In two weeks we have the artificial shift in daylight started
some years 50 + years ago in earnest when it was mandated nationwide by the US
government. It was 1960 to be exact. The idea dates back to the late 1880’s
when the Canadian and United States railroads instated standard times and time
zones so they could manage train schedules.
In 2007 daylight saving was
extended, now it goes from the 2nd weekend of March to the first
weekend in November. The main idea, to
save energy. I’ve read many articles, editorials
over the years that DST does nothing to converse energy, yet it remains a very
popular shift in the minds and hearts of many.
I love LIGHT, for me it’s all about having the extra light
in the day to enjoy all the things one can enjoy with extra hours of light.
Even in my days of commuting, driving home after work during DST was always
better than having to commute in Atlanta in the dark.
Maddie and Morgan also love DST, they get an extra walk and
it’s still light. I won’t take them very far when its dark out, I’m so happy
that the community where I live is very well lit at night. This year, the week
that DST begins in March, our nephew, Rogelio IV will be here in Jacksonville. He is staying with Ana and Parker for a week
during his spring break from college in Philadelphia. It will be so nice to
have him so close and see him for a week, will be in “tourist mode” for sure.
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| Roger 4 and Tia Elena |
DST also shifts the time difference between Panama and US
and also between Ghana and US. Those are the two countries where I get
consistent text messages and updates and being aware of the time difference is
always a plus.
As time progresses this year, as days go by, I’m getting
closer and closer to my 6th decade in life, I still an amazed by
this some days. Especially on days when
I feel 18 all over again riding my bike at the beach. In October of this year, I will be SIX ZERO.
My big crazy idea for celebrating the big 60 was to
hike and attempt to summit Mount
Kilimanjaro. I followed my dear friend, Jenell Vollmer a few years back when
she prepared and trained and actually made the summit of the mighty mountain in
Tanzania at 19,000 feet in elevation. I will never ever forget Jenell
describing the sky to me when she reached the summit in September of 2015. Her description of the undulating night sky, the sea of stars, the vastness, the expanse, it is a
conversation I will never forget.
My excuse for not doing this I could not convince anyone to
go with me. I asked my siblings Toby and Carlos and both told me no. My nephew, Jaime, said he would consider, he
is busy starting a Master’s program and getting on with his awesome wonderful
adult life. I can definitely watch the
Nat Geo videos on this, there are many on YOUTUBE. The Volcan Baru summit in Panama is at 11,000 feet, maybe I can start there.
My next crazy idea, I would like to learn how to LUGE. After watching all the athletes in the skeleton,
the luge and the bobsleds, at the Winter Olympics, I would love to try the luge
just once. I found 3 places in the US where you can sign up for a day class and
at the end you get to luge on the “bunny run’ where the top speeds you can
reach: 30 MPH. There are three winter
sport complexes with the tracks, in Michigan, Utah and New York. Hmmmm will see abou this.
My not so crazy idea, I’ve always wanted to visit the Wright
Brothers National Memorial in North Carolina. Last time I checked Kill Devil
Hills, NC.
is about 630 miles from Jacksonville. Certainly would make
for an interesting road trip, going up the Atlantic Coast, visiting Savannah,
Charleston, Myrtle Beach, the Outer Banks.
There’s even a Jacksonville, North Carolina on the way.
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| Road Trip |
Another not so crazy idea, overnight camping on the San Blas
Islands in Panama. I may be able to do this sometime this year, when I visit
Panama. I need to make plans. My cousin
Danny says he has all the camping equipment, basically tents and lots of
coolers.
So why all the rambling and excitement about plans, plans.
I’m looking forward to seeing Roger 4 in two weeks. Then in April I get to see
JoAnn in Brooklyn for a few days. In May
I go to Ghana, that is always an exciting adventure and in June a dear friend
is getting married outside of Atlanta in the Blueridge Mountains. And maybe in October, North Carolina.
One day at a time ! The anticipation is certainly part of the enjoyment !
