Most of the United States changed to Daylight Savings Time on Sunday. I have to admit that I hate losing the hour of sleep. I mean, it’s not like I’m super well-rested most of the time anyway. Losing the hour usually takes me a few days to re-acclimate. This year will be worse because I have some travel across time zones a few days after the time change. So, basically, my body will have no idea what time it really is.

But there is a silver lining in the time change. I’ll get an extra hour of light each evening. The sun will rise a bit later each morning, but the sun will no longer be setting as I commute home each evening. That will open up at least an hour each evening before darkness falls.

So what can I do:

• Small outdoor chores, like taking out the trash or recycling or turning the compost heap.
• Extra long walks for the  world’s most spoiled dog.
• Outdoor exercise, like a walk or a run or just skipping rope.
• Because I walk most places, the extra light makes it easier to run errands.
• Shaking out or beating rugs.
• Washing windows.

The extra light is the first real sign that spring is on its way and that it’s time to begin to turn our focus to the great outdoors.