Interior of Kauffman’s Handcrafted Clocks, Lancaster County, PA.
Groggier than usual? Me too. Americans set their clocks ahead Saturday night and lost an hour of sleep. Springing forward creates extra sunlight in the evening. It may also effect health and safety many people are unaware of.
Interior of Kauffman’s Handcrafted Clocks, Lancaster County, PA.
According to experts, there’s a rise in heart attacks during the first week of Daylight Saving Time (DST). However, when we turn our clocks back in the fall, heart attacks briefly become less frequent than usual. Drowsiness, disturbed sleeping patterns, headaches, and stress are among the complaints of those who feel negatively affected by DST. Night-owls tend to be bothered more by the time switcheroo than early-birds. Sorry to all you night-owls!
Two states—Arizona and Hawaii don’t observe DST. Indiana adopted it in 2006. Many countries use DST, but not all do so on the same day, creating confusion for international travelers and business communications. I warned my husband before he left for a trip last weekend to beware he didn’t miss his return flight on Sunday.
An Old Order Amish woman whose family owns a business in Lancaster County, PA, told me they change their clocks. She added some Amish switch by half an hour, or ignore it altogether. Her family’s cows must demand milking at the usual times. The Amish men who work at non-farm related businesses still get up at 4 to complete their chores before dashing off to their jobs.
Experts disagree on whether DST saves the nation energy. The California Energy Commission published a report in 2007 that concluded the extension of daylight saving time had little or no effect on energy consumption in California.
Sunrise at Lake Washington, WA
Have you ever arrived an hour late due to DST? Would you like to stomp your foot and say, “No, I’m not resetting the clocks, even if my computer and phone do.” A girlfriend confided she never changes some of her clocks: too much trouble and they’re ready for autumn. Should we choose one time and stick with it or continue yo-yoing twice a year?
When you leave a comment you may enter to win a copy of either Leaving Lancaster or Pennsylvania Patchwork! USA & Canada. Winner has one week to respond.
Congratulations to Jackie T., last week’s winner of the Amish-made potholder and a copy of either Leaving Lancaster or Pennsylvania Patchwork! Thank you, everyone who left a comment about teachers.
To be Released on June 1, 2014
Although there is an adjustment period every year, I like the longer times of daylight when I am not working. My husband and I love to fish so it gives us an extra hour on the lake! Would love to win one of these books.
Fishing with your husband sounds fun, Donna! I can understand how the extra evening hour on the lake would be appreciated by both of you. Thanks for entering the contest and good luck!
iam one of those few people that it has never bothered iam just thankfull for any daylight I get would love to win one of your books have a great day and godbless
You have a wonderful attitude, Donna! I’m glad you’re never bothered by the time change. Good luck in the contest!
I would prefer not to change. Losing that hour makes me extra tired all week.
I must admit I’m having another tired day, Kathy, even though I turned in early last night. Guess I prefer the subtle shifts that come with each season.
I only change my clocks so I don’t miss church that first Sunday, and because of the tv show times. (shallow about the tv, I know, lol) This is a problem the Amish don’t need to worry about.
I was nervous about missing church too, Carol. When the alarm went off Sunday morning, I was not ready to get up, but forced myself. I noticed I sang the wrong words several times and forgot people’s names … signs my brain wasn’t in tip-top shape.
does “whoot whoot” tell you what I am?
I don’t feel the change as much though….as some.
Pennsylvania Patchwork is on the Must get list…but love the other as well. Can’t wait for June release! 🙂
Is that the call of a night owl, Nat? Thanks for entering the contest. I’d love you to win a copy of Pennsylvania Patchwork! Good luck!
I know it’s hard for me to get used to Daylight Saving Time, even though I’ve lived in Seattle for 10 years now. I was born & raised in Indiana, and they didn’t start changing time with DST until AFTER we moved away. Part of me wishes we didn’t have to do it anymore, but at the same time, I like it that it stays lighter later. Thank you for this giveaway, Kate, and hope I can win! God bless you!
P.S. I really like that clock shop this week (I’ll have to visit sometime) & the potholder you had last week! Mind telling me where you can get one? Thanks!
The sun is out, Mallory! It was pouring a few minutes ago, so anything can happen next. I’ve heard sunlight helps the brain and body adjust to time changes, even across the world. Maybe this unexpected light will boost my energy. I want you to win too! The potholder is from Riehl’s Quilts & Crafts in Leola, PA. Good Luck!
I never did like the idea of daylight saving time. I remember one year they decided not to do it . I think it was 1974 I was in 10th grade. They did this to save money. I can remember going to school in the dark. This one time it was icy out and raining . A lot of us went to school on public transportation. Upon bording the bus the driver thought everyone was on but one of my classmates slipped under the wheel of the bus and because it was dark no one saw her and everyone was on the bus. The bus wheels drove over both her legs resulting in her losing them. since then I don’t mind changing the clocks and every year doing so I think of her Sandra Green. I would love to win on of your book a Pennsylvania patchwork. Ironic just this morning I started to reread Leaving Lancaster Thankyou for the contest Victoria
Oh, Victoria, that is such a sad story. However, with daylight saving time, isn’t it even darker in the mornings? It must be, otherwise we wouldn’t have more sunlight at night. It would be handy if we could add an hour of light at each end of the day, but that will be coming as spring approaches. Thanks for entering the contest and good luck!
I like having the extra daylight and since sleep eludes me most of the time, I no longer pay attention. I’m used to being tired and groggy:)
I’d enjoy reading either of your books
Thank you.
I’m sorry to hear that sleep eludes you. I think sleep deprivation is a huge overlooked problem in this country, and maybe everywhere in the world. I’d love you to read one of my books! Thanks for entering the contest and good luck!
Love reading amish books and cooking out of amish cookbooks
I’m imagining that you try out some of the Amish recipes, Lynn. And all of a sudden I’m hungry. Thanks for writing and keep up reading those Amish books! .
I dont like the time change because I’m either feeling i’m to early, or running late..until I get used to the time change, then when I get use to it one way, its time to change it again..I think it should be left alone, and deal with the lightness or darkness on our own
If I had my choice, Kathy, we’d leave things as is. Spring and summer will lengthen the days and then autumn will shorten them, without our interference, and without my having to fiddle with the clocks. Someone told me today that the first day of daylight saving time the market goes down. That’s got to be a sign of something; what, I have no idea. Thanks for writing!
The only time that changing the clocks bothers me is the first day. I too was a little groggy yesterday at church. I am normally a night owl. My husband says I have vampire blood in me. I actually sleep better in the daytime. He is a morning person. I guess opposites do attract…LOL
Thank you for entering my name in your drawing.
Thanks for writing, Christine! Both my husband and I are early-birds, but his idea of early is a lot earlier than mine. Funny about the vampire blood, you night-owl! Good luck in the book giveaway!
I would prefer that we use the same time system all year long — but, what do I know ? I like the idea of not having to change the clocks. Please accept my entry in this giveaway. Thank you.
I’m with you Mary, and would prefer to use the same time system all year long. Either would do. I just don’t like changing those clocks, I guess. One actually broke when I changed it (the knob fell off and into the back) but I figured out how to unscrew the back and fix it. Thanks for entering the book giveaway. Good luck!
Would love to win one of your books. I hate this time moving back and forth, in fact few years back Indiana stayed on the same time year around.
I’d heard a state remained on the same time one year, Sheila. Thanks for letting me know which one it was, and thanks for leaving a comment. Good luck in the book giveaway!
I like DST, I like the fact that it’s still daylight at 8pm, but I don’t like it tha we lose an hour of sleep thou. Takes my family about a week to adjust to this. I just don’t understand why they take it back in the Fall so it’s dark earlier….I agree with the Amish, those cows don’t know how to tell time. Lol! So when it’s time to do the milking they want it done on their time not on DST! =)
Thanks for your comment, Marlene! You are entered in the book giveaway!
Oh and I would love to win one of your books!
I’d love to win one of my books, Marlene! Good luck in the contest!
Now that my husband and I can take a walk after dinner, it’s not so bad. I take back all the bad things I’ve been saying.
An after dinner walk sounds lovely, Judy! Let’s hope the good weather holds out!