George Singleton: Don't worry about the night and its mysteries

Backwoods scene in Monroe County

(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 “Overnight hike reveals wonders of nature” was originally published in the Oct. 6, 1977 edition of The Monroe Journal in Monroeville, Ala.)

As I have stated many times in previous articles, we do not enjoy the outdoors as we should.

We tend to be content to just sit in front of our televisions and watch events flash across the screen. We have grown accustomed to the hardcore violence and tragic happenings to the point that we accept this as a way of life.

For the next few paragraphs, may I suggest one of the most wonderful ideas that will make the weekend linger in your memory for years to come.

First, secure a small backpack that will enable you to carry the few essentials you will need for a two-day journey. Select the provisions that will supply your body with the necessary nutriments on your outing.

Add a light sleeping back and a poncho. Secure these to the backpack so that they are comfortable to carry when strapped to your shoulders.

Select a pair of boots or shoes that enable you to walk for a considerable distance without hurting your feet. Then map out a route through the scenic hills to the north of here.

We are approaching the time of year when the air is cool and the autumn colors will dominate the hillsides. You can wander for hours and watch Mother Nature take on her coat of many colors. You can sit by a small fire at night, look into the heavens, and see splendor that cannot be described by mere man.

And above all, you will be able to see and marvel at the beauty of nature, the fresh air, the sights and sounds that you can actually experience and feel for yourself, rather than let the television set take you there in imagination only.

If you worry about the night and its mysteries, don’t. Sit and listen to the sounds of night and become a part of your surroundings. For each sound you hear, there will be a reason.

Before you know it you will feel as though you are a part of the sounds around you, and life will take on new meaning.

Learning to live in the great outdoors is a challenge to all. To be able to prepare your food over an open fire is a skill all its own.

But, most of all, to be able to walk quietly along the back trails and witness the Creator’s handiwork is a wonder to behold. As you walk, and the joy of your surroundings overwhelms you, don’t be embarrassed to lift your arms to the heavens and talk to your God. He will hear you, I guarantee it.

(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, was bitten at least twice by venomous snakes, 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.)