Fall Forward,Spring Back

Fall Forward, Spring Back

It was the first Friday in November- Daylight Saving Time ended that weekend. " Remember to set your clocks back an our on Saturday night, " said Nola's teacher. " Spring forward, fall back. "

Nola didn't pay much attention. At eight years old, she'd been late so many times, she figured she'd go on that way forever. She'd be late for her first job, her college graduation, her wedding. " And if you like parades, " he added, " don't forget the one this Sunday morning at ten o'clock. "

Nola had never been to the fall parade. That night at dinner, she asked her mom if they could go. " I won't be here Sunday, " Mom reminded her, “ but I'll bet Pablo could take you. " Pablo was Nola's big brother, sixteen and always sleepy. He would be in charge while their mom was away. " Don't forget, " Mom said. “ Daylight Saving Time ends this weekend. "

" I don't really get it, " Nola confessed. " Are we actually saving daylight or just moving it around?" Nola's mom smiled. “ Moving it around, " she said. “ In November, we set our clocks back an hour. So the Sun rises earlier in the morning-or seems to-and sets earlier in the evening. In March, we do just the opposite and the Sun sets later. " " Crazy stuff, " Pablo yawned.

Saturday morning, their mom kissed them both goodbye and drove to the airport. That night as Nola got in bed, she thought back to her teacher's words: “ Spring forward, fall back. " Or was it " Fall forward, spring back" ? " Fall forward" sounded better, so she set her clock forward an hour. Just like that, it was past her bedtime. She was late again. " Time, " Nola sighed, “ is not my friend. "