Mountain View News Saturday, November 7, 2026 
77SENIOR HAPPENINGS Mountain View News Saturday, November 7, 2026 
77SENIOR HAPPENINGS 
THE HOLIDAYS ARE 
COMING: IS YOUR AGING 
PARENT REALLY DOING 
OKAY LIVING ALONE? 

The holidays are a special time for familiesto come together. But for adult childrenvisiting an aging parent, the holidays canalso reveal something concerning: Mom orDad may not be doing as well as they think. 

When you see a parent regularly, gradualchanges can be difficult to notice. Butafter several weeks or months apart, thosechanges may become more apparent. 


Here are some warning signs worth paying attention to: 

Changes in appearance: Are they wearing the same clothes, neglecting personal hygiene, or losingweight? 
Changes around the house: Is the home unusually cluttered, are dishes piling up, or is housekeeping

being neglected? 

Memory problems: Are they repeating questions, forgetting conversations, or having difficultymanaging medications? 
Safety concerns: Have there been recent falls, missed appointments, or problems preparing meals? 
Social isolation: Are they spending most of their time alone and withdrawing from activities they

once enjoyed? 

These changes don’t automatically mean someone needs assisted living. However, they are reasons tohave an honest conversation about whether additional support is needed. 
One of the biggest mistakes families make is waiting until a crisis occurs, such as a fall or hospitalization,

before exploring care options. 

Assisted living can provide meals, medication assistance, social activities, and help with daily needswhile allowing seniors to maintain as much independence as possible. 
The holidays are an opportunity not only to reconnect with loved ones but also to make sure they are

safe, comfortable, and receiving the care they deserve. 
If you are concerned about an aging parent, you don’t have to navigate the process alone. 
Steve Sciurba, Founder of Safe Path for Seniors LLC, provides FREE senior living placement assistance,

helping families find assisted living, memory care, and board-and-care homes based on individual 
needs and budgets. 
Call Steve at (626) 999-6913. A little planning today can make a big difference tomorrow. 


OUT TO PASTOR 

A Weekly Religion Column by Rev. James Snyder 

THE PUMPKIN PIE CONTROVERSY: 

Fruit or Vegetable? 

After over 55 years of marital bliss, The Gracious Mistress of the Parsonage and Ihave had very few controversial conversations. We agree on more things than wecould ever disagree on. 

Our biggest controversy is broccoli and Apple Fritter. We will never agree on this controversy as longas we live. I don’t think broccoli is a “real vegetable,” and she doesn’t think an Apple Fritter is a “realfruit.” 

Our arrangement is that she can eat broccoli and I can eat an Apple Fritter as long as we’re not at thesame table together. I try to tell her the origin of broccoli, but she doesn’t buy my story. 

It was Thanksgiving time, which is one of the best times of the year for us as a family. We all get 
together for Thanksgiving dinner and enjoy our fellowship. If you could see the table filled with all 
kinds of food, you would be amazed. 

Even though I’m on a strict diet for my health, I sneak behind The Gracious Mistress of the Parsonage’sback and take things from the table to eat that she wouldn't approve of. That’s what family is for, and 
I use it to my advantage as much as I can. 

One of the things The Gracious Mistress of the Parsonage makes for Thanksgiving dinner is pumpkinpie. She usually makes at least four pumpkin pies for the family. In my opinion, her pumpkin pie isthe best you can find anywhere. And believe me, I grew up in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, whichis the pumpkin pie capital of the world. 

At our last Thanksgiving dinner, as we were eating dessert, which was pumpkin pie, I remarked thatthis pumpkin pie was the best I have ever eaten in my lifetime. I know no better fruit for a pie thana pumpkin. 

That was when our controversy started. When I made that remark, she looked at me very sternly andsaid, “Pumpkin is not a fruit it is a vegetable.” 

Then she reminded me of the dishes she made from pumpkins. And it was a long list, to tell you thetruth. All of those dishes had nothing to do with fruit but everything to do with vegetables. I’m notsure there is a dish made from pumpkins that she hasn't made and served in our house. 

The last controversy we had was when I tried to explain to her that an apple fritter is exactly a fruit.
We debated this for a long time, and nobody came out as the winner. I still believe an Apple Fritteris a fruit. 

But back to the pumpkin, she wasn't going to settle for me telling everybody that a pumpkin is a fruit.
She went on to explain all the different dishes she makes, and none of them had anything to do withfruit. The only thing that had to do with fruit was the pumpkin pie. 

When she contradicted me, I was sitting at the table with everybody else, so I looked at her, took abite of my pumpkin pie, and said, “This is the sweetest and most wonderful pie you have ever made.”
And then I said, “Don’t you know that nobody makes a pie out of a vegetable?” 

Of course, she wasn’t going to accept my explanations. She reminded me that I did none of thecooking or baking in the kitchen and so, I was limited in my knowledge of what a pie was or wasn’t.
She then emphasized that she was the family expert on baking pies. 

I did not disagree with that. I’ve eaten all the pies she’s ever made in the years of our marriage, andevery one was delicious beyond expectation. I knew she was an expert when it came to pies.
Everybody around the table was snickering as I continued this little banter. I looked around the tableand asked, “How many here believe that pumpkin is a fruit?” 

Because where we were, nobody raised their hand or even said anything. None of them had anyplans to contradict The Gracious Mistress of the Parsonage. After all, she did a lot of the cooking andbaking for our family get-togethers. And I, on the other hand, did nothing to add to the pie-bakingfor the family dinners. 

They would rather please her than aggravate her. I don’t disagree with them at all. There is no waythat I could ever win the debate along this line. I didn’t think I would, but I wanted to put it out there.
I wouldn’t say anything to The Gracious Mistress of the Parsonage, but I did my research on this anddiscovered that some believe pumpkin is actually a fruit. I didn’t know, so I did that research, andafter that I was very pleased to enjoy another slice of her pumpkin pie. If she wants to believe that 
pumpkin is a vegetable, how in the world is that hurting me? I will do nothing to compromise her 
baking pumpkin pies in our home. 

Thinking along this line a verse of Scripture came to mind.
“Can two walk together, except they be agreed?” (Amos 3:3).
There are some things where we need to agree to disagree. However, all good relationships are builton agreeing on the right things. If we are to arrive at the same destination, it is important that wewalk in the right direction.

e-mail jamessnyder51@gmail.com, website www.jamessnyderministries.com. 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY! NOVEMBER Birthdays* 


Flo Mankin, Alberta Curran, Carmela Frontino, Kathy Wood, Lena Zate,
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, Sue Quinn, Jill Girod, 
Jeanne Martin 

* To add your name to this distinguished list, please call the paperat 626.355.2737. YEAR of birth not required 
REGRET SIGNING UP FOR SOCIAL 
SECURITY? 

Here's what you can do

By Kailey Hagen, CFP® 

You thought you were ready to apply for Social Security benefits, but a few months in, 
you're second-guessing that decision. You're worried that you've permanently shortchanged 
yourself by signing up when you did, rather than waiting until later when youqualify for larger checks. 

You're far from the only person this happens to, and the good news is that you mightnot be locked into your current benefit amount forever. There is a way to get a do-overif you want one, though it comes with a catch. 

Worried person holding glasses and looking off into the distance.
Image source: Getty Images. 

How to withdraw your Social Security applicationThe Social Security Administration allows you to withdraw your application within12 months of applying if you've changed your mind. The catch is, you have to pay back 
all the benefits you've received from Social Security thus far to do this. If you have aspouse or children claiming on your work record, you must repay that amount as well. 

If you are able to pull this off, the Social Security Administration will treat you as if 
you've never applied for benefits before. When you sign up again, your checks will belarger than they were the first time. But this is a one-time offer. The next time you applyfor benefits, you're locked in. 

Many people can't withdraw their applications because they can't repay the benefits 
they've already received. In that case, you're stuck with your current checks for now.
But when you reach your full retirement age (FRA) -- 67 for most people today -- youcan opt to suspend your benefits. 

This will increase your checks by 2/3 of 1% per month, or 8% per year, until you turn70 or request that your checks resume. It could boost your benefits by up to 24%, butagain, it requires you to go without Social Security for a while, which could be tricky if 
you're on a tight budget. 

Your checks will still grow, even if you can't undo your benefit claimIf withdrawing your Social Security application or suspending benefits at your FRAisn't an option for you, you will still see small benefit increases each year thanks toannual cost-of-living adjustments (COLAs). The size of these COLAs depends oninflation. They're not intended to help you get ahead, though. They're just supposed to 
help you keep up with rising living costs. 

Working seniors may find that their paychecks increase over the years. This is especiallytrue if you're earning more now than you did in years past. If you've lost money dueto the earnings test in years past, you could also see a sizable benefit boost when youreach your FRA. Contact the Social Security Administration if you have any questionsabout this. 

The $23,760 Social Security bonus most retirees completely overlook (plus 7 othercostly retirement mistakes)
If you’re like most Americans, you may feel a bit behind on retirement savings. But afew little-known strategies — including a Social Security “secret” — could boost yourincome and help protect your nest egg. 

One easy trick could pay you as much as $23,760 more... each year! Learn more inour brand-new free report: 8 Costly Retirement Mistakes – and How To Avoid Them.
(Note: we may receive compensation from products appearing here). 


Pet of the 
Week 

Meet Nova, a girl who knows how to make themost of a day out! 

This 5-year-old pittie at Pasadena Humanerecently explored Pasadena on a foster field trip,
where she charmed everyone she met, enjoyeda stroll around town, and made very importantstops for a bakery treat and a coffee shop pup cup(which she loved very much!). Nova is a happy,
playful girl whose smile lights up every space she 
enters. 

She loves attention, knows her way around a goodgame of fetch, and makes an excellent walkingcompanion. Looking for someone to brightenyour days and take up a little space in your heart? Nova might just be your girl! 


In honor of Adopt a Senior Pet Month, her adoption fee is waived all November long.
Come meet her today and see what makes her so out of this world!The adoption fee fordogs is $150. All dog adoptions include spay or neuter, microchip, and age-appropriatevaccines.Walk-in adoptions are available every day from 9:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. 

View photos of adoptable pets at pasadenahumane.org.New adopters will receive acomplimentary health-and-wellness exam from VCA Animal Hospitals, as well asa goody bag filled with information about how to care for your pet.Pets may not beavailable for adoption and cannot be held for potential adopters by phone calls oremail. 

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