ive yellow citrine, or topaz quartz, often substitutes as this month’s birthstone. The citrine, from the French “citron,” or lemon, can be bright yellow, golden or golden-brown. The colors of both the topaz and the citrine are reminiscent of glowing autumn leaves.
November’s birth flower, the chrysanthemum, is both a popular florist flower and a fall gardening staple. Long revered in East Asian cultures, the mum has been bred in a rich variety of flower shapes and a rainbow of colors. This flower is a common ingredient in traditional Chinese medicine. In Japan, where the “kiku” or mum is a symbol of royalty, there is even a national chrysanthemum day called the Festival of Happiness. Easily cultivated and long lasting, chrysanthemums are the largest commercially produced flower in the U.S., according to the National Chrysanthemum Society. These cheerful, spicy-scented flowers symbolize friendship, optimism and joy.
National Weather Service Weather Forecast Office: Just What Is Indian Summer and Did Indians Really Have Anything to Do With It?; William R. Deedler; 1996
PowWows.com: “Indian Summer”; Jamie K. Oxendine; July 21, 2011
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs: History of Veterans Day
History.com: Mayflower Myths
“Sunset at Sussana Farms” by Clint McMahon
“Indian Summer” by William Trost Richards; 1875; in the public domain
”In Flanders Field” illustration; John McCrae and Ernest Clegg; 1921; in the public domain
Azotic topaz by Humanfeather
Chrysanthemum x grandiflorum ‘Shaman’s Vision’ by DG member Equilibrium
Tazetta Narcissus 'Ziva' by DG member ellopj
all other images in the public domain
(Editor's Note: This article was originally published on November 3, 2011. Your comments are welcome, but please be aware that authors of previously published articles may not be able to respond to your questions.)