I made it this week after all. However, I wrote this post on Wednesday. You won’t find my name on the Marketing for Romance Writers 52-Week Blog Challenge page though because I’m late posting and missed the sign up time. This week’s topic is:
Week 11: Keep Daylight Saving Time?
I guess it comes down to liking more daylight in the morning or evening. Since the question asks, my answer is “I’d rather do away with Daylight Saving Time.” I can’t give a specific reason as to why. Sure, like most others, I like long summer evenings, but we’ve had this change for so long, I don’t remember what a winter evening is like without a time change. My oldest son mentioned to me the other day that he now has time to mountain bike ride after work because it’s still daylight in the mountains. Those who work all day get to see sunsets.
How about a history lesson? Apparently, Daylight Saving Time isn’t as new as we might think:
Daylight Saving Time has been used in the U.S. and in many European countries since World War I. At that time, in an effort to conserve fuel needed to produce electric power, Germany and Austria took time by the forelock, and began saving daylight at 11:00 p.m. on April 30, 1916, by advancing the hands of the clock one hour until the following October. Other countries immediately adopted this 1916 action…
From WebExhibits website: http://www.webexhibits.org/daylightsaving/e.html
The 1960s:
According to the WebExhibits website, in the early 1960s in the US, time changes were quite inconsistent until a dedicated time-frame had been figured out. One survey by the Committee of Time Uniformity found:
…on the 35-mile stretch of highway (Route 2) between Moundsville, W.V., and Steubenville, Ohio, every bus driver and his passengers had to endure seven time changes!
Also from WebExhibits website: http://www.webexhibits.org/daylightsaving/e.html
By 1966, some 100 million Americans were observing Daylight Saving Time based on their local laws and customs. Congress decided to step in and end the confusion, and to establish one pattern across the country. The Uniform Time Act of 1966 (15 U.S. Code Section 260a) [see law], signed into Public Law 89-387 on April 12, 1966, by President Lyndon Johnson, created Daylight Saving Time to begin on the last Sunday of April and to end on the last Sunday of October. Any State that wanted to be exempt from Daylight Saving Time could do so by passing a state law.
http://www.webexhibits.org/daylightsaving/e.html
Here’s a good tidbit of information at this History Channel link. https://www.history.com/news/8-things-you-may-not-know-about-daylight-saving-time
This is a blog hop that happens on Friday from Marketing for Romance Writers. Click HERE to visit participating authors.
Stay safe and well everyone. Four days ago when I wrote, Worldwide Alarm and Anxiety: Coronavirus, Covid-19 had not reached my state. So much has changed since then, and it has reached us, my county, and many surrounding counties. After confirming two cases the first day, overnight, we had a dozen cases with over one hundred more being tested. Last night, our governor ordered all schools be closed for three weeks so far beginning Monday the 16th. Other states are doing the same thing.
Please be as safe as you can. Think of those whose health is in jeopardy and keep healthy for them. We all have to do our part in helping to stop this Pandemic. How many of us have never heard that word used in our lifetime? After this, I hope we never hear it again. Remember, the percentage of those who survive this is much higher than those who do not.
Featured Image Credit: Pixabay by Syaibatulhamdi
Mary J. McCoy-Dressel 
14 thoughts on “#MFRWauthor 52-Week Blog Challenge: Saving Daylight”
Cathy Brockman
Rey informative post. I didn’t know the origin. Thanks about the Corona Virus too. It’s getting pretty crazy
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Mary J. McCoy-Dressel
I didn’t know the origin, either, Cathy. I figured it was a good time to find out. Yes, the coronavirus is scary. I’m hibernating. Stay well.
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D. Wallace Peach
I find the time change disruptive and would love everyone to just pick one and stick with it. 🙂 And this virus… every one of us is having to change our lives. Stay safe, my friend.
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Mary J. McCoy-Dressel
Absolutely, Diana. Yes, stay with one time. Even as the homebody that I am, I’m still making changes to my life. Considering grocery delivery now too, and even prescriptions. Who wants to go to a pharmacy when that’s where sick people go to get medicine? They don’t have a drive-thru at my location. You and your family stay safe too.
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D. Wallace Peach
I still need to visit my parents to set up their pills and shower my mom. I’m always gloved and slathered in disinfectant – paranoid about getting them sick, because that will be the end for them. I can’t wait until this settles down.
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Mary J. McCoy-Dressel
I hope it ends soon, Diana. I’m sure your parents look forward to seeing you. I know how much it must frighten you though. ❤
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Jacquie Biggar
They say in Canada 30-70% could be affected by the virus. We’re an aging country and that’s Covid19’s most endangered victims.
I’m keeping my mom home and praying for everyone else.
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Mary J. McCoy-Dressel
Wow, Jacquie, those stats are scary. I’m staying in as much as possible which is easy for me unless I NEED to do something like not starve. I cancelled my in-office doctor appointment next week. If you’re like here, you can’t find a mask, and your mom would certainly need one if she has to go out, and you too to keep her safe. Are they closing schools?
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Jacquie Biggar
In a couple of provinces they have, I’m hoping they do for Newfoundland soon- my daughter and grandson are there. I’m sooo glad the cruise ship industry took it on themselves to cancel trips for a few months, as our local government was debating the issue.
Paper products are becoming a precious commodity, as well!
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Mary J. McCoy-Dressel
My friend’s nephew is leaving on a cruise this weekend. I told my friend to try to convince him not to go. He’s been talking to the cruise lines. I hope the line cancels because people aren’t listening when the CDC is telling them NOT to take a cruise. Why is it even a question! I hope they close the schools where you grandson goes too.
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Jacquie Biggar
Sometimes it’s better to take the financial loss, rather than risk your life!
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Mary J. McCoy-Dressel
I said as much, Jacquie. Fortunately, the cruise line cancelled all trips.
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Jina Bazzar
I like the extra hour the savings make, but I don’t like to wake up while it’s still dark outside.
Stay safe!
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Mary J. McCoy-Dressel
Waking in the dark does make the day seem longer, but I like sitting in the dark with a cup of coffee. On the other hand, if I have to go somewhere early, my eyes are too bad for driving in the dark. Thanks for commenting, Jina.
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