Most Dreaded Weekend

The majority of Americans  dread this weekend, as it marks the beginning of the government-mandated Daylight Savings Time.  Supposedly, at 2 a.m. on Sunday, May 8, everyone living in the Eastern, Central and Mountain time zones, will adjust their clocks forward by one hour.  It was decided that this would give the majority of the populace "an hour more of daylight" to achieve things at the end of the day, before it became dark.  It's a stupid concept.  The sun rises when it rises, and sets when it sets.  I awake with the sun, and am ready to stay at home once it's dark.  But the government decided that we have artificial hours, so in March of each year, we "Spring Forward" and in the fall, we "Fall Back."  Back in history, before electric lights and industrialization, people worked with the natural rhythms of the world - one arose with the sun and worked until dark.  If one was lucky enough to not have to work, one could stay up late into the night, burning candles or oil, and then sleep late in the morning.  However, generally, the sunrise and sunset decided your hours of work - and if it was raining, well, too bad; you still had the chores of living to perform.
   Studies have shown that in the first two to four weeks after we Americans "Spring Forward" more people die from heart attacks, have more accidents in every walk of life, and are at greater risk, in general, due to the time change.  I believe that the artificial settings of "time" are silly.and, yes, the world needs a set time in which to measure things and mark occurrences.  But I question the hours that we, the people, have set for business hours, etcetera.  I generally wake up at 5:30 every morning, no matter what time of year it is - my internal clock says it is time for me to arise and get moving, and I usually do.  I'm usually in bed by 10:15 each night, and I awake totally refreshed in the morning, unless I'm ill.  I'm lucky that my local grocery store and bakery opens at 6 a.m., and I can shop there for breakfast each morning.  Most businesses will not open until 9, or 10 a.m., by which time, in the summer, I've already finished my first round of work - walking dogs and feeding and watering them.  I actually find it rather sad that I'm excited that our local Public Library will be opening at 9 a.m. Monday through Thursday for the rest of this year.  It opens at 10 on Friday and Saturday, and at noon on Sunday.  I feel that a public library should be open to the public 24 hours a day, 7 days a week - but that is just me.  Anyway, this Sunday morning will not be welcomed by the majority of American citizens.
   And I'm still awaiting further announcements regarding the extent of injuries that actor Harrison Ford suffered yesterday afternoon.  He had just taken off from the airport, flying his historic model single-engine plane, when the plane had a complete engine failure.  He radioed the tower that he was returning to the airport, but the plane came down in a heavily populated area.  Ford was able to guide the plane onto a golf course, and the only reported injuries were to himself.  He was taken by ambulance to a hospital, and has undergone minor surgery to repair "several broken bones."  He also had multiple cuts from the broken glass of his windscreen.  I met him a few years ago at a "Heart of the Rockies" plane party, and was a fan of his since he appeared in the original Star Wars movie.  Heal quickly and without problems, Harrison!

Vikings, Weather, and a Come-back

As always, I completely enjoyed last night's new episode of Vikings - especially when Rollo punched Jarl Borg and bloodied him.  The raiding party was blown off course and landed in Wessex, instead of Northumbria, and have aroused the ire of King Ecbert by killing a large number of his warriors, who ambushed Ragnar and King Horik's men.  It seems as if next week's episode will be just as thrilling - Michael Hirst is doing a heck of a job as creator and sole writer of this series!  And Athelstan!  His character is certainly growing....
  A damp squirrel is sitting on the back of the wicker chair outside the window, and is giving herself a thorough grooming.  I think that's a little silly, unless the squirrel is planning on spending the next several hours on the patio, before going back to its nest.  A combination of rain and sleet is falling outside - mostly rain, but you can see the heavier sleet plummet down, along with the occasional snowflake float by.  The kits were out for over an hour before the precipitation began, so they are content.  Nedi is asleep on the top of the cat tree, and Lovey is curled up on the foot of the bed.  It was 41 degrees at 6 this morning, and it's now 36 (at 8:30); and we're expecting snow this afternoon and evening.
  I was proud of myself for having a quick reply for one of my friends on Wednesday - Cole was driving the bus, and I was sitting in the seat closest to the driver.  He asked me what I had given up for Lent, and I said that, thankfully, I wasn't Catholic, and I wasn't giving up anything.  As we started to make a right turn, he said, "Oh.  I thought you'd give up all of your one-night stands."  I fired back, "No, that would cut too much into my income." As the words came out of my  mouth, Cole took the bus over the curb...  I felt I had taken my revenge.  Once we were straight, again, Cole said, "I can't believe you said that!"  And I just laughed.
  Finally, a reminder for readers who live in the United States: Daylight Savings Time begins Sunday, 9 March, at 2 a.m.  Remember to set your clocks and watches forward by one hour.  I always do so Saturday evening....
  Hope you have a tremendous weekend!
 

Saturday: Game and Race Day

It's a cool morning here - we're expecting a high of 60 degrees, and the CU Buffs have a home football game against Stanford. Kickoff is at noon, and other than the Buffs faithful, I don't expect much of a crowd (the stadium is two blocks away from my place). Lovey and Nedi both ran outside this morning when I opened the door, but then were back inside within 15 minutes. I don't know what's wrong with the sun and back yard this morning.

  I will watch the Gator - Missouri game this morning; then tuck into the Breeders Cup at 1:30 on NBC Sports. I'll have to keep an eye on the LSU - Alabama game, but I won't miss the BC Classic race tonight - it's worth $5 million. I thoroughly enjoyed Blue Blood last night - Tom Selleck gets better with age, and I love Lou Cariou, too. Don't forget to turn your clocks back tonight when you go to bed...

  And I hope for faster relief for those folks still suffering without homes, or without power, or with little food or fuel for their vehicles, thanks to Hurricane Sandy. On the east coast, one has to worry about hurricanes and northeasters; in the middle of the country, the worry is tornadoes; out west, we worry about drought, wildfires or blizzards - I can't think of any place in the United States that is totally "safe." To be honest, I miss the storms and hurricanes of the east coast. I dislike the droughts and blizzards I encounter out here. I will always think that I have a dual home - Florida and Chincoteague Island.