So, right off the bat, November has a little something for almost everyone: an extra hour of sleep! (My apologies to those with small children and pets who are unclear on the concepts of time . . . and sleep.)
Twice a year people start talking about abolishing Day Light Saving Time. They say it is confusing, doesn’t really save energy (electric bills increase slightly with DST), upsets airline and train schedules, may endanger health by throwing off body rhythms, and upsets the cows, to say nothing of the farmers! (Yep, they don’t like it at all!) It can make people late for church in April, or early in November. How embarrassing!
Daylight Saving Time was suggested by Benjamin Franklin; turns out he was just joking. Though it was established as law for the duration of both World Wars and during the energy crisis of the 1970s, it’s interesting to note that it did not become national law until 1966, when Congress passed the Uniform Time Act. But the act is not binding; states can, and do, opt out, as California is trying to do right now.
All this makes perfect sense to me in April: it takes almost a week to acclimate. But in November? Not so much. That delicious extra Sunday hour is soooo seductive.
So here’s to that golden hour: May you gratefully enjoy it any way you choose. (And try not think about having to give it back next spring!)