Tonight, Hubby and I were rowing back to our dock (about 100 ft. or so), and we were wondering about phosphorous in the ocean. Every time our oars disturbed the surface of the water, the phosphorous would sparkle in the light. As much time as we have spent on or near the water, we have never really thought about what causes this. Is it real or is it (Memorex), no....really... is it microbial animals?? Or is it the salt content of the ocean?? The ocean is such a strong pull for some of us (I truly believe that ALL life began in the ocean), maybe some of you folks have wondered about the ocean and it's mysteries. Well... guess this has nothing to do with homesteading, but just curious!!?

-- Anonymous, August 13, 2001

Answers

Here's what I know aboutcha Marcia. You like Elvis, you and your husband built a log cabin, You have fine pine floors and now I know you live on a lake. Hows that?

What I really wanted to comment about tho was what I saw once at a pristine alpine lake while backpacking. In the middle of the night I crawlled out of my bag for a nature call and glanced down at the water. The water lit up in one spot with arching diamond sparkles! It started in one spot then another and another!! I was puzzled because I've never saw anything like it. I watched for a long time trying to figure this out. Then It dawned on me that it was the fish jumping throwing water into the air and sparkling as it fell! The moon was full and right behind me. It was one of the most beautiful things I've ever seen!!

Have you ever seen this on your lake? I've been backpacking for 35 years and I haven't seen it again but I continue to watch for it.

Sorry this has nothing to do with your question but I had to ask when you said you were in that boat at nite.....Kirk

-- Anonymous, August 16, 2001

Wow Marcia, sounds like an awesome sight!! Never have really heard about it before but it sure makes me want to come to the ocean.

-- Anonymous, August 16, 2001

Wow! so cool you guys! Never saw that! I have seen foxfire in the woods at night tho. and I don't care how they try to explain it away, I know that it's magic! grinTren

-- Anonymous, August 16, 2001

You're right, Kirk, we live on a "lake" alright...Lake Atlantic :-)!! All joking aside, I also remember seeing this phosphorus on the beaches of Cape Cod when we lived there. When you walk barefoot across the really wet sand it sparkles at night. Our boat is moored about a mile down the road from us and we keep a dinghy tied at the dock to row out to it. It's fascinating to watch it! Maybe it is foxfire...better yet...I like the magic idea, Tren!

-- Anonymous, August 16, 2001

Speaking of Elvis...does anyone remember what day today is??

-- Anonymous, August 16, 2001

I have seen the phosphorescence on a lake in E. Washington. It was also in the moonlight, and very beautiful. I considered myself very lucky to have seen it!

-- Anonymous, August 16, 2001

I give Marcia---what day IS today?

-- Anonymous, August 16, 2001

Elvis died today in 1977. I know this because it was mentioned on the 'oldies' radio station I had on.

-- Anonymous, August 17, 2001

Elvis isn't dead, he just went back home.

-- Anonymous, August 17, 2001

You're right, Julie. Guess we'll all be going "home" eventually! I often wonder, though, if the world would be any different if both Elvis and J.F.K were still around??

-- Anonymous, August 17, 2001

Yes, I think it would, Marcia (what a thread drift here -- hee hee). I don't think I could possibly think of all the ramifications if JFK had not been murdered. Although in the end, we probably would be in essentially the same place, just some different history in between.

Regarding Elvis, DEFINITELY! We would NOT be awash in Elvis impersonators and the rags would have to write about something other than Elvis and JFK sitings! Wouldn't THAT be nice? {BG}

-- Anonymous, August 17, 2001

I heard on the Bob & Sheri show this morning that more flowers were sent worldwide when Elvis died than when Princess Di was killed!!

-- Anonymous, August 17, 2001

He obviously sang better than Di.....kirk

-- Anonymous, August 17, 2001

You're right on with that, Kirk. And he definitely LOOKED better :-)!!!

-- Anonymous, August 17, 2001

I remember the day Elvis died. I was 13, and my family was on vacation up at Niagra Falls. We hadn't seen any newspapers or TV to know what had happened, all we noticed is that every radio station we tuned to was playing Elvis songs. We just thought that the Canadians were really big Elvis fans. :) It wasn't until we got home and saw the newspapers that we figured it out.

-- Anonymous, August 20, 2001

Sherri,

I can remember as plain as day when Elvis died. Me and my then 3 yr. old son and I were cleaning and preparing to load up our 8 x 30 ft. trailer with all our personal belongings and head north 400 mi. to a "strange" state where we knew no one!! Hubby was making sure that our truck could handle everything (mechanically). We were 26 yrs. old. Seems like a lifetime ago! Lived in that trailer for 2 yrs. with no running water!! (portable potty :-)!!)

-- Anonymous, August 20, 2001

It's interesting to hear everyones rememberances of when Elvis died. What year was it anyway?

-- Anonymous, August 21, 2001