Mountain View News May 9, 2026 


CHRISTOPHER Nyerges 

[Nyerges is the author of “Guide to Wild Foods” “Forag


ing California,”and other books. He can be reached at Box

41834, Eagle Rock, CA 90041, or www.SchoolofSelf-Reliance.

com] 

WATERMELON DREAMS 

I try not to think back on earliest childhood. The world was my little neighborhood. Adults lived 
in a mysterious world where they knew things I did not. I felt confused, but always hopeful. I was 
reserved outwardly, but always exploring my inner universe where anything was possible. Once I 
was old enough to walk to school on my own, which was kindergarten, the universe grew larger, and 
the enemies and dangers were very real, always around the next corner, often disguised as something 
good, someone smiling. I was afraid, and wary. 

There was also my environment of growing up in a religion, at school and at home. I understood 
that there were greater powers, somewhere. I knew and believed in the forces of the mind, and the 
forces I could not see, often attributed to God. If not God, then usually the devil or one of the various 
minions of the devil. 

Once I ventured beyond the orthodoxy of my parents’ religion, my eyes opened to a parallel universe, 
another world where the powers also existed, without the same self-doubt and fear. Other religions 
– or were they cults? – offered a path to awareness and enlightenment that was new to me. So 
there was actually an established path to spiritual awareness, a paint by the numbers path to higher 
consciousness. At least that’s what I read. 

I studied meditation from a book and practiced it regularly. I realized that my thoughts had wings 
and could go somewhere. I was able to verify this by asking the recipients of my winged thoughts 
about some aspect of the meditation. Amazing, I thought. Why didn’t they teach me that in school?
My life, now maybe 9 going on 10, seemed very restricted with family and school and church. By11 and 12, I eagerly learned about many of the vibrant alternatives to my strict religious life. By 14,
I became a Buddhist and was a devout practitioner. 

This was not idle curiosity. It was the deep desire to know the “What Is” of the universe and of 
my life. It was the burning drive of my life and who I was. Along the way, I studied and practiced 
Wicca, and studied with Jehovah’s Witnesses, born-again Christians, Christian Scientists, Sufism,
Mormons, Moonies, Hare-Krishnas, and others. I even joined Scientology for a spell, and was 
excommunicated, something I have come to regard as a badge of honor. I discovered the metaphysical 
world of Philosophical Research Society and Manly Hall’s “Thinking and Destiny.” 

All paths along some winding path that I believed existed, and which I believed took me to some 
ultimate goal. 

Funny, in a way that I felt with great conviction that there was a one true path somewhere, out 
there, waiting for me to discover. And I found many sincere people, doing what they were doing in 
their organization, fully content. But I asked too many questions, and found fault with this or that 
application of some principle. I saw fault with the current human interpretations of divine law or 
pathways to enlightenment. 

It took a long time to realize that there is no one path, out there, somewhere, waiting for me to find 
it. When asked when the Kingdom will come, Iesu replied that the Kingdom is within. Indeed. 

This is the plot and part of the essence of my “Watermelon Dream” book. All my trials and errors 
and failures and successes and re-trials and more. It’s a book I hope you will be interested to read. 

Watermelon Dreams is available from Amazon as a paperback or e-book. 


Abby and her sister, Coraline, 
share a special bond, and 
their connection is trulyheartwarming to see. As sisters, 
now age 2, Abby and Coraline 
have grown up together and 
share a beautiful connection. 
These adorable tabbies would 
love to stay together if possible, 
continuing their journey sideby side in a forever home. 
In short, Abby is playful and loving, while Coraline is sweet 
and affectionate. 


Two's company--how can you want anything more! Learn 
more about them and apply to meet them at https://www.
lifelineforpets.org/abigail--coraline.html, oruse the QR code here. 

Pet of the Week 

Meet sweet Bella at Pasadena Humane! Bella 
has spent years being a loyal companion, andnow this wonderful golden-age senior GermanShepherd is ready for a second chance with a 
family she can call her own. 

She’s a bit of a local celebrity—an adoptionevent star who’s often out in the community onwalks with her foster or volunteers. 

Easygoing and relaxed, Bella takes new placesand people in stride. Whether it’s a quietafternoon at home or a neighborhood stroll,
she’s happiest by your side. 

If you’re looking for a calm, loving companion,
Bella might be your perfect match! She’s alsoavailable for an adoption trial, making it easy to see how naturally she could becomepart of your everyday life.The adoption fee for dogs is $150. All dog adoptions includespay or neuter, microchip, and age-appropriate vaccines. 


Walk-in adoptions are available every day from 9:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. View photos ofadoptable pets at pasadenahumane.org. 

New adopters will receive a complimentary health-and-wellness exam from VCAAnimal Hospitals, as well as a goody bag filled with information about how to carefor your pet.Pets may not be available for adoption and cannot be held for potential 

YOUR AD COULD BE HERE! 
Call Patricia 626-818-2698Mountain 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 
adopters by phone calls or email.