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Mountain Views-News Saturday July 26, 2025 


CHRISTOPHER Nyerges 



[Nyerges is the author of “How to Survive Anywhere,” “Extreme Simplicity,” “Til Death Do Us 
Part?” and other books. He can be reached at www.SchoolofSelf-Reliance.com or Box 41834, 
Eagle Rock, CA 90041]

RAINDANCE: ARE THEY REAL?

FOLLOW UP ON MR. CLARENCE!

What a great 
change in this boy! 
Shy and hissy at 
first, now walking 
with confidence 
and asking to be 
petted! And did 
you see how gorgeous 
he is? Mostly 
an Abyssinian coat, with white bib and paws. 
So handsome! He'd probably be best by himself 
as long as you're around a lot. He got along well 
with 2 other male cats at our rescue. He loves 
food and treats, so that will help win over any 
shyness he might 
feel at first. Must 
see him in purr-
son to fall in love! 
Apply to meet him 
at https://www.
lifelineforpets.org/
mr-clarence.html. Go there and see his video and more 
pix of him, including his awesome tail! He’s 4 years old. 
Fully vetted upon delivery.


[The following is an excerpt from Christopher Nyerges’ book, “Squatting in Los Angeles: Life on the Edge,” 
which is available on Kindle or from the store at www.SchoolofSelf-Reliance.com.]



The event I’m about to describe happened over 40 years ago this week! It seems like a life-time ago!

It was Tuesday, August the 14th, 1984, the second to last day of a two week period that I’d be working with 
some of the children at the day camp sponsored by the City of Pasade-na. After their lunch, I began by 
showing my group of children some wild edible plants that I brought to the camp. 



Next we practiced some Indian sign language of the Plains, something I did every day.



Then I demonstrated how to make soap by wetting a few of buffalo gourd leaves and then vigorously rubbing 
them between my hands. Each child then made soap from this plant and in their very excited way 
they cleansed their hands, splashing and yelling as they did so.



The day before, I’d hinted that we might do a rain-dance, and now, as the children were re-turning to their 
circle, a few were now asking with their eager voice, “Are we going to do the rain-dance now?” I explained 
that a rain dance is actually not just one thing, and that it could take many forms and is usually a part of a 
larger ceremony. 



I didn’t have a specific “formula” or procedure, but rather I was attempting to share several key elements 
with the children, elements that I learned from native elders.



I removed my hand-made clay pipe from its container and filled it with tobacco. I carefully lit it and puffed 
on it. Once the pipe was smoking well, I stood in the center and blew smoke to the four directions and to 
the sky and to the earth. I explained to the children that I was offering my smoke as a way of giving respect 
and thanks, in an attitude of humility. The children watched in awe with wide eyes.



Then I passed the pipe around the circle for each child to take a little puff. Each child nerv-ously smoked 
the pipe as it went around, and I told them not to inhale. I explained as we did this that the smoking of the 
pipe was a traditional sign of our friendship and unity.

Then, put the pipe away, and we all danced in a circle, clapping, and chanting a simple rain chant that I 
led. Then everyone let up a cheer for rain. It was all very simple, basic, and or-ganic.



My time with the children was over and they all departed for their next session. 



“Is it really going to rain?” a few children curiously asked me as they departed. 



“Of course,” I replied with assurance. “It will rain by Saturday.” But I really had no idea whether or not this 
would be “effective,” and I’d not checked any weather patterns. For that matter, I’d not even planned to do 
the rain dance until that morning.



A heavy rain fell early the following morning.



By the time I arrived at the day camp on noon Wednesday, our last day, only a drizzle contin-ued to fall, 
and most of the day camp activities had been moved indoors.



Some of the children yelled out to me: “We made rain! We made rain!” I quickly pointed out that we didn’t 
make anything. Rather, I told them, our request was answered.



A few children asked with open eyes, “It rained from our rain dance, didn’t it?” I answered what I believed 
to be true. “Yes,” I told them, while I could see the other counselors smiling and rolling their eyes.



Pursuing the premise that there was a relationship between the dance and the rain, I at-tempted to delineate 
my learning:



1)We washed ourselves before our little ceremony.

2)We requested rain in an attitude of humility.

3)We shared the pipe in a posture of unity and friendship.

4)We sang, chanted, and danced our ceremony not “by the book” but with feeling.

5)And perhaps most important, the ceremony was conducted by children. These children were young
enough to still be uncorrupted by the limitations of adult minds. They had never been told that they
couldn’t invoke rain. So I believe that the innocence and lack of preju-dice on the children’s part was a key
factor in the apparent “success” of our rain dance.



I found that this episode forced me to look at myself and the world very differently. What had happened 
here? It was the middle of August when there is usually no precipitation, and rain came within 15 or so 
hours of doing a rain dance.



This led me to research the many recorded episodes of rain-making and rain ceremonies among Native 
American traditions, and try to find some common elements. Eventually, I compiled a file full of newspaper 
accounts and interviews and book excerpts all about rain ceremonies, and later presented that in a 
lecture. 

The more I looked into it, and inquired, the key idea to keep in mind was that personal atti-tude was the 
essential ingredient, and that “asking for” or “praying for” rain was an inaccu-racy. It also became clear to 
me that it is actually a blessing that most people are unaware that they have such a power over the elementals 
of nature. You could say that our ignorance protects us from the irresistible urge to abuse such ability.


Pet of the Week

Ernest is a handsome two-year-old brindle 
Mastiff at Pasadena Humane with a gentle 
soul and a heart full of love. He arrived at 
Pasadena Humane as a stray back in May 
and has been patiently waiting for the perfect 
family to come along ever since.

Despite his size, Grant is a big softie. He 
already knows a few basics like sit and shake, 
and he’s always eager to show off his tricks, 
especially if there’s a treat or praise involved. 
One of his favorite things is leaning in close 
for head scratches, and once you start, he’ll 
happily soak up every bit of affection.

Spend a little time with Ernest and it’s clear 
he’s more than just a good-looking pup; he’s 
a total love bug who’s ready to find a home 
where he can relax and be loved as the only 
dog in the household. In return, expect 
lots of love in return!Pasadena Humane is 
participating in NBCUniversal’s Clear the 
Shelters campaign; on Saturday, August 
16 from 10am to 2pm, adoption fees will 
be waived for all available dogs, cats, and 
critters.

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