Brendaren Farms - February 2, 2001 - by: Edwin Wallace
   

SUMA

As sure as Spring follows Winter the perennial discussion concerning the fate of this province's TIME is once again upon us. The same old arguments - utterly boring and totally predictable - are, as in the past, given importance way beyond the cleverness of their construction. However, this year, the majority vote for change among the Saskatchewan Urban Municipal Association (SUMA) members does create a different dynamic.

 

 

one time
policy

As usual, the arguments, between One Timers and Two Timers rage on; on coffee rows, at local meetings (Which were likely called for entirely different reasons!) and on the Internet. The One Timers defend the reason and stability of a one time concept, pointing out that seemingly more sophisticated parts of the continent envy our system. They are aware that the whole country is considering seriously the introduction of a one time policy.

 

 

makes
more time

On the other hand, the Two Timers - according to a totally unscientific, casual poll, conducted by this scribe - are mostly bald headed, middle aged, perpetually juvenile jocks, who have spent most of their lives selling themselves and their abilities for a wage. They have spent so much of the last 25 years watching the clock, that now, the sun can't move independently of their time pieces. They make the argument that a time change makes more time for baseball and tourism - even save power on street lights! But don't eat that one Elmer!

 

 

STOP!

OK, lets give them this; if somebody else controls when you can be here or there, and doing this or that, then of course the time you have to soak up Vitamin D is likely to be limited. But when these Saviors of the Sun tell me that farmers would benefit from additional lighted hours then I have to yell; STOP! They don't know nothin' 'bout what they talk. And I guess that lack of reason is the reason I don't give a hoot about whether there are one or two times or no time.

 

 

shadows fall straight North

Long ago I gave up working for The Man. Farming enforces it's own schedule. In the summer months we pretty well give up the clock completely. In the morning, the sun either lights enough or, later, warms enough, to do the job at hand. The middle of the day is about when shadows fall straight North. Breakfast time is self defined. Dinner is around the middle of the day and Evening is when we've had enough for one day. The sun eventually goes down, and we always hope that event, corresponds to getting that last bit done.