Mountain Views News, Combined Edition Saturday, October 22, 2022

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Mountain Views-News Saturday, October 22, 2022 

CHRISTOPHER Nyerges 


IN SEARCH OF SOMETHING 

[This is a section of a chapter in Nyerges’ latest book, “Watermelon Dreams,” stories of his 
childhood. Nyerges is an educator and author of about two dozen books. More information 
can be had at www.SchoolfSelf-Reliance.com] 

I don’t recall the first moments that I began to ask questions about some of the 
dogma of Catholicism that I had hitherto simply accepted and taken for granted as 
fact. But first, let’s go back to the beginning, as much as possible. 

Though I didn’t have any particular affinity for the “going to church” experience, per se, I did feel 
respect for the individual of the priest, and for the organization of the church and its rich history. But 
to go to church meant to get up early, to wash, to get dressed up in good clothes, to walk the five or six 
blocks to the church, and then to sit there, usually bored while something was going on up on the altar. 

 I respected the priest. I knew that he had some unique training, that he was special. 

He had special knowledge, and a closeness to God. I wanted those things. 

Sometime before first grade, I shared with my mother that I wanted to be a priest when I grew up. 
Not that I knew what all that entailed, but I felt that somewhere within that life-choice of “priest” was 
where I wanted to take myself and where I wanted to be. To me, it meant genuine holiness, eating 
simple food, a monastery, Saint Francis, close to nature, meditation, maybe fasting, prayers, songs, 
being close to God. … 

My mother seemed interested and showed me pictures of the clothing that priests wore, and explained 
how she could buy some that would fit me, or she could sew some. We could then “play priest” in the 
backyard in the patio. We talked about how we could fix up the back patio to be an altar of sorts, and 
how I could wear those priest garments, and perform a pretend Mass in the backyard. Who would 
attend such a pretend Mass, I wondered? But all the talk was about the need for clothing, a chalice, the 
details of the altar, and the trappings of the priest business. We didn’t actually discuss what it was that 
I would do once we got all the stuff. I was too young to initiate any action on my own, and so nothing 
ever came of it, which is actually a good thing, because when I said “I wanted to be a priest,” I did not 
mean that “I want to wear the clothes of a priest and pretend to be a priest.” 
I often thought about the nature of priesthood and what it would mean to take vows to that idea, to 
that belief. I never quite accepted the idea that a nun or priest was “getting married to Jesus” or “getting 
married to God.” The nuns at our Catholic school would sometimes show us that they wore a 
ring to show that they were “married to Jesus.” At least, that’s what I recall they said – some of them 
could have said they were “married to God.” Whatever. Marriage, to me, connoted many things 
within the context of a human relationship, but it did not seem to be the sort of relationship you’d have 
with “God.” To me, back then, that commitment seemed far deeper that that with which most couples 
enter the typical marriage. Perhaps I just thought about it all too much. … I needed to “get into in,” 
to quote Ken Nordine. I wanted the “experience” of one with God, but no one presented the “how” to 
me and I didn’t know what to do or how to ask. 

I recall my mother telling me that it was a mortal sin if you miss Mass on Sunday. I remember thinking 
that my mother got that one wrong, that the Church must mean that missing Mass was only a 
venial sin, which is a lesser sin than a mortal sin. But I learned that she was correct, that in one of the 
councils, or maybe by papal edict, sometime in the year 1000 it was declared that attendance at Mass 
was mandatory, and that it was a mortal sin to not attend! But still, to me, to not attend a church on 
Sunday really seemed more of a violation of a rule of membership, but not what I would consider a sin 
or even a moral lapse. I certainly couldn’t see missing Mass was somehow on the same level as killing 
a person. … 

And that was the beginning of the end to my absolute mindset that I must attend Mass every Sunday 
if I wanted to avoid time in Hell. And I really did want to avoid time in Hell, described as “eternal” 
burning damnation! But it took years to alter the effects of what I’d been taught. 

[This chapter continues in “Watermelon Dreams” by Nyerges, an e-book available from Kindle] 


FAMILY MATTERS

 By Marc Garlett 

WHAT IS “DIMINISHED FINANCIAL CAPACITY,” 
AND WHY IS IT SO DANGEROUS FOR SENIORS? 
The National Institute on Aging estimates that nearly half of all Americans 
will develop some form of dementia, such as Alzheimer’s Disease, during their lifetime. And while 
the cognitive decline brought on by dementia affects a variety of different mental functions, one of 
the first mental abilities to go is often one’s “financial capacity.”
Financial capacity refers to the ability to manage money and make wise financial decisions. Cognitive 
decline brought on by dementia often develops slowly over many years, so a diminished financial 
capacity frequently goes unnoticed—sometimes until it’s too late.
Moreover, studies have shown that seniors’ confidence in their money-management skills can increase 
as they age, which puts them in a potentially perilous position. As seniors begin to have 
trouble managing their money, they often don’t realize they may be making poor choices, which 
makes them easy targets for financial exploitation, fraud, and abuse.
If you are concerned a parent or other elderly family member may be having financial capacity issues, 
it is imperative you speak to a trusted estate planning attorney before the situation gets any 
worse. An experienced attorney can help you put the right estate planning tools in place to protect 
your elderly family members and their assets from the cognitive decline brought on by dementia and 
other forms of incapacity. 
Once again, don’t wait to tackle this if it’s a concern in your family. After a person’s cognitive decline 
reaches a point of incapacity – which is a quasi-legal/medical determination – many of the planning 
options that would have been available become obsolete. Legal planning works best if it’s put in place 
well ahead of when it’s needed. 
Best, 


Marc Garlett, Esq.
Cali Law Family Legacy 
Matters 
www.caliLaw.com 
626.355.4000 

SIERRA MADRE ROSE FLOAT ASSOCIATION SEEKS APPLICATIONS 
FOR PRINCESSES/AMBASSADORS 

The Sierra Madre Rose Float Association is once again seeking applications for the position of Princess/
Ambassador (in any combination of female/male) to represent the City at local functions and activities 
and to ride on our float on January 2, 2023 in the Rose Parade® presented by Honda! 

This year we are searching for up to four (4) Princesses/Ambassadors who will not only have the honor 
of riding on the Sierra Madre float, but will have the pleasure of speaking to the Sierra Madre City 
Council and local service organizations and clubs. In addition, they will assist with float decorating and 
contribute to publicity opportunities. We will follow current Covid-19 guidelines throughout our float 
season. Unvaccinated candidates are requested to wear a mask. Princesses/Ambassadors will have a 
very exciting and educational year! 

Application Guidelines and Process: 

1) Applicants must be 15 to 18 years old, have a 3.0 grade average, and be a resident of Sierra Madre. 
Princesses and Ambassadors must be available to participate in the speaking engagements and during 
our Deco Week (December 26 – January 1). 
2) Applications may be picked up at City Hall, the SMRFA barn on Sundays, or downloaded from the 
Sierra Madre Rose Float Association website: www.sierramadrerosefloat.org 
3) Applications must be received at the SMRFA post office box, OR placed in an envelope and put 
under the door of the Float Barn at 587 E. Sierra Madre Blvd. OR emailed to info@sierramadrerosefloat. 
org by Friday, October 28, 2022 at 5:00 p.m. Applications submitted later than October 28th will not be 
considered. 
4) Applicants must be able to attend judging interviews on the afternoon of Sunday, October 30th. 
Our new Royal Court will be announced within 10 days of the judging. The Sierra Madre Rose Float Association 
Royal Court will be presented to the membership on Sunday, November 20, 2022 at 5:00 p.m. 
at The SMRFA Barn, located at 587 E. Sierra Madre Blvd., Sierra Madre. 
For more information or questions, please contact Gwen Robertson, 626-272-1702 or send an email to 
info@sierramadrerosefloat.org. 

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 


IT’S SHOW TIME! 

These cuties are ready for their 
starring role in a loving, forever 
home! Two siblings were just adopted, 
so now these three have a 
chance to shine! At 3 mos. old, 
Mr. Peets is a big boy, but melts 
in your arms when cuddled. Joe is 
black and white, with that special 
black “mask.” He’s smaller than 

Mr. Peets, but he’s mighty, and makes his presence known! 
Beautiful tortoiseshell sis-ter, Mocha, is sweet and mellow, 
but can hold her own with her brothers. All of them are cuddly, affectionate, friendly, 
and playful. We ask that you adopt two unless there is another young feline at 
home. Mr. Peets and Joe would be great together. They will already come spayed/
neutered, micro-chipped, vaxed, tested healthy, and more! That’s big savings for 
you! Get the process started to meet them by submitting the application at www.
lifelineforpets.org. 


Can’t adopt? Please share with someone who can. We want these babies in their 
forever homes asap. Thank you! 

Pet of the Week

 Just like his Addams Family's namesake, Fester is 
missing a small amount of hair. Unlike the famousfollicularly challenged Uncle, this Fester is likely tohave a luxurious coat when his fur grows in.

 Fester is a two year-old shepherd mix, and an activeone! He loves exploring the play yard and chasingtoys. His fetch game needs improvement though, asthe chasing is much more fun! His favorite one sofar is the ball, but then he finds a rope toy, no, wait,
it's the stuffed toy!

 This Fester cannot generate electricity, but itshouldn't shock you that he is a really friendly andfun dog and will be a great addition to any family!


The adoption fee for dogs is $150. All dog adoptions include spay or neuter, 
microchip, and age-appropriate vaccines.

 New adopters will receive a complimentary health-andwellness 
exam from VCA Animal Hospitals, as well as a goody 
bag filled with information about how to care for your pet. 

View photos of adoptable pets and schedule an adoption appointment at 
pasadenahumane.org. Adoptions are by appointment only, and new adoption 
appointments are available every Sunday and Wednesday at 10:00 a.m.

 Pets may not be available for adoption and cannot be held for potential adoptersby phone calls or email.