Fast Time

God said, 'Let there be light.' God saw this was good. Man thought, 'Let there be more light.' Man saw this was better.

Today marks the the one hundredth year of "Fast Time" as it was known in the United States in 1918. Can you believe it, Dear Readers? Lets begin at the beginning.

In 1916, the Germans became the first country to adopt DST (Daylight Savings Time) during WWI. Thanks to Robert Garland of Pittsburg (or not) we followed suite two years later; but, it did not take. President Roosevelt tried again during WWII, in 1942 and this is how time zones (Eastern, Central and Pacific) came about until Japan surrendered in 1945 and then all zones were known as "Peace Time" zones. (I really think we need to remember this more often!) Anyway, between then and 1966, there were no "rules" and people were a little dazed and confused. So, in 1966, the Uniform Time Act (of 1966) was established. There have been some tweaks here and there because of embargoes or energy issues but lets just go with what I outlined. Did you know that all states observe DST save one? Yep. It's true. All states observe DST except Arizona (the Navajo Nation is the exception). Arizonans said look, 'We have dry, hot heat. We have nothing but red dust everywhere. Nothing grows here but cactus, snakes and toads and on top of all this, we have scorpions! ENOUGH!' (We lived there nine years, Arizonans really say this!)

What to do? What to do? Well, since you have an extra hour of daylight, make the most of it of course! Birdwatch, garden (if your ground is not frozen), clean house (stop laughing), bake bread (really stop laughing), take a walk... There are endless options. Me? I think I will pour another cup of coffee, do some silent, but deadly, cursing and go put something on the stove to simmer. Speaking of silent but deadly, maybe I'll go make chili!

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