... and in the end...

We've been spoiled here the last few days. After a run of cold nights and crisp New England Fall days we have had an Indian summer. Officially, there needs to be a frost at some point during the cooling weather before the warm stretch. I think we had a frost. If we didn't exactly where I live I know there are plenty of places that did. The exact origin of the term is somewhat clouded. It is either tied to the time Colonists first saw the Natives harvesting their squash and corn crops; the period when Native raids on European settlements ended for the year, or of course closely related to "Indian giver" as in false summer. There are many names for this warm respite from the inevitability of the winter months. In much of Europe there is St. Martin's Summer. In Russia there is Old Ladies' Summer. I imagine the list goes on and on. Those are the only others I know. Feel free to share any others you may know.

It's funny how some things stick with us. Becomes part of us. Part of our mythology. When I was young I always thought of myth as ancient stuff. You know, Zeus and all that lot. It took me a good long time to realize that George Washington throwing a silver dollar across the Patomic say, or some of the deeds of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table were just as much myth. Stitches in the fabric of what makes us us.

No wonder the world is in such shambles though huh? Everybody off in their own corner. Every region silently swayed by such deeply ingrained mythos. Add religion into the mix and I'm surprised people get along at all. Everybody's racing around with their heads down trying to get ahead of the next person. Trying to be more important. Trying to get more money. Drive a better car. Buy the biggest house. Pray to the best God. Every one is out to get for themselves. Screw the next person. We should just hand out guns to every last person. Make it a level playing field.

Whoa, whoa, whoa! What just a second. (Everyone lurch forward as I slam on the brakes.)

I know, I know. Crazy talk from the Night Guy. After all don't we all just want the same thing? Don't we all just want to be safe and secure? To have some stuff to make us feel comfortable? Of course. The thing is can't we do it all together? Can't we give a hand up to the person behind us? Does it all have to be Machiavellian?

If the love you take is truly equal to the love you make; if you really get back what you give, isn't that how we should be striving to get ahead?

Well, running out of time here. Still lots of chores to do.

Until next time. Peace.