It's Time to Fall Back! Unless You're in Arizona!

Last night, while most of the country was wrapping up their Halloween fun, putting away the candy, and trying to convince the kids they'd had enough sugar for one night, there was one more thing to remember before heading off to bed.

Turn those clocks back!

After all, nobody wants to show up an hour early for Sunday church, breakfast, or whatever else they have planned. Although, come to think of it, showing up an hour early for breakfast might not be such a bad thing!

Meanwhile, here in Arizona, we had a whole different plan.

Absolutely nothing!

That's right! While everybody else was busy falling back, we just kept right on going. No resetting clocks, no figuring out what time it really is, and no standing in the kitchen trying to remember how to change the clock on the microwave.

Heck, I don't think anybody knows how to change that microwave clock without digging out the instruction manual anyway!

Arizona Has Its Own Ideas About Time

Most of Arizona decided a long time ago that changing the clocks twice a year wasn't worth the trouble.

And when you think about it, we've already got enough sunshine out here to last us a lifetime. Why would we need to save any more daylight?

The sun comes up when it comes up, goes down when it goes down, and the cactus doesn't seem particularly concerned about any of it.

I think those cactus have the right idea. Just stretch out those arms, enjoy the morning sunshine, and let the rest of the country worry about what time it is.

Of course, there's always a little catch.

Arizona stays on Mountain Standard Time year-round, except for the Navajo Nation, which does observe daylight saving time.

And if you're traveling like Breezie and I do, things can get a little interesting.

For part of the year, Arizona and California have the same time. Then November rolls around, California turns its clocks back, and suddenly Arizona is an hour ahead.

You can cross a state line and find yourself wondering whether you're early, late, or just plain confused!

And don't even get me started on trying to remember what time it is back East when you want to call somebody.

An Extra Hour of Sleep? Not So Fast!

Now, everybody talks about getting that extra hour of sleep when the clocks fall back.

But I've got a question.

Does anybody actually get that extra hour?

Because I'm pretty sure the cats and dogs across America didn't get the memo.

Their stomachs don't run on daylight saving time!

If breakfast was at six yesterday, you can bet your bottom dollar they're going to be standing there at five this morning, wondering why their humans have suddenly become so unreliable.

And believe me, Silver doesn't need a clock to tell him when it's time to wake us up!

Sometimes Simple Is Better

You know, there's something kind of nice about living somewhere that doesn't feel the need to mess with time twice a year.

We spend so much of our lives watching clocks, keeping schedules, and worrying about whether we're running early or late.

But out here in the Arizona desert, the sun doesn't care what the clock says.

The mountains don't care.

And those old saguaros have been standing out there for generations without ever needing to change a single thing.

Maybe there's a little lesson in that.

Life isn't always about what time it is. Sometimes it's about what we do with the time we're given.

So whether you gained an hour last night or, like us here in Arizona, didn't gain a darn thing, I hope you find a little time today to enjoy something that makes you happy.

Have that extra cup of coffee. Sit outside and watch the sunrise. Spend a little time with someone you love.

Because no matter where we live or what our clocks say, we're all sharing the same beautiful gift of another day.

And that's something worth smiling about!

Happy Sunday, everybody!

Now I'm curious. Did you remember to turn your clocks back last night, or are you one of those lucky folks who doesn't have to worry about it?

Finius...And Breezie...and a content Silver