How can we already be in March? I wrote on New Year’s Eve that in 2024 I would write more about our Retirement “Wanderings.” Well, the good thing, I guess, is we haven’t wandered much because it’s been cold and winter, but my sights are set on things to do in Spring and Summer. The Fisherman is readying the boat, and I’m also ready for having the ability to spontaneously drive to the coast for breakfast on any random weekday morning. I’ve never really had a summer in my adult life because of the professions I was in. In Radio, back in the “Old Days” we were out and about doing broadcasts every weekend from summer events and festivals and then I moved into a position at an event facility where we produced our own summer event so having a summer like everyone else will be new to me this year and I cannot wait. Equally, the build-up towards the event all spring won’t be something occupying my brain anymore and I welcome that.
This past weekend was the time when we move the clocks ahead by one hour for Daylight Savings Time, “Springing Forward” and I was thinking a lot about it because again it’s been in the news about how we may do away with Daylight Savings Time and changing our clocks twice a year. What surprised me was how I was feeling sentimental about it all and possibly doing away with the change. What? Why was I feeling nostalgic about it? I’ve never loved losing an hour of sleep in the Spring, and on the opposite side, I relished getting that extra hour of sleep on that one weekend in the Fall. Why was this idea of someday ending all the clock changing bothering me? All I could come up with is it must be a matter of aging, getting older, and that “Old Person” thing of “Everything is changing from how it used to be!” Well yeah, that’s life. Things change. But really? I’m getting choked-up over ending Daylight Savings Time? Then I started really examining what was going through my mind. Hold on a moment: I’m making bread and I need to check if it’s ready to go in the oven. I’ll be right back. (Life of a retired person….bread-making!”) Nope, it’s not quite ready yet. Back to writing.
I think the issue comes down to many imprinted thoughts/memories about Daylight Savings Time. My Mom always made somewhat of a big deal over changing the clocks, and as a kid, I wanted to help do it, so I guess there’s a “Mom Memory” there. Then I always identified “Springing Forward” as that signal that Spring/Summer doing things outside in the evening was upon us. It was kind of the kick-off of better weather, etc. You went all winter and then thought about “that weekend” when we go forward an hour and we kick things off for Spring and Summer. Soon the lawns will need to be mowed, we’ll plant flowers, gardens, as kids it meant more time to ride bikes and be outside. There are fond memories of it.
The Fall change back an hour also marked kind of the kick-off of holiday, warm-and-cozy things. It meant it gets dark earlier, the holidays are around the corner, and the cooler weather is on the way. Fall if my favorite time of year and this “Fall Back” weekend with the clocks just added to that. Overall, it occurred to me that in my life, this time-change weekends held some tradition, some significance. It never occurred to me we would ever change it. It was just something we did forever, right?
Alas, like so much, not changing time is another way things change with time. Deep, huh? More and more I’m seeing how, like so many who came before me, and like what will happen with those coming after me, there’s a lot we have to adapt to and accept as we age: The world as we’ve known it, is moving along and advancing. We have to learn to deal with the changes.
I’ve been reading a lot lately about generational differences and with my former job before retiring, I did a lot of training on “Generational Marketing”: the whole Boomers, versus, Gen X, Millennials, Gen Z, etc. and who is right, who is to blame, who is clueless, etc. Yawn—Blah-de-blah-blah. That’s how I feel about it because, I do not believe it’s anything new. I firmly maintain what my Mother and her mother believed: This difference in viewpoints between the generations has been going on forever and will continue. It’s human nature and life. When you’re young, you’re going to roll your eyes and sigh with exasperation at what the “Old People” say and believe and the “Old People” will yell “Get off of my lawn!” and wonder why those “Young kids” just don’t get it. Well, I recall rolling my eyes and sighing when I was young, and then later, when I got older, I cringed at the truly stupid things I used to say and mouth-off about, thinking, “Dang, I was so dumb. I cannot believe I ever spouted those things!” I also had moments of “Damn it! Mom WAS right!” or some other adult was right about the thing they warned me about when they said, “You just wait, here’s how this is going to turn out. You have been warned.” Now that I’m older, I understand why the “Old People” always want to offer their advice and thoughts. You live long enough and you see the patterns. You KNOW how it’s going to play-out because you’ve seen it or lived it, and you want to save the younger ones. Well, you know what? You CAN’T save them. They will never believe you just like YOU didn’t believe the “Old Folks” who came before you. It’s just human nature and life. They have to go through it to see it. They will be the “Old Folks” someday and they will understand, For now, just be cool and save your breath.
Speaking of things changing: I just saw a headline on TV that says the Green Bay Packers just released one of our favorite players, Aaron Jones, because they also just signed a new Running Back, Josh Jacobs. We are a BIG Cheesehead household. We’re Green Bay Shareholders (only team in the NFL where the fans can own shares.) The Fisherman will NOT be happy to see Jones leaving. He LOVES him. I maintain it is the kiss of death for a player on the Packers if we get that player’s jersey, autographed helmet, etc., It has happened over and over. Sorry Aaron Jones! We have your jersey. The curse has hit you, man! See…….things changing with time.
Speaking of time: It’s time to check the bread and it’s time for me to write more often. I will!
Observations on getting used to being one of those gray-haired retired people 