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Mountain View News Saturday, March 29, 2025


Meet Rocky – The Ultimate 
Purr Machine!

Rocky is a 7-month-
old bundle of love 
with sleek, all-black 
fur and a motor that 
never stops running! 
This big boy purrs all 
the time! Whether he’s 
zooming around with 
his siblings, batting at his favorite toys, or soaking 
up pets and brushings, Rocky is always full of joy. 
And when playtime is over? He’ll happily curl up in 
your lap for a cozy nap.

 Rocky is very sweet, 
very playful, and very 
cuddly. He loves attention 
and will be your constant companion—whether it’s for 
fun, snuggles, or simply hanging out.

 We prefer kittens to be adopted in pairs unless there’s already 
a young feline friend at home. Don’t miss your chance to bring 
this purr-monster home! 

 See more of him and his siblings and apply to meet Rocky 
today at https://www.lifelineforpets.org/mindys-kittens.html 
or use the qr code. 

CHRISTOPHER Nyerges 

[Nyerges is the author of several books including “Self-Sufficient Home” 
and “How to Survive Anywhere.” He also leads wilderness classes every 
weekend. He can be reached at School of Self-Reliance, Box 41834, Eagle 
Rock, CA 90041, or www.SchoolofSelf-Reliance.com]


AN EXCERPT FROM "RICK'S TRAINING," 
A NOVEL ABOUT SURVIVAL AND 

HOMESTEADING (Available from Amazon.)

Chapter 4: BACK IN THE DESERT

It was early in the morning and Rick and Shining Bear were sitting in the back ramada finishing 
their breakfast. Shining Bear was looking to the east, watching the sun, and trying to 
determine what sort of day it would be. Behind them on the back wall were a series of shelves 
with large cans containing mostly herbs. This was Shining Bear’s “store.”

Various people in the high desert had heard of Shining Bear, as the eccentric shaman-type who 
sold herbs from Mexico and other assorted herbal products. Shining Bear once said that he 
never knew how people learned of his herb business, but it was mostly third-hand word-of-
mouth. Mariana felt certain that a big reason that compelled the walk-in customers was the 
desire to see the guru first-hand.

A compact pickup truck slowly pulled into the long dirt driveway and, leaving dust in its trail, 
parked close to the ramada. A young man got out and walked over to Rick and Shining Bear 
in the outdoor ramada, which was the only part of the adobe that appeared to be both an entry 
and a store.

“Is this where I can buy some dried cactus?” he inquired. “Velasco sent me. This place is not 
so easy to find,” he added.

“Oh?” said Shining Bear. “Velasco? Did he say that I knew him?”

“He also goes by The Crow.”

“Ah, yes, The Crow! Anyway, glad you found our place.” He put his coffee cup down and stood 
up. “Prickly pear cactus?” Shining Bear asked. “Do you want it for food or medicine?”

“Food,” said the young man. “I’d like to buy a pound of the powder. We cook with it.”

Shining Bear walked to the wall where there were shelves, like book shelves, which were lined 
with big cans. Each had a paper label on it, and they were all lined up in alphabetical order, 
more or less.

Shining Bear took the can labeled “Pr Pear Cactus” and placed in on the large table, next to the 
scale. He took out a paper bag, opened it, and placed the bag on the scale. Rick watched in fascination 
at the transformation that had just taken place. To Rick, Shining Bear was an elusive 
shaman, and suddenly he became a shopkeeper in a western town, measuring out dry goods.

With a scoop, Shining Bear poured the green powder into the bag, little by little, until the scale 
registered one pound. Shining Bear put the scoop down, closed the “Pr Pear Cactus” can, and 
put it back on the shelf. He returned to the scale and removed the paper bag, and sealed it with 
tape.

Shining Bear told the man the price, and the man paid with cash. Shining Bear then invited 
the man to some of the events that might occur later in the week at the remote desert site. The 
man nodded, took his bag, and drove off in his pickup, again leaving a cloud of dust.

Shining Bear sat back down and picked up his coffee cup to complete his morning ritual. 

“Ah,” Rick began, cautiously, “wasn’t that the same cactus that you sold the guy last week who 
wanted medicinal cactus?”

“Yep,” said Shining Bear, taking another sip of coffee while staring out east of the ramada to 
the rising sun.

“So,” continued Rick, “you charged the guy who wanted medicinal cactus about five times as 
much as the guy today.”

“Yep,” said Shining Bear.

Rick was genuinely curious about these pricing differences, but he felt that he’d have to pull 
teeth to extract the day’s lesson.

“So,” continued Rick, trying to figure out how to ask it.

“So why did I charge that other man more?” said Shining Bear, now looking squarely at Rick, 
stealing Rick’s question.

“The reason is simple,” said Shining Bear. “Cactus is cactus. Any of those people could have 
just picked it themselves for free in the desert, for food or medicine or decoration. But they 
didn’t. They came here. Now, everyone knows that cactus for food in the stores is cheap. It 
doesn’t cost much at the stores that have it, even if it’s processed. And everyone also knows 
that medicine costs more. The man today expected to get food, and he expected to pay less for 
food than medicine. I fulfilled his expectation. In business, you can go for a slow dollar or a 
quick dime. Today was the quick dime. Last week it was the slow dollar. It’s all in the packaging, 
and expectations.”

READ THE REST OF THIS CHAPTER IN THE BOOK, available from Amazon as an e-book 
or hard copy


Pet of the Week

 Kyle is the ultimate independent spirit, a charismatic 
wanderer who’s always looking for the next adventure. He’s 
the kind of guy who makes an entrance, surveys the scene, and 
decides on his own terms whether he’s staying. Affection isn’t 
his first language, but give him space and a little time, and he 
just might choose you as part of his inner circle. Earn his trust, 
and you’ll see the loyal, low-key sweet side hidden beneath his 
too-cool-for-school exterior.

 Kyle thrives in an environment with structure but not too 
many rules—he needs room to roam, but with a patient guide 
to keep him on course. If you’re the type to play it cool and give 
him space, you just might win him over.

 His love language? Independence, mutual respect, and, of 
course, well-timed snacks. He’s not the clingy type, but when he decides you’re worth his 
time, it’s a badge of honor. He’s the perfect companion for someone willing to let the bond 
grow at Kyle’s own pace.

 If you’re ready to be the wingman Kyle needs—someone who lets him take the lead, 
respects his need for space, and has a chill, no-pressure vibe—you just might be the one to 
give this forever frat bro his perfect home. 

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

Walk-in adoptions are available every day from 10:00 – 5:00. View photos of adoptable 
pets at pasadenahumane.org.

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

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


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