Never Mind the Daylight

Posted on March 12, 2015 by Jeff Salter

Leave Our Clocks Alone

By Jeff Salter

This week, we’re having a group session about daylight saving time. It seems some of the Foxes don’t mind it at all. Angie, the Wednesday Fox, dislikes it. Well, I hate it.

Our specific topic: does daylight saving time make us more pleasant, more punctual, or more productive? Grrr.

I’m definitely NOT more pleasant, particularly during the first few weeks of DST. When I’m left to my solo scheduling, I’m typically quite prompt and usually early (regardless of the season). When going places as a couple, I find we’re often barely on time or sometimes late. Go figure. The season does not seem to affect that either.

Clock1

When I worked a regular, early shift in an office environment, DST bugged me, but didn’t affect my productivity per se — in those days, I tended to be more productive in the mornings.

But the productivity part of DST is my biggest beef – nowadays, in retirement – because my most productive (writing) hours are now AFTER supper each evening. When it’s daylight until 9:30, sometimes I don’t see a supper plate until TEN. By the time I eat and then fling myself into the shower, it’s time for bed!

So, in summary: I hate DST, wish they’d set the clocks SOMEWHERE and leave them. My preference would be STANDARD time year ‘round.

For a look at my griping on this same topic from 2013, take a look here:

https://fourfoxesonehound.wordpress.com/2013/03/14/leave-the-stinking-daylight-alone/

Question:

What about you? Do you prefer Standard time or Daylight time? Why? Or do you care either way?

 

 

About Jeff Salter

Currently writing romantic comedy, screwball comedy, and romantic suspense. Fourteen completed novels and four completed novellas. Working with three royalty publishers: Clean Reads, Dingbat Publishing, & TouchPoint Press/Romance. "Cowboy Out of Time" -- Apr. 2019 /// "Double Down Trouble" -- June 2018 /// "Not Easy Being Android" -- Feb. 2018 /// "Size Matters" -- Oct. 2016 /// "The Duchess of Earl" -- Jul. 2016 /// "Stuck on Cloud Eight" -- Nov. 2015 /// "Pleased to Meet Me" (novella) -- Oct. 2015 /// "One Simple Favor" (novella) -- May 2015 /// "The Ghostess & MISTER Muir" -- Oct. 2014 /// "Scratching the Seven-Month Itch" -- Sept. 2014 /// "Hid Wounded Reb" -- Aug. 2014 /// "Don't Bet On It" (novella) -- April 2014 /// "Curing the Uncommon Man-Cold -- Dec. 2013 /// "Echo Taps" (novella) -- June 2013 /// "Called To Arms Again" -- (a tribute to the greatest generation) -- May 2013 /// "Rescued By That New Guy in Town" -- Oct. 2012 /// "The Overnighter's Secrets" -- May 2012 /// Co-authored two non-fiction books about librarianship (with a royalty publisher), a chapter in another book, and an article in a specialty encyclopedia. Plus several library-related articles and reviews. Also published some 120 poems, about 150 bylined newspaper articles, and some 100 bylined photos. Worked about 30 years in librarianship. Formerly newspaper editor and photo-journalist. Decorated veteran of U.S. Air Force (including a remote ‘tour’ of duty in the Arctic … at Thule AB in N.W. Greenland). Married; father of two; grandfather of six.
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19 Responses to Never Mind the Daylight

  1. pjharjo says:
    March 12, 2015 at 1:27 am

    Ah, Jeff. 🙂 You already know my opinion on the matter of DST. At the risk of causing a riot, I might suggest you make your own supper plate early enough to write after dinner, not wait until you “see a supper plate.” 😉

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  2. Tonette Joyce says:
    March 12, 2015 at 6:05 am

    Janette beat me to it, Jeff…the solution is to eat earlier! It seems that the lack of productivity may be in the production of dinner! Can I assume it simply means that you are all busy with outdoor work…and possibly grandchildren running around?
    You have written quite a bit,Jeff. I don’t think a little slow-down is going to stop you much.
    Not that I love DST, but you’ll hear about that tomorrow.

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    • jeff7salter says:
      March 12, 2015 at 8:07 am

      Yeah, grandkids are often part of the mix of factors which make the day seem to never end. And part of it relates to how much snacking either of us have done the rest of the day.
      And, believe it or not, sometimes I just get “involved” in something and lose track of the time. When there’s no darkness outside to remind me to notice the clock, it can escape my attention that it’s already NINE.

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  3. Angela Schroeder says:
    March 12, 2015 at 8:23 am

    With it still being light out when it is late it is hard to judge time by the sun set. It is easy for that time to slip away. I can’t imagine eating dinner that late.

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  4. jbrayweber says:
    March 12, 2015 at 8:30 am

    I used not to care one way or another about DST. But for some strange reason, this year has been different. Not only was I screwed up on time, I’ve gotten my days mixed up. And I’m working waaaaay later than usual. Kinda sucks. And like you, more times than not, I’m eating dinner at 10PM. Of course, it could just be the horrible weather we’ve been having.

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  5. Carol Todd says:
    March 12, 2015 at 1:29 pm

    Well, I’m quite sure this will engender a storm of commentary, but I actually like DST! However, I only like it in its “turn,” as in when its time to switch to or from. Why? I’m not sure, except to say that I love the extra daylight hours in the summer and spring and fall. What’s more, I love when we go “off” DST in the fall and it gets dark so much earlier, just as it should at that time of year. To me, it just means more of a good thing, whichever season we are in. It doesn’t mess with my biological clock or sleep ability, so I say, “Carry on!”

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