Aged and mellow, rich and warm, the gilded landscape nestled within the patchwork quilt November had wrapped about its shoulders, perhaps the last adoring embrace before Winter.

November is a month of beginnings and ends.  She is the gateway to the Holiday Season and hosts the conclusion of Daylight Saving’s Time (DST).  Both of which I adore.

This Sunday, November 6th, we turn our clocks back one hour and gain an hour of sleep – glorious, heavenly sleep.  Contrary to popular belief, Daylight Saving’s Time was never implemented to assist farmers.  In fact, many farmers railed against the change as it disrupted harvesting and milking schedules.  It also has nothing to do with school kids and bus stops.  The reason behind “Springing Ahead” and “Falling Back” lies squarely in the realm of economics and energy.  How terribly unromantic and utterly pragmatic.

It all started back in WWI, when Germany and Austria introduced a one hour clock shift in early Spring as a way to conserve energy for the war effort.  Several other European Nations adopted the change, and the United States jumped on board sometime in 1918 and dropped it shortly thereafter in 1919.  DST was re-instated during WWII and many states adopted the change for good, but there was little consistency in the timing and schedule.  Finally, in 1966 Congress passed the Uniform Time Act, although Arizona, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, and the U.S. Virgin Islands still remain on standard time.

Much research has been done and most studies show the energy savings is negligible at best.  Further still, studies have shown that DST has a negative effect on those suffering from Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD).

Plant of the Week

Mr. Bowling Ball Arborvitae

Soft, fine feathery needles form a perfect, sage-green ball without the need for pruning, shaping or shearing.  Prefers sun to partial shade and moist, well-drained soil.  Grows 24-26″ tall and 24-36″ wide.

“An extra yawn one morning in the springtime, an extra snooze one night in the autumn is all that we ask in return for dazzling gifts.  We borrow an hour one night in April; we pay it back with golden interest five months later.”

-Sir Winston Churchill

Best wishes,

Kim Sweeney