Mountain Views News, Combined Edition Saturday, December 26, 2020

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Mountain Views-News Saturday, December 26, 2020 

WALKING SIERRA MADRE - The Social Side 

by Deanne Davis


“One of the most glorious messes in the world is the mess created in the living room on Christmas 
Day. Don’t clean it up too quickly.” Andy Rooney

“What is Christmas? It is the tenderness of the past, courage for the present, 

and hope for the future.” Agnes M. Pahro

“Love came down at Christmas; love all lovely, love divine.

Love was born at Christmas, stars and angels gave the sign.” Christina Rosetti

Speaking of stars, and moving right along to planets, the Great Conjunction of Jupiter and Saturn 
has been one of our focal points this past week, taking us all outside somewhere around 5:30 every 
day to see how much closer to each other they’ve gotten. As this won’t happen again for another 
400 years, we couldn’t very well say, “I’ll catch it next time,” and continue sitting on the couch 
eating Christmas cookies. 

Dr. Chuck Seitz, my personal astrologer, sent me a fabulous picture which I’m including here. 
Here’s what he said, “A good view of the conjunction by an amateur with a good telescope.” I was 
dazzled. I can even see the rings ‘round Saturn in this picture. As I can only rely on my own fading 
vision, I just saw sort of a large star, which is what most people saw, making them relate this star to 
the Star of Bethlehem, the one wisemen and shepherds followed to that little manger in the stable, 
warmed only by cows, sheep and the love of Mary and Joseph; illuminated by a sky full of angels 
singing, “Glory to God in the Highest and on earth peace to people of good will.” 

This glorious star is a most welcome high point in a year which has been less than stellar…get it, 
stars…stellar. What with Covid, closures, toilet paper shortages, no parties or family gatherings, 
this event gave us something new to think about. Which we needed.

O, Star of wonder, star of night 
Star of royal beauty bright
Westward leading, still proceeding,
Guide us to thy perfect light.

Christmas is behind us. We can sit down, take a breath and give ourselves a minute to recuperate 
before we start planning for the New Year. 2020 passed with what felt like glacial speed and, 
mercifully, 2021 is just around the corner. I’m planning on leaving Christmas up just a little longer; 
let my head-turning lighted reindeer and star shower stay out in front just a little longer, and not 
be too quick to de-Christmas-ify. 

Again this year I wanted to pass along this beautiful piece I keep hidden away at the bottom of the 
Christmas card basket, “Directions For Planting,” taken from the writings of Margaret Hooper 
Ineson, a precious saint of God and beloved member of our family. Born on November 22, 1904, 
she entered the gates of heaven on November 11, 2000...just a few days short of her 96th birthday. 
She lived her life according to her “Directions For Planting” and I thought this was a perfect way 
to end a year, which has had its ups and downs for all of us, and look forward to a New Year bright 
with promise and hope.

Directions For Planting

 1.Plant 5 Rows of Peas

 Preparedness

 Promptness

 Perseverance 

 Politeness

 Prayer

 2.Plant 3 Rows of Squash

 Squash Gossip

 Squash Criticism

 Squash Indifference

 3.Plant 4 Rows of Lettuce

 Let Us Be Faithful

 Let Us Be Unselfish

 Let Us Be Truthful

 Let Us Love One Another

 

 4.Plant 4 Rows of Turnips

 Turn Up For Where We’re Needed

 Turn Up With A Smile

 Turn Up With New Ideas

 Turn Up With Determination

With just a little care and attention, what a wonderful harvest we shall reap from this Garden of 
love and caring.

As you look at the rest of the Christmas ham, wondering what you were thinking to buy such a big 
one, and ponder visions of scalloped potatoes with ham, ham and cheese quiche, six or eight more 
ham sandwiches on really good rye bread with a dill pickle, think back on all the wonderful phone 
calls, text messages, zoom meetings and cards that celebrated Jesus’ birth you received; then sing 
another carol or two just because you can.

Joy to the world, the Lord has come. Let earth receive her King!

 May God bless you and keep you and make his face to shine upon you

And give you peace...and joy!

My book page: Amazon.com: Deanne Davis

Christmas is just a few days past and my book:

“Sunrises and Sunflowers Speak Hope” 

Would be a really nice gift for anyone you’ve suddenly remembered.

You can find it on Amazon.com and they’ll even send it for you!

“Star of Wonder” a delightful Christmas Kindle story is there, too.

If you’d like a little preview, take a look at: https://youtu.be/Ka1KYrONrd0


CHRISTMAS TREES ARE 100% RECYCLABLE! 

Athens Services will collect Christmas trees at the curb from 12/26/2020 to 1/8/2021 this on 
your normal pickup day. Trees are delivered to various land-fills to be used as mulch or cover 
material, or to Athens’ American Organics compost facility in Victorville. 

Tips to ensure your tree is properly collected:

Remove stands, ornaments, lights and tinsel. 

Place holiday trees next to your regular trash containers. 

Trees over 6 feet in length must be cut in half. 

Trees with flocking or fire retardants ARE acceptable.

If you miss the date for recycling, please cut up your tree and place it in your yard waste 
container(s).

Please help keep our parks clean and safe during the holidays. If you see anyone illegally 
dump-ing holiday trees, please call your city’s Police Department.


InSIDE MOUNTAIN VIEWS NEWS THIS 
WEEK

COVID 19 UPDATES..................................PAGE 7

SIERRA MADRE NEWS..............................Pgs 3, 4

PASADENA NEWS............................,.......Page 5

ARCADIA/MONROVIA & MORE.............Page 6

AROUND SAN GABRIEL VALLEY..............Page 7

EDUCATION & YOUTH..............................Page 9

BEST FRIENDS............................................Page 10

THE GOOD LIFE........................................Page 11

OPINION........................................,,,.......Page 12

LEGAL NOTICES.............................,,,.......Page 14


Mountain Views News 80 W Sierra Madre Blvd. No. 327 Sierra Madre, Ca. 91024 Office: 626.355.2737 Fax: 626.609.3285 Email: editor@mtnviewsnews.com Website: www.mtnviewsnews.com