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"The Indian summer, the dead summer's soul"
~~Mary Clemmer Ames |
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Indian summer, it seems, is upon us in the state of Kansas and many other areas of the continental United States. Arriving in the beauty of autumn, Indian summer is a period of unseasonably warm weather, usually following a period of colder weather. Indian summer appears when the leaves have turned red and golden and grass fade to amber. Poet and novelist Mary Clemmer Ames wrote, “The Indian summer, the dead summer’s soul.” I like this descriptive imagery, as if the soul of summer comes back to linger one more time before the cold of winter arrives.
Henry David Thoreau referred to Indian summer as the finest season of the year and many poets including Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, Emily Dickinson, Charlotte Brontë, and Henry Van Dyke have written poems about Indian summer. In his story “The Guardian Angel,” written in 1867, Oliver Wendell Holmes wrote of an Indian summer of serene widowhood.
The term “Indian summer” has often been related to the First People or Native Americans of North America, but the term most likely originated with the white people who settled in the North American continent after migrating from European countries. The term “Indian summer” first appeared in recorded word in 1778 when French-American soldier and farmer J.H St. John de Crèvecoeur used it in his “Letters From an American Farmer.” Then a severe frost succeeds which prepares it to receive the voluminous coat of snow which is soon to follow; though it is often preceded by a short interval of smoke and mildness, called the Indian Summer.
One theory of the origin of the term “Indian summer” states, “The haziness of the Indian Summer weather was caused by prairie fires deliberately set by Native American tribes.” This intentional burning of the prairie grasslands is still practiced in the Flint Hills of Kansas. The Flint Hills of Kansas have some of the richest grasslands in the world, called bluestem grass. Cattle owners the world-over send cattle to the Flint Hills to feed upon these grasslands. The burning of the bluestem prairie grasses allow them to return annually as rich grasses. There are times when travelers on northbound I-35 must to pull over to side of the highway, for when the grasslands are burned, the smoke is so dense that visibility for driving is impossible.
In England, terms already existed for the season of Indian summer – St. Luke’s Summer, St. Martin’s Summer, All-Halloween Summer – but these terms have all but disappeared in North America over the last 200 years.
One explanation of the term "Indian Summer" might be that the early native Indians chose that time of year as their hunting season. This seems reasonable seeing the fall months are still considered the main hunting season for several animals. Also, the mild and hazy weather encourages the animals out, and the haziness of the air gives the hunter the advantage to sneak up on its prey without being detected. Taking this idea one step further, Indians at that time were known to have set fires to prairie grass, underbrush and woods to accentuate the hazy, smoky conditions. But Albert Matthews pointed out that the Indians also did this at other times of the year. Other possibilities include; the Indians made use of the dry, hazy weather to attack the whites before the hard winter set in; that this was the season of the Indian harvest; or, that the predominant southwest winds that accompanied the Indian Summer period were regarded by the Indians as a favor or "blessing" from a "god" in the desert Southwest. Another idea, of a more prejudicial origin, was that possibly the earliest English immigrants equated Indian Summer to "fools" Summer, given the reliability of the resulting weather. Finally, another hypothesis, not at all in the American Indian "camp" of theories, was put forward by an author by the name of H. E. Ware, who noted that ships at that time traversing the Indian Ocean loaded up their cargo the most during the "Indian Summer", or fair weather season. Several ships actually had an "I.S." on their hull at the load level thought safe during the Indian Summer.
In any event, there are several theories or possibilities of the explanation and origin of the term "Indian Summer", yet no one theory has actually been proven. Given the fact it has been centuries since the term first appeared, it will probably rest with its originators. All in all, even with the variety of opinions on this weather (or seasonal) phenomenon, the most popular belief of Indian Summer is as follows...It is an abnormally warm and dry weather period, varying in length, that comes in the autumn time of the year, usually in October or November, and only after the first killing frost/freeze. There may be several occurrences of Indian Summer in a fall season or none at all.
http://www.crh.noaa.gov//dtx/stories/i-summer.php
Richard B. Williams, an Oglala Lakota Native American writes:
Lately we have heard the phrase "Indian summer" used frequently to describe our stretch of good weather. Most of us are taking advantage of the warm weather rather than contemplating the etymology of the term "Indian summer." However, a study of the phrase is an eye-opening look into our nation's history. After years of asking elders and prominent Indian historians, I stumbled across an article written by a leading American Indian author from an Eastern tribe who explained the origins of "Indian summer."
Early settlers who coined the term would see Indian farmers celebrating the blessing of being able to add a second and sometimes third harvest to their winter store following the first frost. The author described how the Indian farmers would give thanks to the creator for the warm days. As we celebrate our own recent warm weather, we must also recognize the contributions that these Indian farmers made to our overall well-being. American Indians were not only the first landowners in North America - they were also accomplished farmers whose agricultural aptitude would eventually transform the world.
http://www.nativevillage.org/Messages%20from%20the%20People/celebrating_an_india...
Whatever the origin of the term “Indian Summer,” one thing is certain: It is time of great beauty and serenity and a time that calms the spirit. Indian summer mingles with autumn, the soul of a dead summer, just before the onslaught of winter. It is a time to be enjoyed and celebrated. It is inspiration for the writer and refreshment for all things created. It is the best of summer and the best of autumn combined as one. It is a reminder on the doorstep of winter that the warmth of summer will return.
For more about Indian summer, see:
http://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/indian-summer.html
http://www.tngenweb.org/campbell/hist-bogan/IndianSummer.html
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As a member of the Spiritual Newsletter editing team, I want to express my appreciation to each of you who take the time to read this newsletter. It is our hope that you can find something here to help in your journey of life and writing.
larryp
francie
Larry - I love the picture included with this newsletter. I followed the first link you included, thanks for that.
I recently returned from nine glorious days in the mountains. Whenever I hike, I find myself waiting for me. It's where I belong.
francie ~~ Thanks for reading the newsletter and for posting your encouraging comments. My wife and I really loved the mountains of Utah. We plan to visit as often as possible. It was beautiful land and our spirits were refreshed, as well as our bodies.
Zeke 
Sometimes, R & R can be as simple as doing something else while still at home. As a short story writer, there are times when for days I write nothing but poetry. It isn't much good, but creating it rejuvunates me.
Zeke ~~ I agree there are many forms of R & R. My wife and I both have jobs were we deal with people who are often less than civil, so we consider our time together in the privacy of our home as R & R.
Winnie 
Hi Larry!
Thanks so much for such a wonderful article! Loved the advice from Da Vince, because it can also be related to the process we use while editing our writings. We have to let it rest, and then we'll see it more clearly. Don't you think?
An article full of good advices and a beautiful quote at the beginning of the newsletter.
I feek honored to form a part of the editor's pick! Thank you!
Wishing you the BEST on your trip for relaxation! Blessings! Winnie
Winnie ~~ so good to hear from you! Thanks for your wonderful comments and I agree with your statement about editing. Our time of relaxation was just that - relaxing and refreshing and a much needed time.
tonistar
The death of a loved one is hard to deal with' especially when loneliness follows.
The end of a friendship can also be lonely.
Such was the case with me several years ago. My husband and I were friends with a couple in Massachusetts. As two couples, we had many happy moments.
Then, about a year later my husband and I had to move. The couple was nice and helped us with the move and for awhile the friendship continued.
Then, about a year later, the letters stopped coming, the phone calls ceased and the caring friendship died.
I grieved for about two years; for I missed their fellowship.
Later on, I got busy and went back to school, did some volunteer work and picked up my freelance writing again. Gradually, the loneliness faded.
I have found that when you keep God first in your life, God will give you every good thing that He wants for you.
Ann ~~ thanks for sharing your experience with us.
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Spiritual: November 05, 2008 Issue [#2698]
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