George Singleton encourages readers to 'look at the beauty that abounds within our surroundings.'

George Buster Singleton

(For decades, local historian and paranormal investigator George “Buster” Singleton published a weekly newspaper column called “Somewhere in Time.” The column below, which was titled “We miss beauty in surroundings,” was originally published in the June 17, 1976 edition of The Monroe Journal in Monroeville, Ala.)

We have in our busy society hurried our way through one of the most beautiful times of the year.

In most instances, we have forgotten to stop and look at the beauty that abounds within our surroundings. We have not paused long enough to notice the peace that has been placed here for our asking.

In our hurried lives, we seek from time to time certain medicines to help us relax and unwind from the daily grind. In doing so we overlook the most important factors that the almighty has placed here to aid us in finding peace and contentment.

I will offer to you a solution that, if practiced, will add years to our lives and bring many hours of joy and peace to a troubled society.

Get away

First, an ideal place must be found where one can get away. You may want to carry your entire family, or maybe just go alone.

A high hill is an ideal place, where you can sit and watch the setting of the sun or hear the winds sigh through the trees.

Perhaps you would choose a place beside a stream. Sit for a while, listen to the dancing waters and feel the contentment that abides there.

Or sit for a while in a shady spot and clear your mind of all the things that tend to bother you. As you watch the changes take place around you, your mind will become noticeably serene.

Open your arms

If you have chosen a high hill for your secret place, and as you watch the setting sun cast its shadows across the evening sky, the beauty of the moment might tempt you to stand and open your arms to the heavens.

If you feel the urge, do not be ashamed. Stand and be heard, because the Creator who made all things beautiful and perfect will look down on you and you will rejoice for being there.

(Singleton, the author of the 1991 book “Of Foxfire and Phantom Soldiers,” passed away at the age of 79 on July 19, 2007. A longtime resident of Monroeville, he was born to Vincent William Singleton and Frances Cornelia Faile Singleton, during a late-night thunderstorm, on Dec. 14, 1927 in Marengo County, graduated from Sweet Water High School in 1946, served as a U.S. Marine paratrooper in the Korean War, worked as a riverboat deckhand, lived for a time among Apache Indians, moved to Monroe County on June 28, 1964 and served as the administrator of the Monroeville National Guard unit from June 28, 1964 to Dec. 14, 1987. He was promoted from the enlisted ranks to warrant officer in May 1972. For years, Singleton’s columns, titled “Monroe County history – Did you know?” and “Somewhere in Time” appeared in The Monroe Journal, and he wrote a lengthy series of articles about Monroe County that appeared in Alabama Life magazine. It’s believed that his first column appeared in the March 25, 1971 edition of The Monroe Journal. He also helped organize the Monroe County Museum and Historical Society and was also a past president of that organization. He is buried in Pineville Cemetery in Monroeville. The column above and all of Singleton’s other columns are available to the public through the microfilm records at the Monroe County Public Library in Monroeville. Singleton’s columns are presented here each week for research and scholarship purposes and as part of an effort to keep his work and memory alive.)