Time and Temperature

I was reading on the bus this morning and the character in my book started to use a wind up alarm clock with glow in the dark hands to help him get up in the morning. The image of that alarm clock sent me on a thought train back to my childhood.

My brother had an analog alarm clock with glowy hands. The act of winding an analog clock reminded me of something I did a lot in my childhood, but no longer holds a purpose for me. I used to call "time and temperature."

A local bank had a phone line you could call and an automated recording would tell you the current time and temperature. It was a necessity after power failures or re-setting all the clocks at daylight savings. In a pre-cell phone world how else would you figure it out?

I knew the phone number for time and temperature by heart. It was one of two numbers I was allowed to call without permission. The other being my Grandma's. Plus, I didn't have to do the talking when I called t&t. Sometimes I called just because I could. Sometimes I would speak along with the voice "EST Bank time 10:37, temperature 61" in my best moviefone-like voice.

I sat on the bus today trying to remember that phone number. Like so many things from my childhood, it was gone. It's been over 10 years now since I've been a permanent resident in my home town. Living 673 miles away has not helped any either. I don't have daily reminders of little things like street names and phone numbers. The automated message plays in my head but the phone number is gone.

323-....
323-11..

I sent a text to my sister, figuring I'd have to actually call to explain what I was talking about.

8:35am Haddy: Do you remember the phone number for est bank time & temp?
8:36am Em: 3238811
8:37am Em: Without a moments hesitation
8:37am Haddy: Thanks couldn't remember. Not necessary. Just thought of it.
8:43am Em: Est bank time 833. Temperature zero. YES NO SCHOOL. Then hang up and call the school board and pray u didn't get a real person

Apparently Em knew exactly what was on my mind and she herself used the line for more than just setting clocks.

I dialed the number. It still works. It's a little different. The bank's name has changed and there's more of a sales pitch at the beginning than I remember, but time and temp is still kicking. The next time I called, the line was sponsored by a cable provider. I guess even banks gotta sell out these days.

Next time you're not sure what time it is in Ohio or if you wanna know if my sister is wearing flip flops or boots. Call it. It's fun.

(440)323-8811

Nov. 4, 2008

I voted.