Empire of the Summer Moon

I did it. I followed through on one of my News Years' resolutions. I read a non-fiction book and I must say, a pretty good book.


My father and my sister are big history buffs. They love to read about history. I had not read much history or non-fiction....not since I was forced to in high school. My challenge to myself was to increase my knowledge of American History, so I set out west.

Empire of the Summer Moon by S. C. Gwynne is riveting and powerful, a true masterpiece of the Texas Frontier in the 19th century and a vivid description of one of the most ruthless Indian tribes, the Comanches. It details the kidnapping of Cynthia Ann Parker by the "lords of the plains", the Comanches, and her decision to stay with the Comanches than return to her white family, chosing to live with one of the most ruthless, vile and powerful Indian tribes.


I read this book in less than three weeks. Once I started, I couldn't stop. Mr. Gwynne talks about Samuel Colt, Jack Hays, Randall Sidle Mackenzie, Sul Ross and Quanah Parker, all instrumental figures that shaped the Texas Frontier. He makes history fun, exciting and colorful.


For example, he briefly mentions General George Armstrong Custer.  Did you know that General Custer was 34 out of 34 in his class at West Point? Interesting and amusing.......no wonder he and his troops were so viciously defeated at the battle of the Little Big Horn.


For my first book about the Comanches and the Texas Frontier, I can say I was interested and intrigued enough that I would read another book of this topic.


If you are interested in reading this one, let me know. I'll gladly share!


Happy Reading!

Jill

Thankful Thursdays

My history.

"Some people believe that without history, our lives amount to nothing. At some point we all have to choose: do we fall back on what we know, or do we step forward to something new? It's hard not to be haunted by our past. Our history is what shapes us...what guides us. Our history resurfaces time after time after time. So we have to remember sometimes the most important history is the history we're making today." ~ Meredith Grey, Grey's Anatomy

That quote moves me. It makes me realize that, no matter how far in the past, how significant, how moving, that the history of my life is a thing of the past. Yes, it has shaped me and molded me into the individual that I am.

My history started the day my grandfather, Dorris Harrold, bought me my first Angus heifer. I was all of one day old. He knew what life lessons I could learn by being a cattle woman. He had done the exact same thing for my mother and guided her through ten years of 4-H. More importantly, he and my grandmother, Mildred Harrold, instill in both my mother and I the life skills that made us confident, independent, strong willed individuals.




Dorris Harrold with two Angus steers - circa mid 1960s





Sharon Harrold Sommers with Roscoe in August of 1968

 As I raise my own children, I now realize how much my history has shaped who I am and who I want my children to be. But as I dwell on the events of the past weekend, I realize that my pride and joy is no longer in the history that shaped me, it is now in the history that I am making today...the history of my children.



Luke & Lucy at the 2010 Hoosier Beef Congress

 Luke is the 8th generation of my family to be a member of the American Angus Association and owner of Angus cattle. I can trace it back to my great, great, great, great grandfather, Alexander Cook. He brought Angus cattle from Scotland to Indiana. He's the fourth generation to show and exhibit cattle. However, as you can tell from the photos above, irregardless of the breed, we just love being involved with the beef cattle industry. So I encourage you...look into your history and see how it shaped you but more importantly make some history today!

P.S. Yes, I have been on a month long hiatus from blogging. What happened? Life - that's what happened. Cattle shows, head colds, family trips, and the hustle and bustle of the holidays. Stay tuned for more!