In 1989 Cher had a huge hit called “If I Could Turn Back Time.” It was about a lost love, but for me the title would always churn the neurons in my brain and lead me to think of Daylight Savings Time. This weekend it is the time of the season when we mumble the phrase “Spring forward, Fall back.” The result is that in the beginning of April and lasting until November the days stay lighter for longer. During the colder fall and winter months, when most of us stay inside for the warmth, darkness comes earlier.

Adding to the confusion of the necessity of changing our time pieces twice a year, Hawaii and parts of Arizona stay on standard time all year round. So, if you were travelling in Arizona, I wonder how you would know what the correct time was. Do they have signs on the roads? If not, maybe they could use the device of the old Burma Shave signs. A series of closely placed signs might say, “Don’t Be in shock, but in this part of Arizona, No need to change your clock.”

For as long as I can remember twice a year, we had to adjust any and all clocks, watches and devices that displayed the time. It was a reminder that either spring or fall was on its way.

Many civilizations had methods to adjust time during the year. But most historians credit Ben Franklin for encouraging the two changes we perform in America. While in France as an envoy of the United States, Franklin said, “early to bed early to rise makes a man healthy, wealthy and wise.” He advocated adjusting clocks so that Parisians would get up before sunrise. The result was citizens used less candles at night.

Daylight Saving Time first clocked into the United States during World War 1. Known as the Standard Time Act it added more daylight hours to conserve energy.

Daylight Saving Time was adopted in the United States in 1974, though some areas had been observing it for decades. The word spread that it was done to help farmers. However, most farmers were against it because it altered the feeding and milking schedules of their animals.

We might not have to worry about changing our clocks someday. The Senate unanimously approved the Sunshine Protection Act which makes Daylight Saving Time permanent. The House of Representatives still has not addressed the issue. 

If the Sunshine Protection Act is ever approved by the House and the President puts his “John Hancock” on it, we will not have to bother adjusting our clocks. But that depends on the devices you use to tell time. Cable boxes and cell phones will remotely disable their programmed time adjustment. However, some pieces of equipment, not connected to Wi-Fi, might still have to be manually adjusted to maintain Daylight Saving Time.

So, as of now we will still have to adjust our clocks twice a year. Most of us check the calendar or await the evening newscast to let us know when to adjust our clocks. I have noticed another indicator that Daylight Saving Time is coming to an end. I have noticed the invasion of ladybugs around my house. It happens around this time each year. 

Whether we change the clocks forward or back, I must admit for two or three days I often contemplate if it’s darker or lighter. Also, I obsessively check my digital devices and appliances that require manual time changing. Maybe it is “time” I put this yearly anxiety to bed and move to Hawaii. 

Hudson Cooper is a resident of Sullivan County, a writer, comedian and actor.