Indian Summer Holiday

 This post is about my own "Indian Summer Holiday."

 

Truly a beautiful Indian Summer season has arrived and brought with it a feeling of gratitude for my Cherokee ancestors of long ago in their time, space, and legends. One year ago it became known to me the truth of a message I heard, as a young girl, at a family reunion. Uncle Jim, the main speaker at the reunion, stated,"Our family has a genealogy line linking to the Cherokee Indians." However, I paid little attention until I found records to verify his story. I have always enjoyed the soft season of an Indian Summer but now, the present season, with the new found knowledge of the long past family background, brings new meaning to me.

 The fall season is my favorite time of the year.  The US National Weather Service defines the weather conditions as a period of unseasonable warm, dry weather that sometimes occurs in autumn in the Northern Hemisphere.  It is defined as sunny and clear with            above normal temperature, occurring late-September to mid-November and it's known as an Indian Summer.

Below you can see the breathtaking thrill of Mother nature's show case 

of foliage reaching its splendor in vivid colors -- a true Indian Summer.

Picture provided my June Sivers of Boston

Wanting to know more about the Cherokee Indians, I began to study their background and customs. In doing so, I became intrigued with their lifestyle and desired to honor the Cherokee Wolf Clan, and also the season of the enchanting Indian Summer. With an abundance of enthusiasm, I have dedicated one week in October to their memory.  I have chosen the following six activities.

1. Crafting wall hangings is a favorite hobby of mine.  To honor the Indian Summer, I chose a material featuring colorful autumn leaves. The material is tied with burnt orange wool yarn. After placing the finished product into hot, hot, water the wool yarn balls up giving a hob-nail effect. The unique, humble, earthy appearing wall hanging is placed on our front porch, for all to view. I invite you to come and see.

2. Attending the Ogden Temple is a place I receive inspiration and tranquility. Doing initiatory work for kindrne week in October to my "Indian Summer Holiday." I have chosen to participate in six creative aced Cherokee women and sharing tender thoughts and loving feelings with them is truly a sweet, spiritual experience. I encourage you to partake of the Temple's blessings.

3. A good walk among the fall colors is a must.  On my walk, I munch on a Granny Smith apple and enjoy a strip of beef jerky (Cherokee style) adding spice to the snack.  Stomping through the dry-as-a-bone leaves is an adventure I have enjoyed many times.  Each time hearing the crunching of piled up leaves requires turn-a-round steps to repeat the adventure and enjoy the glorious sounds of the season's Indian Summer.

4. A serving of Cherokee Pepper Pot Soup, with it savory aroma, is a nice tribute to the Cherokee Wolf Clan. It is a delicious way to pay honor. The soup is similar to old-fashion beef stew. The recipe is: Venison or beef short ribs, or beef shanks and vegetables, such as onion, ripe tomatoes, sweet bell pepper, okra, diced potatoes, sliced carrots, corn kernels, and chopped celery. Also, serve a generous serving of Indian corn bread with a pat of butter -- yummy!

Here is a bowl of soup -- it's hot off the stove.

5. For the special occasion, a crib size fleece blanket, with cut fringe edging, will be donated to the Mc-Kay Dee Foundation at the Mc-Kay Dee Hospital.  The blanket will honor the name of Major John B. Downing, my fifth Great Grandfather, and his Indian wife, Hannah Cheto Wolf Fawling, married in the year 1731. Not only will the crib blanket honor the Cherokee woman and her husband, but it will bring comfort to a child who needs to be in the hospital for special care.

6. Some time ago I learned a simple Indian dance. I presented the dance, while wearing my Indian dress and moccasins, to children during story time at the Weber County Library.  Since that time,  I have gained new knowledge of a Fancy War Dance. The information comes from the internet. "The War Dance or Oklahoma style Fancy Dance ranks as the most colorful and exciting of all contests. Although freestyle movements mark this dance, the drumbeat must be followed.  The dance is based on the standard "double step" employed by traditional and grass dancers.  Fancy footwork, increased speed, aerobatic steps and wild body movements are added to this basic rhythm.  Their outfits feature two elaborate and usually bright feather bustles worn on their backs.  Deer hair and porcupine quills constitute the headdress, topped by one or two eagle feathers on a rocker that moves back and forth to the beat of the drum." Will you please join me as we move our body's bones to the solid beat of the pounding Indian drum?

It has been an eventful week, and I am 

thankful for the inspiration of creating 

an "Indian Summer Holiday."

Until the next post, enjoy the season and give honor to your ancestors;  

perhaps create your own special holiday!

The good Lord loves all of us.