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Mountain Views-News SATURDAY, APRIL 26, 1015


CHRISTOPHER Nyerges 

 [Nyerges is an educator and the author of over two dozen books including “Urban Survival 
Guide,” “Extreme Simplicity,” “Foraging Californai,” and other books. More information at 
www.SchoolofSelf-Reliance.com]

OCTAVIA BUTLER'S "PARABLE" BOOKS

DO YA WANNADOPT A 
BABY? 

We just got in 3 little fluffball 
siblings—2 boys and a girl, 
and they are SOOO CUTE! 
Only 6 weeks old! You can 
see all 3 on our website, but 
this week we’ll show brother 
JACK. 

He’s adorable and 
cuddly. These 
cuties will be 
ready for delivery 
in June, but pre-
adopt now. We 
prefer that you 
adopt 2 together or have another young kitten at 
home. This age is also fine to be introduced to a 
nice doggie. We take care of vaccines, spay & neuter, 
testing, microchips, and more!

 Please go to our website to submit your application 
to meet them, https://www.lifelineforpets.org/babies.
html. Hurry! They won't be this tiny for long! 
Born 4/1/25


In the last few 
months, numerous 
friends 
have told me that I should read 
Octavia Butler’s “Parable of the 
Sower,” a book that she wrote in 
1993. I finally got a copy to see 
what it was all about. 

The book is a day by day account 
of growing up in a futuristic society 
that is disintegrating at every 
level. The story begins in a town 
called “Robledo,” which I am told 
is the Pasadena/Altadena area 
where Butler lived. There are 
pervasive water shortages, climate 
change, economic depression, 
and vagabonds everywhere 
ready to steal and kill for whatever 
you have. 

Butler’s story is told through the 
eyes of then 15-year-old Lauren 
Olamina, who watches her 
little world as things just get 
worse. There are dead bodies in 
the nearby foothills, and thieves 
who regularly go into your yard 
to steal whatever fruit is on your 
tree. 

The day by day existence is 
rough, dangerous, and unpredictable. 
Police are around, but 
generally only if they are paid for 
their services. Lauren sees her father disappear and never finds out what happened. Her plan 
is to travel north, by foot, and make it to a better place. Slowly she collects a small band about 
her whose focus is to escape the burning and destroyed towns. Food, water, and medical aid 
are constant issues.

Lauren is a writer and has also slowly compiled a collection of truisms, which she calls Earthseed. 
We’re not sure if Lauren’s Earthseed is a religion or a belief system, but it gives her hope. 
To her, God is Change.

This is a hard book to read since it feels too real, and it makes you want to do everything you 
can possibly do to maintain all that is good and just in society so we never go down that path.

I wondered if Butler could see into the future.

In her sequel to “Parable of the Sower,” which is “Parable of the Talents,” the daughter of Lauren 
is the main character, describing the difficult development of a community in Oregon that 
seeks to find meaning and order in a dysfunctional society.

In “Talents,” Butler mentions the politics of the day, almost as a footnote. In her fictional 2032, 
there is a Texas Senator Andrew Jarret whose followers seem to be a throwback to the Klu Klux 
Klan, burning and killing people they do not like. 

Writes Butler, “Jarret insists on being a throwback to some earlier ‘simpler’ time. ‘Now’ does 
not suit him. Religious tolerance does not suit him. The current state of the country does not 
suit him. He wants to take us back to some magical time…” a time that Butler adds never really 
existed. “But these days when more than half the people in the country can’t read at all, history 
is just one more vast unknown to them.”

“Jarret supporters have been known, now and then, to form mobs and burn people at the stake 
for being witches,” and witches is defined as a Moslem, Jew, Hindu, Buddhist, or in some areas, 
Mormons, Jehovah’s Witnesses, ‘cults,’ even Catholics, anyone who doesn’t match Jarret’s version 
of Christianity. Butler adds that Jarret “condemns the burnings, but does so in such mild 
language that his people are free to hear what they want to hear.”

In Butler’s quasi-prophetic works, she says that Jarret tells everyone, “Join us, our doors are 
open to every nationality and every race. Become one of us. Help us to make America great 
again.” Jarret lets people know that if they do not join him, “whatever happens to you as a 
result of your own sinful stubbornness is your problem.” 

In the story, Lauren’s daughter is concerned that her little Earthseed group might be viewed as 
a ‘cult’ by the blind followers of Jarret.

Again, the book is hard to read, and one cannot help but think that Butler had a glimpse into 
one possible future. It is my belief that Butler wrote the book so that readers would awaken 
to the path that might lead to this “future,” and do everything possible to create a world that is 
just, fair, and equal for all.


Pet of the Week

 
Momo is a 3-year-old, tall and dashing 
adventurer who's ready to be your loyal 
sidekick! Momo is a Chow mix, and despite the 
fluffy coat, we “only” weighs about 65 pounds. 

Momo's got personality! He’s sweet and 
affectionate, and he’s even been described as “a 
pro snuggler”. While he can be a little nervous 
with strangers, he warms up very quickly, 
especially when he’s getting tasty snacks. He’s 
also very quick to show off the tricks he’s 
learned- he's a master at “sit” (when he wants 
to sit, that is). He’s also learning “shake”, but it 
seems like he’s just in a hurry to get back to one 
of his new favorite activities- splashing in the 
pool!

When he’s not splashing around, he enjoys 
going on hikes and long walks, and exploring 
the outdoors. He’s always up for a game of fetch 
and if you’re lucky enough, he’ll even bring the 
toy back to you. 

 Momo has had experience living with other 
dogs, so he might be a good companion for a 
similar-sized buddy. 

 Whether lounging by your side or exploring 
the outdoors, Momo will bring joy, loyalty, and 
a touch of goofy charm into your life. He’ll 
even help keep you cool on a hot day. Ready for 
an adventurous, affectionate companion? Momo’s your guy!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.


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