Book – Empire of the Summer Moon

On July 17 of 2013 I posted an article on this book, “Empire of the Summer Moon” by S. C. Gwynne, copyright 2010.  I neglected to write further of it after I finished a few weeks later.

I am a slow reader, and it just never happened.

This cannot really be a finished review, but I will state I was involved in the story.  The history has much to do with Quanah Parker, his mother Cynthia Ann Parker, and Quanah’s rise in the white man’s world.

The following is a quote from the book about Quanah Parker:

“Quanah speaks English, is considerably advanced in civilization, and owns a ranch with considerable livestock and a small farm; wears a citizen’s suit and conforms to the customs of civilization–withal a fine-looking and dignified son of the plains….He is tall, muscular, as straight as an arrow; look-you-straight-through eyes, very dark skin, perfect teeth, and heavy, raven-black hair–the envy of feminine hearts….He has a handsome carriage and drives a pair of matched grays.”

The quote is a chapter 20 footnote for a quote from James T. DeShields, article “Cynthia Ann Parker: The Story of Her Capture”.

I found it to be very interesting for history, and after I really got into the story found it hard to put the book down.

It is not a children’s story.  It is for an adult reading.

-tim

Summer is Ended…

No Summer has not officially ended; it does have another month or so for the sun to continue its downward trek to the South toward the Autumnal equinox and then to Winter Solstice.  Summer is ended as far as the education or our children and grand children are concerned; at least in many School Districts of Southwest Missouri.

As I typed in the title of this post I thought that sounds like a verse from the Bible; I looked and it is found in the writings of the prophet Jeremiah chapter 8 and verse 20;

“The harvest is past, the summer is ended, and we are not saved.” (KJV)

No, children you are not saved from the coming of school, classes, math, reading, literature, Social Studies or what ever it’s called nowadays.  No, teachers you are not saved from the hustle and bustle, disrespect, sometimes disagreeable, and angry children.

The Summer is ended for vacation.  Its time to fill the minds of the children with the desire to learn.  Even to learn how to learn.  I think we adults sometimes forget that we all need to learn how to learn.  That must start in childhood.  From the newborn on through adulthood.  As you can tell by my writing; I am still learning; at least I hope so.

Summer is ended… for school students across Southwest Missouri and other parts of the Country; and the grass is growing, greening, and cooler weather is coming.

From the banks of Flat Creek with my rambling; I pray all the teachers, Administrators, bus drivers, maintenance workers, cooks and all have a great, safe, and wonderful new school year.

-Tim