Fomalhaut might be Lonely, But Equinox is Busy Here.

September 23 marks the beginning of the autumnal equinox. Summer 2011 is officially over, history. For those in the northern hemisphere, it is time to hurry up and get ready for the winter months.

It is also a time to plant the garlic and divide perennials for next spring; squash, onions, red beets and potatoes, as well as many other vegetables can be canned, froze and stored in root cellars or dried. Tomatoes are great dried and used in recipes.

Equinox is also the time to clean up the garden area for a better start next spring.

One fascinating star during this season change, which can be found in the low southern sky is called Fomalhaut or the Autumn Star. It is the brightest star in the southern sky and thus is also sometimes called the Lonely One.

September 23 is also Dogs In Politics Day – an interesting story. It seems that there was some speculation that Richard Nixon misused some $18,000 campaign contributions (laughable in this equinox) and he addressed the nation regarding the issue. At the time, he was running as a vice-presidential candidate (Dwight Eisenhower was running for president). The address was made on September 23, 1952 and during the course of his speech, he made mention of a dog given to his daughters, named “Checkers”. Dogs in Politics was a day enshrined in American political campaigns ever since.

September 23 is also Native American Day, a day much more important in American political life and history. The changing of the seasons were an important event in Native American lore and religion.

Unfortunately, only the Native American sacred and religious grounds are not protected under the First Amendment, thanks to a 1988 Supreme Court Ruling. Developers continue to trample on sacred grounds and burial sites. No other religion in the U.S. has their churches or cemeteries taken away. For some background information, Sacred Lands.

It should also be noted that thousands of Native Americans have served honorably in our Armed Forces, locally in western PA and NY the Seneca Nation has served with distinction..

On a lighter note, September 26 is known as Johnny Appleseed Day. Apples, even the wild trees, are plentiful this year. Apple trees need the bees for pollination early in the spring and the trees provide plenty of food for out native wildlife from deer to rabbits.

Acorns also seem to be plentiful this year in many areas. The nuts are an important source of food for native wildlife, and for the Native Americans and early pioneers used them as a sort of flour.

The oak tree is the official national tree of the U.S. and it's easy to start one from the acorn. To learn more, click, Oak Tree.

So Happy Equinox Day (season). While Fomalhaut might be a lonely star out there, there's plenty to do on this planet. For example, the following:

Grapes:

Another autumn tradition is the grape harvest along the southern shores of Lake Erie. It seems that the grapes will be plentiful this year and the wineries, most of them small family owned operations should have a good wine making year. There are plenty of wineries which offer tours and tasting, it makes for a good weekend adventure. The region grows plenty of native American grapes for wines, juices and jellies, the Concord.

Frontier at Three Rivers

Same Hossler is a gifted writer and historian. While his books are historically accurate, the events and some of the characters are fiction. The books are enjoyable and informative reading for persons of any age and deal with the pioneer days and the relationships between settlers and the Native Americans in western Pennsylvania.

For great reading, or if your shopping early for unique Christmas presents this equinox season, samhossler.com

Sam is also writing a history blog at Word Press. Well worth the visit.

Equinox Steelhead Run

The southern shores of Lake Erie, in Ohio, Pa and NY will be elbow to elbow soon as the Steelhead Trout begin their traditional run up the creeks which flow into the lake. The Erie County, PA shoreline is noted as one of the best regions and is known as “Steelhead Alley”. The best fishing seems to be in October, November and into December, although the steelhead can still be caught in the early spring before they head back out into Lake Erie.

Sunchokes

For some strange reason, Sunchokes, are also called Jerusalem Artichokes; they are now beginning to bloom. Members of the sunflower family, they are nutritious, healthy, and delicious. They can be collected in the wild, with permission, or grown in the garden. Learn more about Sunchcokes. They bloom with the golden rods and make for a golden equinox every year.