Loading...
October 31, 1991 - Wrapped in Nature's Mysterious MantleCS The Suffolk Times • October 31, 1991 Wrapped in Nature's Mysterious Mantle 13v Paul Stoutenburah Sunday morning, 6:30. This is our fifth day of fog. Our world has been changed each day just as the sun sets be- cause it is about that time the misty, white veil starts to sneak back into its favorite hiding places. Then, as the evening progresses, it spreads over ev- erything until by morning we are com- pletely engulfed in its white stillness. Fog is a phenomenon we encounter here on Long Island, particularly on our South side where the ocean plays such an important role in our weather. When it envelops all of the island, the North Shore seems to slip out of its grasp sooner than the South Shore, which has a tendency to linger under its cloud of whiteness. Usually, when fog is about, the wind has disappeared and we're left with an uncanny stillness that almost makes you talk in a whisper. Sounds are muf- fled. Bird calls are few and as you walk along a wooded path the leaves under- foot are wet and flexible in contrast to the crisp, noisy shuffling of feet through fall leaves. Because of the still- ness, each tree has its leafy yellow pat- tern directly below its outstretched limbs. All night and all day the leaves have been falling one by one, as if a lit- tle elf were in the limbs, letting each leaf fall to his delight. Also dropping are the nuts from the trees. They are the only startling sound to be heard as they drop upon my roof or ping as they hit my parked car in the driveway. What is it that releases these floating leaves and crashing nuts? What series of events has Focus on Nature weakened their hold when they with- stood the trials of storms and gales and even hurricanes before? Wet Grass, Wet Feet With each day comes a mantle of dew that creeps into my shoes as I walk across the wet lawn. I kick myself for being so lazy not to have put on the old boots that sit just outside the door. Now I'll have wet and clammy feet 'til I change. Outside I head for the chicken coop to feed the always hungry flock. Even their bickering is muffled by the fog. No need to put water out for them today for each and every blade of grass carries its free capillary catch of mois- ture. I open the gate and out they spill, all with the same intent of eating. A half - scoop of grain is spread in a wide arc for all to eat and yet there are always those who must show their dominance. Like people, chickens have their pecking order and the frail and weak are ruth- lessly driven out of the chosen circle of grubbers. Luckily I hadn't walked into the chicken pen for across the doorway was an exquisite spider web decked out in tiny droplets of dew. What a master- piece. No Brooklyn Bridge with all its tinseled lights can compare to my spider web of dew. Off in the distance I can barely hear a car moving slowly along the road be- NEW SUFFULK. SHIPYAKL) New Suffolk Road, New Suffolk, N.Y. 11956 Tel: (516) 734 -6311, Fax: (516) 734 -6246 "Highest Quality Workmanship at Down -to -Earth Prices" WINTER STORAGE ALL BOAT REPAIRS AND MAINTENANCE SERVICES CUSTOM WOODWORKING - PAINTING FI BERG LASS /GELCOAT REPAIR GUARANTEED GEL COAT BLISTER REPAIR IMRON /AWLGRIP COMPLETE MECHANICAL REPAIRS & REPOWERING ELECTRICAL REPAIRS AND COMPLETE REWIRING COMPLETE RIGGING FACILITIES SPECIALISTS IN FURLING SYSTEMS �., . New Suffolk Shipyard $ 100.00 09am Abr0dMdrbWd&W for up* ad p dound Wu M..b t, IWL veld anti r prew tea before October 3% St together woof* pad Qi MLW Por boat any. NY veld far rMtorlmtan or aPMp oD mmm6shNi WA. New Suffolk Shipyard $ 200.00 Ala ff*wn=e1$&V dAtt wda W for 4tr -at pa- lb" MW&LML ?old o*!prewted before Wcbor A 991.topethrr we a(L"Paid vmor-dor untied. One alpoe W but any. NA bM for wder¢atlon or epreq a aomuaiomnpwt. Photo by Paul Stoutenburgh FOG —There is little we can do to change a foggy day. Perhaps the best plan is to enjoy this phenomenon that invades those who live by the sea. low. Usually they are whizzing by but today with its fog they creep as if blind, their beams of light traveling ahead of them like some giant probe. No other forces but nature's rains, snows, fogs, etc., can show man who is truly in charge. There are those who think they can override these forces but sooner or later they pay dearly for their folly. Fog Slows Everyone Down At least when you are in a car there is a road to guide you, if you are smart enough to slow down, but on the water there are no roadways and fog can un- nerve even the hardiest of boatmen. Loss of direction is an uneasy feeling. I know, for I have been at sea in its soup. Years ago, when I was in the service as part of the crew, we paid little attention to it for it was left to those in charge. But if you were on lookout it was an- other story. Standing in the bow of a ship as it quietly moved along through the liquid whiteness, your eyes straining to see, was a shaking experience both mentally and physically. The blast from the ship's foghorn seemed to penetrate to the marrow of your bones. Thank goodness for radar as we steamed ahead. Later in my own sailboat with no radar, the feeling once again crept over me but now there were no others "in charge." One place in particular I felt completely helpless was off Fishers Is- land with all its rocks to the north. We had slipped out of the harbor just as the fog had lifted but that was short - lived. Soon it moved in and we were en- veloped in its cloud. We moved along like a ghost ship until a rock showed up some 20 feet away. Confusion set in. Our safety was in jeopardy. I saw a lob- ster buoy and started the motor and kept alongside that precious bobbing buoy 'til the fog cleared. I admitted to the fog's dominance. Hopefully, by noon, the sun (as it has each day) will burn through the milky whiteness and we'll have another beautiful fall day. Should the breeze start up the leaves will start to fall as if someone had pulled a string and let the balloons fall down. The dew will have dried up for the moment and the foggy day will be all but forgotten as the dampness dries out. Then night will gather and once again we'll see that mystical change take place over our world. We'll be in for another foggy night and dewy morning. Vets Memorial To Be Dedicated A dedication of the Suffolk County Vietnam Veterans Memorial is sched- uled for 4:30 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 11, at the Bald Hill overlook site on County Road 83, Farmingville. The memorial will be illuminated for the first time at the dedication ceremony. All Vietnam veterans and family members are invited. Further informa- tion can be obtained by calling 331- 2626.