Back when dinosaurs walked the earth (when I was a kid), DST was a different thing. Until the Uniform Time Act was passed in around 1966, it was left up to local governing bodies to decide to change the time in spring and fall. In Oregon it was at it's most confusing in the late 50's into the early 60's. Cities took to it, welcoming the extra light during hours children were outside.
Outside the towns, not so much. Oregon was then still mainly agriculture and logging.
People who's work hours started with first light, loggers, ranchers, etc didn't care what actual time it was, just that there was enough light to work. Ranchers said their cattle didn't wear wristwatches.
The result was that most rural areas did not change their clocks, while most (but not all) towns did. It even got more confusing: some towns used DST Monday through Friday, but not on Saturday and Sunday.
The net result was as the group Chicago sang, "Nobody really knows what time it is...". If a rancher outside Bend drove into town it might be an hour later when he crossed the city limits. Unless it was Saturday. If you were living in town, you might have to change your clocks Friday and Sunday evening. Bend had two small towns within 20 miles, with frequent trips by people on weekends to shop or visit. It may or may not be the same time there. If you were a farm or ranch kid, you had to remember the school bus was on a different time zone than yours.
Now retired, I find myself going with the ranchers, I get up when first light filters through the blinds, and when I'm tired I go to bed.
Does anybody really know what time it is?
ReplyDeleteDoes anyone really care?
:-)
Chicago. Love it.
Pearl
I fear you may be in the minority here, Pearl. Much as I like your blog.
DeleteI recall travelling as a child in the fifties, we three kids looking for clocks at banks or in restaurant windows. Is this time on DLS or not. It was mainly a back seat argument; our parents lived by the time on their wrist no matter what time zone we'd entered.
ReplyDeleteNow those wonderful clocks on cafe windows and on street lamps are replaced by digital readouts that probably lie.....
DeleteI completely missed it this year. I got up on Sunday morning and by the time I opened my computer moments later a whole hour had passed. I wish they'd just forget the whole thing permanently.
ReplyDeleteIt'd be easier, right?
DeleteGreeeaaaatttt, now I've got that song in playing within the walls of my skull. In some places and cultures in the world, this would be considered a human rights violation. Even and especially the ones I just made up.
ReplyDeleteTime may be something of an elastic and abstracted concept, but these changes throw me off for at least a week. The fact I'm an insomniac probably is part of the reason.
You'll never get me to the Hague, standing before the court. The extradition process will be fought at every step.
DeleteThat's crazy. But - retired people shouldn't get a vote on DST. You can do whatever you want, regardless. I crave that after work sun and I think we ought to stick with thee DST throughout the year.
ReplyDeleteOh, way to marginalize my generation! Like we care what you kids think.....I swear, kids today.......
DeleteAgree with Secret Agent Woman about retired folks having no vote but don't agree about DST. My vote is for Standard time year-round. I don't like waking up in the dark and going to be in the light.
ReplyDeleteI sense a burgeoning conspiracy here......we'll stamp it out!
DeleteThe wise lawmakers of Arizona (he said sarcastically) have banned Daylight Savings Time for most of their state. Curiously, the Navajos and Hopis observe it on their reservations.
ReplyDeleteBut I'm with you, fellow retiree, I've taken to waking just before dawn and going to bed...as you say...when I'm tired.
Bruce
ReplyDeleteWe have the brethren of your lawmakers here in MT. Open container laws were pass only 2 years ago, prior to that one could have a beer between your legs while driving....then there was the 'no speed limit' law of a decade ago...now it's a pending law allowing students to have guns on campus at state universities.
I love DST in the fall. Hate it in the spring.
ReplyDelete