Mountain Views News, Combined Edition Saturday, October 30, 2021

OUT TO PASTOR 

A Weekly Religion Column by Rev. James Snyder 

I CAN NEVER HAVE TOO MUCH ICE CREAM! 


It was one of those hectic weeks 
that flew by, and I didn’t know it 
until the end of the week. 

Friday night at supper time, it was one of those 
sneaky crashes. But, unfortunately, all the energy 
during the week had been pushing both of us forward, 
and we had no options but to keep plowing 
ahead. 

I don’t know about other people, but I don’t know 
I’m being pushed until the push is over. And Friday 
is the time for that push accounting. 

It was a quiet dinner because both of us had pushed 
the limits of exhaustion. Then, during the week, 
something happened and put us behind just when 
we thought we had caught up. 

Getting behind sometimes is not a choice and has 
a way of sneaking up on you and catching you off 
guard. 

I had come to the point where I had enough. Enough 
is enough; let’s get on with life. 

You can’t get enough of some things in life, and then 
there are other things that you can have too much. If 
only we could choose one at our discretion. 

That evening supper was quite good, and I had, like 
always, stuffed myself. I don’t blame my over-eating 
on myself, rather on the Gracious Mistress of the 
Parsonage. If she were not such an excellent cook, I 
wouldn’t eat so much. All the blame rests upon her. 

She insinuates that I should be a little more disciplined 
in my eating habits. Ha, disciplined in my 
eating habits? Whoever heard of such a crazy thing. 
I don’t tell her that it’s crazy because she might assume 
I think she is crazy. I do, but I don’t want her 
to know about it. 

The marvelous supper was behind us, and we had 
just settled down to watch something on television. 
I like watching those mysteries, but I have a difficult 
time watching them with my wife. She knows the 
outcome before the first scene has completed itself. 

Where in the world is the mystery to that? 

About halfway into the mystery movie, there was 
a commercial time, and my wife got up and said, 
“Would you have any room for ice cream?” 

Would I have any room for ice cream? I can never 
have too much ice cream, and I am never too full for 
one more bowl of ice cream. 

A lot of things I have too much of, but it certainly is 
not ice cream. 

Someone once asked what my favorite ice cream 
was, and I replied, “My favorite ice cream is the one 
I’m eating at the time.” I have never yet had a bowl 
of ice cream that I didn’t like. 

So, when my wife asked me if I would like some ice 
cream, I didn’t even say, “What kind of ice 

cream do you have?” I don’t have to say something 
like that. What I do say is, “I’ll have as much ice 

cream as you can stuff into that bowl.” 

We always have a good supply of ice cream in the 
freezer. My wife is always looking for the Buy One 
Get One deal, so we usually are well stocked with 
ice cream. 

Not long ago, it was such a long weary day, and I was 
thinking about the ice cream I would reward myself 
with at the end of the day. Nothing calms me down 
better than a nice bowl of ice cream. 

Supper was over; I settled down into my easy chair 
and then asked, “Honey, I really could use some ice 
cream tonight. It’s been such a long weary day.” 

I didn’t hear anything from her, so I said, “Can I 
have some ice cream?” 

Then I heard from the Gracious Mistress of the 
Parsonage. 

“I’m sorry, my dear,” she said as disparagingly as 
possible, “we’ve run out of ice cream.” 

Those words are the worst words ever uttered in our 
parsonage. To be out of ice cream is the most stressful 
time of the week. How is it possible to run out of 
ice cream? 

She explained by telling me that Publix did not have 
their usual Buy One Get One sale this week. So she 
was waiting for the sale to go on. 

I sat there thinking how in the world can I survive 
any day without ending it with a bowl of ice cream? 

There’s a lot of things in this world that I can do 
without. Number one on that list is broccoli. I don’t 
even like the sight of that so-called vegetable. I 
don’t even think it’s a real vegetable, contrary to the 
thoughts of my wife. 

I have a long list of what I can do without, and nowhere 
on that list is ice cream. 

How I would get through the night without my ice 
cream is a mystery that only the Gracious Mistress 
of the Parsonage can solve. 

They only know what you like and what’s important 
to you when it’s not available. Then you begin to appreciate 
the value of that item.
I thought of the Bible verse in the Old Testament 
that sort of focus is on this idea. “Yea, they are 
greedy dogs which can never have enough, and they 
are shepherds that cannot understand: they all look 
to their own way, every one for his gain, from his 
quarter” (Isaiah 56:11). 

Whenever greed takes over, we never can have 
enough. Then we become a slave to our greed. 

Dr. James L. Snyder is pastor of the Family of God 
Fellowship, Ocala, FL 34472, where he lives with his 
wife. 

Call him at 352-216-3025 or e-mail jamessnyder51@
gmail.com. The church web site is www.whatafellowship.
com. 

SENIOR HAPPENINGS 


HAPPY BIRTHDAY! …October Birthdays*
Janda Ferris, Darlene Traxler, Margit Johnson, Sole Krieg, Dick Anderson, 
Eva Poet, Mary Jane Baker, Dixie Coutant, Jill Franks, Cathleen 
Cremins, Adie Marshall, Darlene Crook, Susan Gallagher, Maggie 
Ellis, Gloria Giersbach, Elva Johnson, Ellen O’Leary, Jenny 
Piangenti, Gail Ann Skiles, Anita Thompson, Linda Boehm and Angela Stella 

* To add your name to this distinguished list, please call the paper at 
626.355.2737. YEAR of birth not required 
SENIOR ACTIVITIES IN SIERRA MADRE 

THE HART PARK HOUSE SENIOR CENTER IS OPEN!!!! 

IN HOUSE LUNCH DINING SERVICE WILL NOT RESUME AT THIS TIME. 

ACCESS TO THE COMPUTER/CLASSROOM IS TEMPORARILY UNAVAILABLE. 
All Classes and programs will maintain a distance of 6 ft between participants. All equipment 
used will be sanitized after each use before it is stored. Each participant is responsible 
for provid-ing their own water, masks and additionally needed supplies for each class. 
Please call the Community Services Department at 355-7394 with any questions or 
concerns. 

SENIOR CINEMA – 2ND AND 4TH WEDNESDAY OF THE MONTH 


FRANKENSTEIN (1931) – Wednesday, 10/13 at 2:00 pm 
In James Whale's timeless adaptation of Mary Shelley's 
masterpiece novel, Boris Karloff stars as the screen's most 
tragic and memorable horror giant, when Dr. Frankenstein 
dares to tamper with life and death by piecing together salvaged 
body parts to create a human monster.
SOMETHING WICKED THIS WAY COMES – Wednesday, 
10/27 at 2:00 pm Can two young boys overcome 
the worst the devil himself can deal out? Wishes are 
granted, but twisted as only the esteemed Mr. Dark can 


make them. Based on the Ray Bradbury novel.
CHAIR YOGA – Monday and Wednesday each week, 10-10:45 amPlease join us for some gentle stretching, yoga, balance exercise and overall relaxation with 
Paul. Classes are ongoing and held in the Memorial Park Covered Pavilion. 
TEA AND TALK, SENIOR BOOK CLUB 2nd and 4th Wednesday, 9:00 amStaff has launched a new book club series, Tea and Talk, which meets twice a month to 
discuss the fun, suspense, intrigue, love and so much more that each selection will have 
in store! 
FIBER FRIENDS – Tuesday, 10/12 & 10/26 AT 10:00 AMIf you enjoy knitting, crocheting, embroidery, needlepoint, bunka, huck, tatting or cross 
stitch then we have a group for you! Bring your current project, sit and chat with like-
minded fiber friends. We meet in the Hart Park House. 
HULA AND POLYNESIAN DANCE – Friday, 10-10:45 amBring a lei, your flower skirt or just your desire to dance! Hula in the Park is back and waiting 
for you to join in on all the fun! Memorial Park Pavilion. 
TEA AT THREE WITH CHIEF BARTLETT AND THE SMFD Friday, October 8th, 
3:00-5:00 pm Stop by for some bingo, tea and conversations with Sierra Madre Fire Chief 
Bartlett and crew. Reserve your spot with Lawren. 
DOMINOES TRAIN GAME AT 11:00 AM ON 10/6The object of the game is for a player to play all the tiles from their hand onto one or more 
trains, emanating from a central hub or “station”. Call Lawren with questions that you 
may have.
BINGO - Tuesday, 10/12, 1:00 pm Hart Park House 
Hart Park House Senior Bingo is back by popular demand! Come on down to enjoy this 
time hon-ored game with some old and new friends. We are trying a new spin on your 
BINGO fun so please bring your good luck charms and BINGO markers! 
SKELETON WREATH – Tuesday, 10/19, 10:00 amWhat would Halloween be without a skeleton or a wreath? I invite you to join me in combining 
the two for a whimsical and fun door greeting. Space is limited to six participants 
so please call Lawren to reserve your spot.
METRO MICRO— TRANSPORTATION INFORMATION 
Micro is Metro’s new on-demand rideshare service, offering trips within several zones in 
LA County. The new service is for short local trips and uses small vehicles (seating up to 
10 passengers). Micro is part of Metro’s family of services and has been designed hand-inhand 
with Metro’s NextGen Bus Plan. The service is meant to be a fast, safe and convenient 
option for quick trips around town, Mon-day-Sunday, 5:30 am-9:30 pm. At this time, a 
promotional fare of $1 will run six months from the date of service launch. The $1 will not 
include a transfer to Metro bus and rail. Customers can pay us-ing their TAP Card/account 
(stored value only) or with a credit card (no cash). Metro staff will return to the Board at 
the end of the six-moth introductory period to consider potential fare adjustments. 
Service hours of operation are: Monday—Sunday between 5:30 am-9:30 pm. 
Download the Metro Micro App: visit: book.metro-micro.netor 
Call 323-GO-METRO (323) 446-3876 

TIPS AND TOOLS FOR FAMILY CAREGIVERS 

Dear Savvy Senior:
Can you recommend any resources that offer 
help to family caregivers? I’ve been taking care 
of my 86-year-old mother and could use some 
help. Burned-Out Brenda 

Dear Brenda: 
Caring for an aging parent or other loved one 
over a period of time can be very challenging both physically and mentally. Fortunately, 
there are a number of tips and services you can turn to that can help lighten the load. Here 
are several to consider. 


Assemble a care team: A good first step is to put together a network of people including 
family, friends and even neighbors that you can call on to help out when you can’t be there 
or need a break. 

Tap local services: Many communities offer a range of free or subsidized services that help 
seniors and caregivers by providing things like home delivered meals, transportation, senior 
companion services and more. Call 211 to find out what’s available in your community, or 
call AARP’s caregiving resource center (877-333-5885), which provides referrals to local 
resources. 

Use respite: Respite services can provide short-term care to your mom so you can take some 
time off. To locate services in your area, try the ARCH National Respite Network and Resource 
Center at ARCHrespite.org. 

Hire in-home help: You may want to consider hiring a part-time home-care aide that can 
help with things like preparing meals, housekeeping or personal care. Costs can run anywhere 
from $12 to $30 an hour depending on where you live and the qualification of the 
aide. To find help through an agency, use Medicare’s search tool Medicare.gov/care-compare. 
Or to find someone on your own, which is a more affordable way to go, try websites 
like Care.com or CareLinx.com. 

Use financial tools: If you’re handling your mom’s finances, you can make things easier by arranging 
direct deposit for her income sources and set up automatic payments for her utilities 
and other routine bills. Also, consider setting up your mom’s online banking service at her 
bank so you can pay her other bills and monitor her account anytime. If you want or need 
help, there are professional daily money managers (see AADMM.com to locate someone) 
that can do it for you. They charge between $60 and $150 per hour. 

Also, if your mom is lower-income use BenefitsCheckup.org, a free, confidential website 
that will help you locate financial assistance programs that can help pay for her medications, 
utilities, health care, and other needs. 

Get insurance help: If you have questions about what Medicare or Medicaid covers, or about 
long-term care, your State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) provides free counseling 
on all these issues. Call 877-839-2675 or visit ShiptaCenter.org to locate a nearby 
counselor. 

You can also get help at Medicare.gov or by calling 800-633-4227, and through the Medicare 
Rights Center, which staffs a helpline at 800-333-4114. 

Tap other resources: There are a number of other organizations you can draw on for additional 
information like the Family Care Alliance (Caregiver.org/family-care-navigator), 
which provides a state-by-state listing of caregiving programs and services; Caring.com, 
which offers caregiving advice, senior housing information and online support groups; the 
Alzheimer’s Association (ALZ.org/care), which provides information unique to the challenges 
of dementia caregivers; and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (www.caregiver.
va.gov), which offers caregiver support services to veterans and even spouses of veterans. 

And, if you happen to be sharing care responsibilities with others, sites like LotsaHelpingHands.
com and CaringBridge.org can help you coordinate together. 

Take care of yourself: Make your own health a priority. Being a caregiver is a big job that can 
cause emotional and physical stress and lead to illness and depression. The only way you can 
provide the care your mother needs is to make sure you stay healthy. 

Send your senior questions to: Savvy Senior, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070, or visit SavvySenior.org. 
Jim Miller is a contributor to the NBC Today show and author of “The Savvy Senior” book. 

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