I had the weird experience yesterday of living in two different time zones depending on what room I was in. In one room, it was afternoon, and in the other, before noon. It didn’t really matter, apparently, since it took me a while to realize that there were two different times in my house. I mean, I knew it was 12:30 in one room but immediately forgot what the time was. Fifteen minutes later, I went into the kitchen and there the time was 11:45. Figuring I’d misread the time in the other room, I went back and checked my phone again. Confused the heck out of me why I’d lost an hour in one room but not the other.
Then, of course, light dawned. Sheesh. Daylight saving time. Unlike my phone and computer, the stove and microwave don’t change the time automatically.
Neither does my body.
I never think the time change will affect me since I get up with the sun, but it does, mostly because bedtime comes an hour earlier (which really means an hour or two later since I’m not tired enough to fall asleep, so I toss and turn longer than if I had simply gone to bed an hour later).
I hope this moment of confusion isn’t indicative of what my old age will be like — a lot of confusion with (hopefully) a quick dawning of understanding.
Of course, if I’d looked at the calendar or continued my perusal of online articles, I would have been reminded, but I’ve been narrowing my focus to what is in my immediate surroundings.
And apparently, yesterday, what was in my immediate surrounding was two different time zones — MST and MDT.
I have been enjoying my narrowed focus. (Even though it’s an online activity, blogging is still a narrowed focus because what I see is the words in my mind being written in black and white.) It helps that the weather is nice so I can go outside to expand my horizons, but I’ve also been bringing my horizons inside. At least, I did on Saturday, which was the seventh anniversary of my buying this house.
The house anniversary is one of the few dates in my life I like to celebrate, and so does my next-door neighbor. (Apparently, I was an answer to her prayer for a good neighbor. Makes me feel special since I’ve never — to my knowledge — been the answer to anyone’s prayers.) To honor the occasion, she gave me these gorgeous roses!
She and a few other friends came to help me celebrate. It was nice that they couldn’t all come at once, so I was able to visit one on one or one on two which is best for me. I find more company than that causes me too much confusion, though unlike the time difference mentioned above, this isn’t age-related confusion (or whatever the problem with the time was) but simply the way I’ve always been.
My sister had asked what I wanted for a gift. Since I don’t need anything, I told her I’d like gifts for my friends. So she made me the most wonderful party favor kit, which was great on so many levels.
I had the fun of receiving the box of goodies, the fun of assembling the kit, and the fun of handing them out.
So, who needs a broader focus in life when one has family, friends, a reason to celebrate, and lovely hostess gifts to hand out!
I was proud of myself for cleaning up immediately afterward, so yesterday morning I woke to a clean house rather than a mess. Not that we left much of a mess, but I had to clear the table and do the dishes as well as finish the leftovers since I don’t like having cake and ice cream on hand. Though to be honest, I never have them on hand because if I do, they are too soon gobbled up, and neither of those treats treat me well.
So that catches us up on my news. I’ve been spending my blog time on topics other than me (though in a way, everything I write is about me or at least what I think), but there’s truly been nothing much going on in my life to write about.
Still, it’s been nice having this narrow focus even if it doesn’t give me a lot of fodder for blogging.
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Pat Bertram is the author of Grief: The Inside Story – A Guide to Surviving the Loss of a Loved One.
Bertram's Blog 
March 9, 2026 at 7:46 am
These activities, whether done daily or occasionally, bring us great joy and leave us feeling satisfied at the end of the day. Having good neighbors is also a blessing, and I can truly relate to that. After all, home is the ultimate destination – it means everything. We should spend quality time there and create wonderful memories.
March 9, 2026 at 8:16 am
For sure!
March 9, 2026 at 9:36 am
Day light savings time is a pain in my backside. I don’t do well with either switch. I just wish we had one time all year round. The trees don’t care what time of day it is nor the flowers, nor the birds. Why the heck should I except for doctor’s appointments. UGH!
March 9, 2026 at 1:42 pm
I know. UGH!
March 9, 2026 at 12:44 pm
How nice to have friends and neighbours who recognize how important your home is to you and are there to share in its annual celebration. I’m very much a home-body and recognize that our home is truly my sanctuary. Everything I do here is meant to enhance that.
As for the time dilemma, I can certainly sympathize. Re-setting all the clocks after the time changes has always been a headache. This year, however, after more than 70 years of twice-yearly time changes, yesterday’s switch to Daylight Saving Time is our last change!
In 2019 our BC provincial government took a poll and determined that more than 93% of the 220,000+ people surveyed preferred a move to permanent DST, but they had held off implementing it until the western US made the change, too, citing economic reasons. We’ve always been aligned with the time zones in WA, OR and CA, and their residents also indicated that they wish to make DST permanent, but unlike Canada where the provinces have the power of deciding, I gather the states must get Congress’ approval for any change, and they’re still waiting for that.
There’s never been problems negotiating the different east/west time zones within Canada, so I couldn’t see how different north/south ones would matter, and after seven years, I gather our government agreed and decided it was time to go it alone. No more clock changing! Yay! In November, when we would normally change back to standard time, we will simply change the name of our time zone from Pacific Daylight Saving Time to Pacific Time and carry on.
Finding yourself in two different time within your home reminds me a bit of the Haskell Public Library & Opera House that sits on the Canada-USA border in Vermont with a literal line on the floor marking where the countries meet within the building. It’s a fascinating situation.
March 9, 2026 at 1:49 pm
I’ve heard about that opera house! So cool. Actually, now that I think about it, wasn’t it featured in the last couple of Louise Penny books?
We’ll eventually go to permanent daylight-saving time, though I much prefer standard time. Either way, no one is asking me, so I’ll just have to deal with whatever happens.
And yes, it’s very nice to have friends and neighbors to celebrate with. It’s one of those serendipitous circumstances that came unasked with the house. I truly was blessed with this move.
March 9, 2026 at 2:18 pm
My husband would have preferred permanent standard time for extra light in the mornings instead of evenings, but like me, is just happy to see the end of the time changes.
And yes, the Haskell Library does appear in Louise Penny’s GREY WOLF and BLACK WOLF. Also, when she decided not to hold her book launch at the Kennedy Center because of what she calls ‘Trump’s coup’ there, she chose to end her book tour at the Haskell Library as a statement that we are still friends and allies, despite the changes orchestrated by the current administration.