Singleton says people could learn much by observing nature's creatures

(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 “When wild geese cross the moon” was originally published in the Oct. 18, 2001 edition of The Monroe Journal in Monroeville, Ala.)

As the cool days of October slowly begin to disappear on the distant horizon and the chilly days of November begin to appear in the distance, the time will soon be at hand for the flights of wild geese to begin their journeys south. I know of nothing any more beautiful than to be atop a high hill on a night of a full moon and watch a flight of beautiful wild geese pass across the face of the glowing moon. Many of our society of today know nothing about these beautiful fowls of the air and their habits and behavior, as they make their way across the night skies on their way south.

Very few of us every slip out on a night during the closing days of autumn, when the moon is at its fullest and seek out a high hill to witness this beautiful sight that is there in the havens for all to witness. And, should one observe the behavior of these graceful creatures, one could learn many lessons that could make our lives much better and easier to live on this place we call earth. In observing the flights of wild geese, we could see the importance of pulling together and helping one another in our struggle through life. Life would be much easier for the elderly and those who need assistance in their everyday living.

There was a time in our history when the country folks gave the late autumn flights of the wild geese a lot of attention. They looked for certain signs as these flocks crossed the moonlit skies of the late evenings and as darkness crept across the heavens. The early settlers learned the importance of working together by watching the formations of geese make their way to the south for their stay during the cold winter months.

By flying in a V formation the whole flock adds about a 71 percent longer flying range than if each bird flew alone. As each bird flaps its wings, it creates an uplift for the bird that is following. The lesson that we humans can learn from this is that people who share a common direction and sense of community can get where they are going quicker and easier when they travel on the thrust of one another.

When the lead goose grows tired, it rotates back into formation, and another goose takes over. Man should learn that it pays to take turns doing the hard tasks and sharing leadership because we, like geese, are dependent to a great degree upon each other.

Should a goose fall out of the formation, it suddenly feels the drag and resistance of trying to fly alone. It quickly gets back into formation to take advantage of the lifting power of the bird immediately in front. If we humans had as much sense as a goose, we would stay in formation with those who are headed in the direction where we, too, want to go.

The geese in the formation honk from behind to encourage those up front to keep up their speed. When we humans honk from behind, we need to make sure that our honking is encouraging. Many of us tend to honk at the wrong place and at the wrong time.

In these long flights on their way south, the geese will look after each other. When a goose gets sick or wounded, or perhaps shot by some ignorant hunter, two geese will drop out of formation, and follow him down to help protect and stay with him until he is able to fly again. If he should die from his wounds, the two that stay launch out, either with another formation or catch up with the original flock that they were with when they started. A lesson that we could learn from this is that if we humans had as much sense as the wild geese, we would stand by each other as they do. We would protect and guard those that are in need until such time when they could also continue their journey through life or into another time.

Our society, with all its knowledge, has much to learn from the animals and birds of the air that are around us. In our world of make believe and fairyland, we tend to let pass by much that would be beneficial to us and those around this planet we call earth. We have grown to believe that we are too smart to heed the age-old lessons that have been put here for us to see and learn from.

Man will never survive on this planet unless he joins in with the environment and lives in harmony with that which is here. He must learn to save and protect, regardless how small or primitive each form of life might be. I believe that we as humans are at the crossroads. The time is at hand when we must choose the way that we are to go if we are to survive.

So, as the full moon of late autumn appears high in the heavens, and the chilly winds of the coming winter season appear on the horizon, make a vow to seek out a high hill and watch a flock of wild geese pass across the face of the glowing moon. If you have never witnessed this breathtaking spectacle, it will be something that will dwell within your mind for all time to come.

Much has been placed on this earth for man to witness and learn from. During this time within our country, with all the problems and all the tragedies and pressure we are under, we need to look to the heavens for peace of mind and contentment of the soul. Enjoy all that you can, the beauty is here for us all to see and be a part of.

Before one knows it, the time will come when the beautiful events of nature that were missed will cause a time of sorrow to linger within the mind and soul for all times to come.

As for man, his days are as grass,

As a flower of the field, so he flourisheth,

For the wind passeth over it, and it is gone,

And the place thereof shell be no more.

(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 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.)