Rose and The Secret of the Valentine Angel, A Poem By Peter Melton

FEATURED COLUMNIST

Rose and The Secret of the Valentine Angel

A Poem By Peter Melton Once upon a now and not so far from here, Comes the story of an Angel, an Elf and a Mirror.

This angel was born of Love late one night, With her wings oddly shaped and her skin red and bright.

Her Mom named her Rose, and watched her blossom with Love, But since she was different, the other kids pushed and shoved.

They made fun of her skin and her looks, oh the things they would say, But they all had one thing in common, they all hoped to be picked one day.

Picked to join the Valentine Cupid, he chooses one angel each year, To help him spread Love and Valentine’s cheer.

On the night before Valentine’s, Cupid arrives in his cart, And an angel is chosen, based on the Love in her heart.

Rose just knew she wouldn’t win, so why even try? And on the day before Valentine’s, away she did fly.

After flying for a while, a strange site caught her eye, There was a sign, by a cave, and she wondered why? “The Cave of Valentine Secrets, that’s an odd place to find,” She decided to go in and then a thought came to mind.

“Secrets,” Rose thought, “Might this be a key? If I knew a Valentine’s secret, Cupid just might pick me.” Rose walked into the cave and she looked all around, But all the walls were like mirrors, from ceiling to ground. “There are no clues in here, no Love Secrets to see, Everywhere I look there are just… reflections… of me.”

She paused for a moment as another thought came to mind, “Could the Secret of Love be a reflection of some kind?”

Just then a small voice, the voice of an elf, Said, “The Secret of Love, is to first Love yourself.”

A startled Rose replied, “How can I Love myself when I just don’t belong?” And then the voice answered back with this little song.

“When you Love yourself for just being you, That glow shines on others, and it bounces back too.

Just like with a mirror, your glow will come back, And you’ll be giving yourself the love, that you think you lack.”

“I get it,” said Rose, “I used to look to others for their love to show, But the secret of Love is a reflection, and it starts with my glow.

Thank You, oh thank you, sweet voice from the cave, Now that I know the secret, I suddenly feel brave.

I must get back soon, Cupid is choosing tonight” And she took off real fast, with a flash of red light. She heard cheers and trumpets, was this her big night? “They’re happy to see me,” she said, “This all feels so right.” The girls all ran toward her, but then she could tell, They were cheering for Cupid and her spirits fell. He had arrived at the same time, with a flash of red light from his cart. The girls were cheering for him, and it broke Rose’s heart. She stood there alone, as angel tears filled her eyes, Her very special night had been cut down to size.

Rose hunched down in the back, her night seemed so bleak, As Cupid climbed up onto his cart to speak. “I’ll ask you all one question, no this is not a trick,

“Rose” page 27

U.S. Presidents

ACROSS

1. Short for specification 5. Knave 8. *Like President

Eisenhower’s head 12. *One fourth of a

Presidential term 13. Take-out handout 14. The Beast’s problem in “Beauty and the

Beast” 15. *Pres. Eisenhower established this space agency 16. Thought 17. Body of water 18. *#22 and #24 20. First-rate, slangily 21. Terminate, as in mission 22. Lingerie staple 23. Public speaker 26. Ivory tickler 30. “Fresh Prince of ____-Air” 31. Most likely to win 34. Pot contribution 35. By surprise 37. Indian restaurant staple 38. Lacking justification 39. Office communique 40. Greece and Bulgaria peninsula 42. Overnight stop 43. Indifferently 45. Sturdily built 47. English course abbreviation 48. “_____’ it easy” 50. Oliver Twist, e.g. 52. *University of Virginia founder 56. African prairie 57. *Second most-popular

Presidential birth state, after Virginia 58. Arm bone 59. Poem at a funeral 60. German title 61. Arnold Lobel’s “Mouse ____” 62. High school club 63. Clinton ____ Rodham 64. Hitler’s Deputy

DOWN

1. Update a FitBit 2. Sound of bells 3. “At ____, soldier.” 4. Modern tie forerunner 5. Aromatic lumber 6. Beside, archaic 7. Two of the same 8. *The only President who was a bachelor 9. ____ 51, Nevada 10. Law school entry requirement, acr. 11. Bear’s room 13. Edith Piaf’s hit 14. Meat of coconut 19. Digital tome 22. Trash container, e.g. 23. *One of three

Presidents to win a

Grammy 24. James Dean’s famous role 25. Remember this battle 26. *First to serve coast to coast 27. Indo-Aryan, as in languages 28. Did not smell good 29. Like yellow polka dot bikini 32. June 6, 1944 33. Salt in cocina 36. *a.k.a. Silent Cal 38. Loosen ropes 40. Deli acronym 41. ____ ____ help 44. Hawaii’s number 46. Mob offensive 48. High-pitched laugh sound, in print 49. Like Bananas Foster 50. “All’s well that ends ____” 51. Away from wind 52. *Second most common Presidential first name, after

James 53. Type of gin 54. Cross to bear 55. Midday slumbers 56. Chill, with ‘out’

What we have been experiencing in both our country and our world — upheavals, disorder, disruptions, mayhem, turmoil, confusion, chasms of power and wealth, polarizations, shadow puppets, transformations and transfigurations — all of this shattering conflict and chaos — has to do with the planet Pluto whose task is to brings all the hidden darkness (abuse, unequal power dynamics, black magic manipulations, globalist agendas of control, government crimes against humanity, misuse of money, lies, etc. etc.) into the light of day.

Pluto itself is the symbol and archetype for death, destruction, transformation so a new living life wave can break through the chains of darkness hindering humanity’s move forward.

Pluto completes one circle around the earth every 248 years. On February 21/22, 2022, Pluto in the sky will be directly on Pluto in the United States natal astrology chart. This is called Pluto return. We know about Saturn returns, which can be quite difficult. A Pluto return is a metamorphic change in the fabric of a country, an event or a person. This Pluto event will be the first time since the founding of the United States, a country based on freedom and liberty.

We are seeing everywhere major interruptions, collapse and breakdowns of all that we know. This is the result of Pluto’s effects, especially here in the United States. Called a Pluto return, this is creating the most important radical shift and change any person or nation can experience in their lifetime. The outcome is total and complete transformation. Pluto, in its task of altering life as we know it, is being assisted in these changes by the shift in the Ages, from Pisces to Aquarius. The Earth’s new rising sign is now Aquarius, the “light that shines on earth and across the seas...cleansing with its healing rays, all that must be purified until the dark is gone.” Aquarius and Pluto are working together to bring about an entirely new world order (original esoteric phrase).

The outcome is and will be world shattering, drastic, pervasive, ground breaking, innovative, radical, revolutionary, and essentially the death of all old forms, its impact affecting us well into the future. So we can emerge, a phoenix out of the ashes of darkness and into the Light of Day.

ARIES Right communication comes from right observation, being a dispassionate yet curious onlooker. You think about friendships, warm comforting food, harmonious surroundings and kind people with shared thoughts. You seek peace-loving friendships, inclusive intelligent conversations, bubbly things to drink. And you consider whether you should participate in invitations or not. You think of sitting by the fire at home, reading a book, family all around. You choose your heart’s desire.

TAURUS You’re out and about in the world. Everyone sees you as attractive, charming, responsible, a leader, someone intelligent, kind and in charge. People like you. You rub shoulders with those in power, in the know, highly positioned. You negotiate through social interactions with great subtlety. You’re affectionate and happy seeing new opportunities arise. You’re successful due to your artistic talents. People’s heads turn as you walk by. Remember what’s real and what’s not. You’re real.

LEO Relationships seem to anchor your very life force. You can live and work and be alone. However, at this time close interactions, intimacy and harmony with another is more important. You seek, in ways great and small, ways toward balance and peace. There is great responsibility and many tasks around these will be asked of you in the coming times. It is important to cooperate with others, creating new ways of living, community ways. Relationships need to call upon a state of grace so love can be fully expressed.

VIRGO You want to be practical and helpful (not always but mostly). You want to learn how to best serve those close to you, especially a partner. You don’t want to be overly loving, just thoughtful, present, mindful and available. When discovering harmony and order you realize that opportunities such as these are often fleeting. Know that you can design all relationships that are filled with everything everyone needs. This is the workings of one who is directed by the Soul. You are the Soul.

SAGITTARIUS It seems you want more or new or different friends. You want to have companionship and you want to be a companion to someone in love in return. You want to know everyone in the neighborhood. You want them to speak with you and you with them. You want to know the names of winter plants, flowers and birds. You need communication, no conflict, diplomacy, cheerfulness and wit. Begin your communication with the devas. The rest follows.

CAPRICORN During this time there is a feeling of contentment, a sense that everything’s in place, everything is as it should be. Every now and then there is restlessness, small thoughts that ask what makes you happy, what is happiness? Amidst the simple pleasures you’ve created, you want a sharing to occur, with friends, intimates, and most of all family. Love is stable. There is comfort. There is something in your life that cannot be said in words - a waterfall, a thrush, a running brook. A forgiveness.

GEMINI You need to expand beyond the routine, beyond the daily news. People worldwide, of different disciplines, education, culture and backgrounds need to hear what you have to say. You are the dispenser of new information. It’s important to seek out the arts and entertainments. What are they? You’re to be part of creating the new era. Group work becomes vital, stabilizing your talents & gifts. Maintain health with focused intent for you are to build, with others, the new culture & civilization.

CANCER You seek a certain intensity and truth telling in all encounters, even casual interactions. Anything superficial obstructs your thinking. You consider what this vulnerable state of limitation means. You do not want to feel betrayal. You want to feel and express your ever moving forward intelligent nature. And you seek this in return with others. You begin to see beauty in everything. And seek to serve those in need. You are the nurturer in times of war and peace. The spirit of revolution sets it seal upon you.

LIBRA This is a time where you radiate a caring magnetic attractiveness. The outcome of this could be new friends, new ideas, new groups or a vivifying of a present relationship. It could be that everyone listens to your ideas with great attentiveness and wants to imitate you. When you are more loving you are then, in turn, more loved and appreciated. An expansive creative self-expression is about to come forth. You know what is right, what is good, what is fair and what is just. You radiate success and good cheer.

SCORPIO You may feel as if you simply cannot leave hearth, home, family, garden, or pets, even a goldfish (Pisces influence). You ponder upon the past, feel nostalgic, a bit sad at times, remembering past loves, opportunities not taken, places unvisited. This gives you the impetus to change your environment a bit. Perhaps you are called home. This shift and change reflects a new aesthetic of peacemaking and stability. You sense what is most important and what is not. You sing and the hills answer. •••

AQUARIUS Do you deny yourself things? Do you step back from what you desire, aspire toward, love? If so, let this drop away for several weeks, attempt to place yourself at the center and reach out to what is comforting, restful, kind, caring, warm and merciful. Allow yourself to loosen up a bit, letting some of your protective shields to drop away. You will be safe. Dress up a bit, making yourself more attractive than usual. Think of yourself as a listener and one who has developed cooperation. A new thought for one who comes from the future.

PISCES Parts of you have migrated into a private deeply internal place, creating a sort of hibernation, taking cover like a bear entering a cave for the winter. Other parts of you are out and about attempting to be merry. Simply know and allow both actions to be. Don’t think something’s wrong. You’re learning how to share and accept, be aware of and work with many levels and realities at once. At times there’s a sense of longing, a wistfulness. Things end. You sigh. Risa D’Angeles • www.nightlightnews.org • risagoodwill@gmail.com

“PVUSD Q&A” from page 24

In an effort to support our students and continue to follow required guidelines, the ten Santa Cruz County Superintendents and the County Office of Education consulted with our local public health officials to help clarify the Jan. 12, 2022 updated guidance provided by CPDH and develop appropriate policies for Santa Cruz County schools pertaining to sports and extracurricular activities.

The following guidelines have been reviewed and are supported by the Public Health Department of Santa Cruz County. Effective immediately, schools will begin implementing the following guidelines: • Regardless of vaccination status, all students will be required to test weekly to participate in indoor sports and extracurricular activities that take place indoors (e.g. afterschool indoor practices and performances such as

Band and Drama) • Students exposed in a school setting, where both parties were masked, who participate in testing may continue to take part in all aspects of

K-12 schooling, school-administered afterschool programs, sports and extracurricular activities unless they develop symptoms or test positive for

COVID-19. Protocols for out of school exposures remain the same as they have all school year. • To adhere to testing requirements, schools in Santa Cruz County will only take into account test results that are administered and observed by health care providers, Inspire drivethrough/school clinics or other CLIA certified laboratories. Home tests are to be used for parents to evaluate the a student’s COVID-19 status only.

Good news! Local Bay Area doctors agree that the pandemic emergency is over & covid-19 is now considered an endemic. They are urging we lift mask policies for school children. (https:// www.kron4.com/health/coronavirus/ covid-is-now-an-endemic-not-apandemic-san-francisco-doctors-say/) When does PVUSD plan to remove its COVID protocols?

PVUSD will continue to require all students, staff and community members within school facilities to continue to wear face coverings as required by CDPH and as noted in our Standard Operating Procedure #13. n

Regardless of vaccination status, all students will be required to test weekly to participate in indoor sports and extracurricular activities that take place indoors.