Sunset is at 4:27 pm here today. 
Well, I got up an hour earlier than I needed. Forgot to change the bedroom clock. No wonder I didn’t hear my cell alarm first. I can use this hour before leaving for an appt.
@lookingforward – this hysterically funny video is for you and everyone else who made that mistake or just wants a good laugh:
Not sure I can link to youtube, so google Daylight Saving funny video and that should do it. There are two of them, the first is the one for Fall.
@garland, we are allowed to link to youtube.
Oh, thanks. Not sure why I thought that. Here it is:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k4EUTMPuvHo
And here’s the sequel:
@garland, those were funny. I liked the first one the best.
My kids’ HS Nordic ski team rollerskied after school in the dark on streets around the school. Scared the heck out of me — I thought the coach was far too cavalier about the safety of the kids. Plastered my kid’s helmet, boots, and poles with reflective tape.
I walk my dog every morning at 6am and it has been extremely dark the last few weeks, so I was very happy for the change. I live in California and the time change (although just a recommendation) is on the ballot.
I hate hate hate the change back to standard time.
I do a few things to cope with the early dark days. I make sure I walk every day regardless of how horrid the weather is (helps when you have dogs that need walking.) I take an early afternoon yoga class twice a week and play indoor tennis every Monday. And every day at 4p I have a lovely cup of milk tea.
My dogs have been begging to be fed their dinner at 2:30. Today I escaped by leaving early for a drs appt., so no food for them until I got home a bit after 4. Will take several days to get them adjusted.
The fall switch never bothers me. Sunset at 5:30 tonight and I didn’t even notice. But I did wake up on my own at 7:00 without an alarm, thanks to some morning light. I guess I’m the rare type who prefers standard time.
It’s worse when it’s pouring rain outside. Dark, cold, gloomy, and a mess in rush hour traffic getting home.
My sister lives in Sweden and she loves this time of year. Sure, it gets dark early but the Swedes have traditionally placed candles or lamps on their window sills and the early evening can really glow. Window sills are usually a hefty width to allow this.
We could do something similar and have a table by the window with a timer operated light so the darkness is greeted by light each evening. Those days are getting shorter anyway, it could be nice to embrace it a bit.
I think the loss of DST makes it hit harder too because it is so abrupt. Winter is coming but it could be more of a soft fade in.
@greenwitch I like the idea you have shared. I think I am going to get some pretty flameless candles that I will turn on every evening.
Do yourself a favor and get a set that comes with a remote. So easy!
@greenwitch I do the same. I have a lamp in our front window that is on a timer. It’s nice not coming home in the early evening to a dark house. I also have a battery operated pillar candle on my mantle that comes on in the evening. I didn’t even know it had this feature until I noticed it came on all by itself the first night after I got it!
I do plug in candles in my front windows (9) right after Thanksgiving and usually through February. It IS nice, but that also equates “winter” to me!
A lot of those candles have a “6 hours on, 18 hours off” button and you just set it once and it goes on from there.
My Xmas wreath does the same, which is great since it will have lights that are independent from all the other lights.
Many of the fake candles have a timer. You set it, and the candle remains lit for a specific time period (often set by the manufacturer), then comes on again at the same time the next day.
I have some that have a “wiggling” flame, and when placed inside a glass container, actually look almost real. The flames reflect on the walls (I use them in wall sconces), and give a beautiful, cozy ambiance to the room. I love them.
Has anyone gotten one of those sunlight wake up clocks? The ones that mimic sunrise in the morning to help you wake up like summertime? I don’t know what they are called. If so have you found it to be really helpful?
Also I don’t feel as energized and lively during these shorter days? What type of things do you do in winter to feel more lively? (especially Jan and Feb) I am thinking of planning a trip to somewhere sunny and warm possibly end of January or in February.
^^The trip sounds wonderful of course, but I think it would only make me feel “lively” while I was gone! The minute I got back home to winter - the unlively would be back!
I think you have to make an effort to change your routine in the winter to be less sedentary - it’s easy to come home from work (if you work) maybe make a little dinner and then plop.
Exercise of course is a good thing - at home or a gym.
Instead of saving house cleaning for the weekend do a room a night during the week- and free up cleaning on the weekend!
Tell yourself you can’t turn on the tv until 8pm or whatever to limit your time sitting and staring - and getting sleepy!