Mountain Views News, Combined Edition Saturday, November 13, 2021

Mountain Views-News Saturday, November 6, 2021 


OUT TO PASTOR 

A Weekly Religion Column by Rev. James Snyder 

I WAS JUST THINKING, OR WAS I THINKING? 

Thinking has not really been my strong suit. Not that I don’t do some kind of thinking, 
but my thinking never gets me ahead of anything or anyone. In fact, I’m not sure if I really 
do think. I wouldn’t know what to do with thinking. 

When it comes to thinking, the Gracious Mistress of the Parsonage is way ahead of me. She’s always thinking 
about 17 days ahead of me. And I must confess that her thinking many times gets me into trouble. How that 
works, I have no idea. That’s something that I have to really think through some day. 

As a child I remember, my mother and father were once having a little bit of a spat. When I was alone with 
my father, he said, “Son, remember, thinking will always get you into trouble.” 

I don’t know what kind of trouble he was in, but he seemed at the moment to really mean what he was saying. 
So I jotted that down in my little “Things to Remember Notebook.” Although, come to think of it, I’m not sure 
where that notebook is today. I’ll have to think about that. 

Many people give a lot of credit to what they’re thinking. I suppose there is a place for real serious critical 
thinking, but it has never arisen in any of my situations that I can think of right now. 

I used to, but no longer think it’s the right thing, ask my wife what she was thinking after a situation. How 
did I know she would tell me exactly what she was thinking? How anyone can think so much about one thing 
is beyond my imagination. 

On several occasions, the Gracious Mistress of the Parsonage has come into the living room where I was 
seated, saw me grinning, and asked, “What are you thinking about?” 
I had to think a little bit about that because I did not realize I was thinking. So I responded by saying, “Oh, I 
was just thinking about a joke.” And then I laughed, hoping to diverge her attention away from me. 
“Were you? And what was that joke?” Then she gave me her infamous stare. 
That is where I had to step on the thinking gas pedal and say, “Why was 6 afraid of 7?” Then I tossed her a 
quick smile. 
“And why was 6 afraid of 7?” She asked with a smirk. 
Thinking a little bit, I responded by saying, “Because 7, 8, 9.” 
With both hands on her hips, she stared at me for a moment and said very sarcastically, “Can’t you think of 
another joke?” 
I did not know “thinking” and “jokes” were connected. 
One day this past week, we had to go across town for an errand. As we were traveling, I said, “You know, I 
was thinking….” 
As soon as I said that, she started laughing almost hysterically. I looked at her and said, “What are you laughing 
about?” 
“You were thinking? When did you start thinking?” Then she laughed some more. 
If only I could have thought up a response to that jab, I would’ve been happy, but my cognitive activity was 
on pause. 
Recently my wife and I were in conversation, and she was asking about some projects that she had in mind to 
do. Believe me; she’s always working on some crafty project. I can’t keep up with all of her projects. 
Then she looked at me and said, “What project do you think I should do?” 
For her to ask me to think was something out of my thinking zone. When it comes to craft projects, I just am 
beyond imagination. I couldn’t work on a project like that if my life depended on it. 
I had to stop for a moment and think about it. Honestly, I really didn’t know where to start with those projects. 
One would be just as good as the other, and I really had no preference about the whole thing. 
Being a husband as long as I have been, I understand she’s not asking a question for my opinion. She is simply 
thinking out loud. I know whichever one I picked, she will pick the opposite. 
“Well,” I said as soberly as possible, “giving this a lot of thought, I suggest you do project number two.” 
“I was thinking,” she said as though she had not heard anything I had suggested, “that I would do project 
number four.” And then she said something else, “What do you think of that choice?” 
I didn’t have to think of that choice because she had already thought through that choice, and no further 
thought was necessary. 

It’s amazing to me how cognitive my wife can be when dealing with her crafts. I’m jealous of that ability. But, 
of course, I know if I had that kind of cognitive ability, it would only get me so deep in trouble that I couldn’t 
get out. 

Doing some more thinking on my own, I thought of a special verse of Scripture. “For I know the thoughts 
that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end” (Jeremiah 
29:11). 

It’s not my thinking that matters so much. Rather, it is what God is thinking about me that encourages me. 
God’s thinking about me is based upon his infinite wisdom and his love for me. 

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! …November Birthdays* Flo Mankin, Alberta Curran, 
Carmela Frontino, Kathy Wood, Lena Zate, Joe Pergola, Janice Kacer, Valerie 
Howard, Lois Stueck, Jean Wood, Shirley Yergeau, Pat Krok, Irene Nakagawa, 
Anna Ross, Mary Steinberg, Mary Bowser, Susan Clifton, Mary Higgins, Kim 
Buchanan, Leigh Thach and Sue Quinn, Jill Girod, Pat Krok, Jeanne Martin. 

* 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 

City Hall and the Hart Park House will be closed Thursday, November 11, 2021 in observance 
of Veterans Day and Wednesday, November 24– Friday, November 26, 2021 in 
observance of the Thanksgiving holiday. 

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 providing 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. 

DOMINOES TRAIN GAME 
Wednesday, 11/17, 11:00 am— 12:30 pm Hart Park House The 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. 
Led by volunteer Loni. 

PAINT PALS 
Tuesday, 11/16, 10:00 am—Hart Park House If you enjoy painting, sketching, water 
color, or making some other form of artistic creation please join our new program, 
PAINT PALS!!! Bring a project that you are working on to the HPH and 
enjoy some quality art time with other artists looking to paint with a new pal. 

TEA AND TALK SENIOR BOOK CLUB 
Wednesday, 11/10 & 11/23— 9:00 am Staff 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, 11/9 & 11/23—10:00 am If you enjoy knitting, crocheting, embroidery, 
needlepoint, bunka, huck, tatting or cross stitch then we have a group for you! 
Bring your current project, a nonalcoholic beverage, then sit and chat with like-
minded fiber friends. We meet in the Hart Park House 

CHAIR YOGA 
Every Monday and Wednesday, 10-10:45 am Please 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. 

HULA AND POLYNESIAN DANCE 

 Every Friday, 10-10:45 am Bring 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. 

Please call Lawren Heinz with any Hart Park House Senior Center program questions 
or to reserve your spot in classes that have limit space. (626) 355-7394 or 
send an email to lheinz@cityofsierramadre.com 

MICRO METRO INFORMATION Service hours of operation are: Monday—
Sunday between 5:30 am-9:30 pm. Download the Metro Micro App, visit: book.
metro-micro.net or call 323-GO-METRO (323) 446-3876 

DOES MEDICARE COVER MOBILITY SCOOTERS OR WHEELCHAIRS? 

Dear Savvy Senior:
I have arthritis in my hips and knees and 
have a difficult time getting around anymore. 
What do I need to do to get a Medicare-
covered electric-powered scooter or 
wheelchair? Need a Ride 


Dear Need: 
If you’re enrolled in original Medicare, getting an electric-powered mobility scooter 
or wheelchair that’s covered by Medicare starts with a visit to your doctor’s office. 

If eligible, Medicare will pay 80 percent of the cost, after you’ve met your Part B deductible 
($203 in 2021). You will be responsible for the remaining 20 percent unless 
you have supplemental insurance. Here’s a breakdown of how it works. 

Schedule an AppointmentYour first step is to call your doctor or primary care provider and schedule a Medicare 
required, face-to-face mobility evaluation to determine your need for a power 
scooter or wheelchair. For you to be eligible, you’ll need to meet all of the following 
conditions: 

Your health condition makes moving around your home very difficult, even with 
the help of a cane, crutch, walker or manual wheelchair.
You have significant problems performing activities of daily living like bathing, 
dressing, getting in or out of a bed or chair, or using the bathroom.
You are able to safely operate, and get on and off the scooter or wheelchair, or have 
someone with you who is always available to help you safely use the device. 

If eligible, your doctor will determine what kind of mobility equipment you’ll need 
based on your condition, usability in your home, and ability to operate it. 

It’s also important to know that Medicare coverage is dependent on your needing 
a scooter or wheelchair in your home. If your claim is based on needing it outside 
your home, it will be denied as not medically necessary, because the wheelchair or 
scooter will be considered a leisure item. 

Where to BuyIf your doctor determines you need a power scooter or wheelchair, he or she will fill 
out a written order or prescription. Once you receive it, you’ll need to take it to a 
Medicare approved supplier within 45 days. To find Medicare approved suppliers in 
your area, visit Medicare.gov/medical-equipment-suppliers or call 800-633-4227. 

There are, however, circumstances where you may need “prior authorization” for 
certain types of power wheelchairs. In this case, you’ll need permission from Medicare 
before you can get one. 

Financial Aid 
If you have a Medicare supplemental (Medigap) policy, it may pick up some, or all 
of the 20 percent cost of the scooter or wheelchair that’s not covered by Medicare. 
If, however, you don’t have supplemental insurance, and can’t afford the 20 percent, 
you may be able to get help through Medicare Savings Programs. Call your local 
Medicaid office for eligibility information. 

Or, if you find that you’re not eligible for a Medicare covered scooter or wheelchair, 
and you can’t afford to purchase one, renting can be a much cheaper short-term 
solution. Talk to a supplier about this option. 

For more information about power mobility devices call Medicare at 800-633-4227 
or visit Medicare.gov/coverage/wheelchairs-scooters. 

Medicare Advantage 

If you happen to have a Medicare Advantage plan (like an HMO or PPO), you’ll 
need to call your plan to find out the specific steps you need to take to get a power-
wheelchair or scooter. Many Advantage plans have specific suppliers within the 
plan’s network they’ll require you to use. 

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.