Mountain Views News, Combined Edition Saturday, March 4, 2023

Mountain Views-News Saturday, March 4, 2023 

CHRISTOPHER Nyerges [www.SchoolofSelf-Reliance.com] 


YOU AND THE LAND ARE ONE” 

This is the introduction to a book that Nyerges has been writing about how he 
gardens,and how he incorporates his views of living lightly on the land into his 
philosophy of “gardening.”] 

When I was still in my early teens living with my parents, I became very in


terested in the way “we” live our lives: how we produce and transport the food 

we eat, how we make money, how we produce the products of daily life, and 
of course, I wanted to know what drive everyone to do the things they do. Was the concept of 
“survival” always a justification for doing anything, even if it spoiled the land and the water?
Eventually, it came down to learning about botany, agriculture, and producing at least some 
of my own food. 

Those of us who have lived through the “back-to-the-land” era of the `60s, or the “environmentally-
conscious” years during the `80s, have been exposed to and tried many gardening 
systems. There is “organic gardening” and “Steiner’s method” and “bio-augmentation” and 
“French inten-sive” and “square foot” and “hydroponic” and “permaculture” and “circle gardening” 
and “xeriscape” and “sustainable” and on and on.... whatever seemed to be popular 
in the moment. 

On my shelves are gardening books which tell us how to do things “naturally,” “organically,” 
“environmentally,” etc. Though I don’t wish to demean anyone, least of all the dedicated 
folks who have contributed A LOT to our learning, much of my involvement with “gardening 
systems” was unfulfilling to the spirit, needlessly expensive, and took way too much time and 
effort. Could it be that I am simply lazy, not desiring to do more work than is required for the 
given results? 

I am definitely in favor of what is called “organic” gardening (and there are principles to be 
found in many of the systems we’ve listed) -- but I’ve discovered that the activity called gardening 
can, and should, be an integral part of one’s everyday living of dharmaic activity, as 
well as an integral part of the functioning of the nature machine. Hence, years ago, we began 
to use the term Integral Gardening to describe what we do. And, pragmatically speaking, in 
my situation, I have very little time or extra money to devote to what is normally done in the 
name of “gardening.” Yes, I want results, but I cannot spend all day gardening, and I definitely 
do not have the time (or desire) to create a garden primarily to “show-off” to my visitors. 

First, I carefully choose the plants that live in our yard -- for fragrance, edible nutrients, 
useful-ness, and medicinal qualities, as well as suitability to our 34th parallel location. In addition 
to these criteria, we look for drought-tolerance and general hardiness. Suitable plants 
is a key to Integral Gardening, and perhaps the most important aspect is the science of Soil. 
This is because healthy soil engenders plants that are not only more nutritious, but drought 
tolerant, and frost tolerant, insect resistant, etc. The key, always, to solving “plant problems” 
is to improve the soil. 

Integral Gardening takes in the human aspect, and strives to produce a healthy environment 
for the humans too, not just the plants. This includes making your own compost from yard 
and kitchen scraps, using earthworms, using mulch, and understanding the basic NPK formula 
for balanced soil. All these details take research, and thinking to apply appropriately 
in your yard. 

In the background of this “gardening-thinking,” you’ll find Ch’an/Zen philosophy (“living 
mind-fully in the moment at hand,” “disciplined awareness”), the writings about the gardens 
at Find-horn, personal research into “ecological issues” such as desertification and biodiversity, 
decades of personal work with both wild and domesticated floralbeings, the writings of 

H.W. Percival who explains what “plants” really are, and, most importantly, years of training 
by Shining Bear, an Iroquois medicine man who is also a Real Master Gardener. 
In the practical application of thinking, we seek harmonious, principled, integral living -- including 
in our gardening activities. Our choice of floral family-members is concerned with 
real values, not with what’s fashionable or pretty-looking. The re-use of household water, food 
cans, and various other materials in gardening is an extension of our overall recycling program. 
The earthworm-compost pit is clean, easy, and an excellent way to process both kitchen 
scraps and manures from some of our animal family-members into top-quality garden fertilizer. 
The worms themselves are a great benefit to our soil. 

And, of certain importance, the time-conservation that goes with Integral Gardening is as 
much a part of the “wealth” as the fragrance, nutritious food, useful and medicinal products 
that our garden yields. Best of all, we know we are doing our duty in regards to the nature 
machine, which includes the continued viability of our Earthsurface as a living and learning 
place for all the sojourners to come. 


CAN FORREST FIND 
A HOME? 

FORREST is also known 
as “Mr. Handsome.” He 
looks quite regal, like a little 
cheetah, and is a major 
cuddler. He loves to be petted 
and looks at you with 
eyes full of love! He has a 
knack at melting hearts and getting along with dogs! He has 3 other 


siblings, but Forrest can be adopted on his own, especially if there’s another playmate for him 
at home, because he’s quite active and loves to wrestle with his sibs. Age 11 mos, and he comes 
move-in ready, with his vaccines, neuter, microchip and more! Can we get lucky and find him a 
home by St. Patrick’s Day? See more pictures of Forrest at our website’s Teens page. 

You can meet him and fall in love by submitting the application at www.lifelineforpets.org. 

Pet of the Week

 You might think with a name like Rambo that this dog 
should be an action hero. A more accurate name might beVelcro as this handsome boy’s idea of “action” revolvesaround being as close to his people as possible. He quicklybonds with you and once he’s by your side, he doesn’t want tobe anywhere else!

 Rambo is a whiz at several commands and is eager to showthem off. He tries to even anticipate what you want- he's 
been known to patiently lie down next to the volunteers whoare walking him when they stop to chat with someone. Hedoesn’t even need a treat, but he also doesn’t pass them up.


Rambo recently spent time in a foster home where he got to play with another dog, so wethink a similar-sized playmate would suit him. 
Since Rambo is five years old, he is eligible for the Seniors for Seniors program. For anyadopter over sixty, his adoption fee is waived! 
The adoption fee for dogs is $150. All dog adoptions include spay or neuter, microchip, andage-appropriate vaccines. 
New adopters will receive a complimentary health-and-wellness exam from VCA AnimalHospitals, 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 everySunday and Wednesday at 10:00 a.m.

 Pets may not be available for adoption and cannot be held for potential adopters by phonecalls or email. 


MIKE FARRELL STARS IN DR. KEELING’S CURVE AT SIERRA MADRE PLAYHOUSE; OPENS APRIL 21 
FOR THREE PERFORMANCES ONLY 

WHAT: Dr. Keeling’s Curve. A show.
WHO: Written by George Shea. Directed by Kirsten Sanderson. Starring Mike Farrell.. Pre-sented by Sierra Madre 
Playhouse.
WHERE: Sierra Madre Playhouse, 87 W. Sierra Madre Boulevard, Sierra Madre , CA 91024. There is free parking 
available in lots behind the Playhouse and across the street, as well as street parking. There are several dining 
establishments just yards from the Playhouse.
WHEN: April 21- April 23, 2023. Friday & Saturday at 8 pm, Sunday at 2 pm.
ADMISSION: $45. Seniors (65+) $40. Youth (21 and under) $25.
DISCOUNTS: Teen tickets (age 13-19) are available at $5 through the TeenTix Pass pro-gram. Go to our website 
to learn more. 
RESERVATIONS: (626) 355-4318.
ONLINE TICKETING: http://sierramadreplayhouse.orgESTIMATED RUNNING TIME: 75 minutes, no intermission. 

Dr. Keeling’s Curve tells the story of the life and work of Dr. Charles David (“Dave”) Keeling (1928-2005), whose 
work on CO2 (carbon dioxide) measurement at Caltech in the mid 1950s gave the world its first early warnings of 
the dangers of climate change. The fully dimensional narrative explores his life as a husband father as well as his 
brilliant work as a scientist. 

Mike Farrell stars in a solo performance as Dr. Keeling. Mike is known and loved for his 179 episodes as B.J. Hunnicutt 
on the TV series M.A.S.H., but he also had long-running roles on the series Providence, The Man and the 
City, The Interns, and Days of Our Lives. He has also produced several feature films. He has been recognized 
for his work as an activ-ist by such organizations as People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, Human Rights 
Watch, Dearth Penalty Focus, and more. 

George Shea is the playwright. His other plays include Mad Dogs; Luke and Larry and Lin-coln’s Ghost; and Chester, 
Chester, Chester, Chester, Chester. He has written satirical sketch-es for NPR’s All things Considered. He has 
also written for television (Disney’s Goof Troop; Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles; Super Mario World; Jana of the Jungle). 

Kirsten Sanderson directs. A prolific helmer, she has directed new plays by Michael John LaChiusa, Craig Lucas, Shel Silverstein, Blake Edwards, Steven Schwartz and others. Re-cent 
credits include She Loves Me; Father Daughter Suite; Under My Skin; Little Fish; Terre Haute; Julian Po; and more.
“Now It’s late but not too late. an awful lot can happen in, say, 15 years. But we have to move fast and make sure it happens.
“We have the ability to face what confronts us. What is needed is the will. If you love your children and grandchildren and their children and grandchildren over the next ten thousand 
years... “---- Dr. Keeling’s CurveDr. Keeling’s Curve (and Mike Farrell) make science and its impact on all our lives under-standable to general audiences. You won’t want to miss this, as one of our finest actors 
enacts a story so relevant to all of us.
Covid-19 safety protocols are being observed. As of this writing, this means that audience members will be required to wear masks inside the Playhouse auditorium. 

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