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Sitting on the front porch one steamy evening, I was enjoying the flight of the hummingbirds that were visiting my feeders just before nightfall. They seemed to get very active, almost in a frenzy, as they fed on the sugar water concoction I prepared for them.
Don't get me wrong, even as the daylight begins to disappear, the temperature outside is quite warm and humid even for mid-July. Yet I wanted to hold onto the last light of the day. I miss this terribly when fall comes and chases us indoors with darkness at 4 p.m.
There has been much talk and discussion about our federal lawmakers considering a bill to do away with daylight saving time. The issue passed the House but has stalled in the Senate as of this writing.
I've heard many of the arguments on both sides of the ticking clock. Some, like myself, would be happy to see the current changing of the clocks go away.
I love the idea of more daylight in the evening hours of fall and winter. I could spend more time around the fire-pit or simply sitting on the porch even if it means donning a winter jacket. I could watch the deer and turkeys wander the yard before bedtime.
For a majority of senior citizens, the early descending darkness that begins in October forces them inside as many do not enjoy driving at night. It's a fact that as we age our eyesight falters a bit especially in dim settings. Driving in the dark can be a challenge if not frightening. This fact alone cuts into social interaction of older drivers.
Then there is the argument that doing away with daylight saving time would mean children would be going to school or waiting for school buses in the dark. I believe there are already high school students waiting for buses before daybreak. That's because classes begin before 8 a.m. Younger students would not be standing at dark bus stops nor should they be there unsupervised.
There are medical experts who claim that the turning back and forth of our clocks, meaning our internal clocks, is harmful. One source suggests it results in depression. Studies have shown there are more traffic accidents attributed to the time changes.
Before the final vote, perhaps lawmakers should consult with residents of Arizona, Hawaii, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. They do not embrace daylight saving time. Maybe they could shed a better light on the subject.
Heather Ziegler can be reached via email at hziegler@theintelligencer.net.