid Women" as they always seemed afraid to make any kind of commitments.

Nothing like waiting until your 50s to finally get hitched!