by James C. Stephens
August 13, 1978
Visited Russ Dilando with Liz up in Santa Ynez. When we arrived and were readying to do Sancho daimoku. BIG EARTHQUAKE.
Shook the area. Whew, just missed the pass entrance and rock slides. Benefit.
Nice talk with Russ. His father you know was murdered over a month ago by some hoodlums late one night. Russ is staying with his mom. He seems in fairly good spirits, but still seems a bit strange or off. I can’t explain what, but I just don’t feel 100% sure with him like I used to. He seems to be a bit insecure of the future and still dotes on the past a bit about the things he used to do. Not making the causes he needs to make, but maybe I am wrong. He needs to be with his mom at the present, so I just pray for his happiness.
Reflections: While we did take the time to visit Russ, I really didn’t fully grasp at that time how horrific it was for him to lose his father in such a violent crime.
“Joseph Nicholas DiLando, 58, died June 21, 1978, shooting” May he rest in peace. 40 years ago.
I personally had never come to terms with the news of my own best friend Paul’s murder in Spokane while helping defend an elderly woman on the streets. He was a Christian.
Russ from what I gather is growing specialized herbs, red Italian garlic and the like up in Santa Ynez. You might see him at one of the local farmer’s markets. I hope he is doing well. We had some good days together as young radical Buddhists and students at CSUN.
http://articles.latimes.com/1991-06-27/news/vl-1951_1_specialty-produce
http://articles.latimes.com/1991-07-25/news/vl-258_1_harvest-time
Two photos say it all. Russ introduced me to Italian Food. Of course our favorite place~ Two Guys from Italy in Northridge and to the best Calzone in Manhattan when we worked at the New York Convention in 1976.
Journal of a Young Buddhist Radical 