Calling Time
By Rhonda S.
@misunderstood_zombie (8142)
United States
January 3, 2018 8:08pm CST
When I was a kid, we didn't have smart phones, computers or other digital devices (I'm so glad we do now), so when the power went out and we didn't know what time it was, we called time.
Not only did it give the correct time, but the date and the temperature plus an extremely brief weather update.
Recently, I decided to call the number (817-844-any four digits added for the last four numbers) to see if it still works. It's still around and still gives the same info. For years, it was sponsored by Fort Worth National Bank, but now it's changed.
Have you ever called time?
The picture is mine of Little Bear and Dodger (or Dodger's brother Jimmy. Dodger and Jimmy looked exactly the same).
24 people like this
25 responses
@arthurchappell (44998)
• Preston, England
4 Jan 18
@jaboUK I was curious so just rang it, on 123 - yes, we still have TIM, the speaking clock
4 people like this
@jaboUK (64354)
• United Kingdom
4 Jan 18
@arthurchappell That's interesting to know.
4 people like this
@misunderstood_zombie (8142)
• United States
5 Jan 18
Thank you. The speaking clock, that sounds like the title of a book, but I guess it was the same thing only a different title.
2 people like this
@FourWalls (68042)
• United States
4 Jan 18
Yeah, I called time once upon a time. Now I don’t bother because when I pick my cell phone up, it tells me the time.
4 people like this
@misunderstood_zombie (8142)
• United States
6 Jan 18
The same for me, I just called it as a fluke.
1 person likes this
@scarlet_woman (23463)
• United States
4 Jan 18
yup.came in handy during power outages.
3 people like this
@misunderstood_zombie (8142)
• United States
5 Jan 18
As a kid, I loved to call it.
1 person likes this
@toniganzon (72281)
• Philippines
4 Jan 18
We never have that in here so didn't know about calling time until you made this post.
Back when I was a kid we didn't have computers, the internet, smartphones, cables, and even telephones! When the power was out, we usually play games outside with our cousins and we would have lots of fun under the moonlight.
3 people like this
@misunderstood_zombie (8142)
• United States
5 Jan 18
I played outside alot at night in summers. You're right, it was fun under the moonlight.
1 person likes this
@misunderstood_zombie (8142)
• United States
5 Jan 18
I guess this calling time was a world wide feature. I love this place--it really make the world seem a bit smaller, peoplewise. I hope that makes sense.
1 person likes this
@JohnRoberts (109846)
• Los Angeles, California
4 Jan 18
I used to call time to sync things up to exact time.
3 people like this
@misunderstood_zombie (8142)
• United States
5 Jan 18
That would definitely be a good use for it. I'm sure that's what we did after the power came back on.
1 person likes this
@hereandthere (45645)
• Philippines
4 Jan 18
we don't have that. if the power went out, our new landline would die, too. so unlike before when you can use the phone to call the electric company, or your neighbors, relatives, friends to chat the boredom away.
2 people like this
@hereandthere (45645)
• Philippines
6 Jan 18
@misunderstood_zombie i hate this new landline so much i still haven't memorized the number
1 person likes this
@misunderstood_zombie (8142)
• United States
5 Jan 18
This is so true, and I might still have a true landline, but they add so many taxes that it turns into a ridiculous price.
1 person likes this
@nanette64 (20364)
• Fairfield, Texas
4 Jan 18
I have battery-operated clocks @misunderstood_zombie so I don't need the fancy stuff.
2 people like this
@misunderstood_zombie (8142)
• United States
5 Jan 18
Battery clocks are a good idea.
1 person likes this
@just4him (317089)
• Green Bay, Wisconsin
6 Jan 18
@misunderstood_zombie Maybe it's comforting to them to know it's there.
@misunderstood_zombie (8142)
• United States
5 Jan 18
I was surprised also, but some people still use it, apparently.
1 person likes this
@andriaperry (116936)
• Anniston, Alabama
4 Jan 18
Oh! I remember doing that too. I wonder what the number is for our area.
2 people like this
@misunderstood_zombie (8142)
• United States
5 Jan 18
Somehow, I just remember our number, probably because I didn't have to remember the last four.
@Hannihar (130218)
• Israel
7 Jan 18
@misunderstood_zombie
They are so adorable. I thought one looked like a lab. I had a lab and loved her so much. What is a blue healer? That is one I have never heard of.
1 person likes this
@misunderstood_zombie (8142)
• United States
7 Jan 18
@Hannihar Thank you. It's an Australian cattle dog, from what I read anyway.
@misunderstood_zombie (8142)
• United States
5 Jan 18
Thank you. They are siblings, and looks like the mother and one looks like the dad--they are yellow lab, chow, and blue healer.
@FayeHazel (40243)
• United States
4 Jan 18
No, I have never heard of such a thing, though come to think on it, someone on a TV Show I was watching did it once... I wondered about that. I don't know what's better - the fact that it still works, or that you can put any 4 numbers
2 people like this
@FayeHazel (40243)
• United States
8 Jan 18
@misunderstood_zombie Lol! I tried 0000 and it worked! That is funny though
1 person likes this
@misunderstood_zombie (8142)
• United States
5 Jan 18
When I was a kid, I loved the four number combos, and would try many, many numbers to find one that wouldn't go to time, but it always did.
1 person likes this
@misunderstood_zombie (8142)
• United States
5 Jan 18
Yes, of course, it would be silly to call from your smart phone.
Though, that's what I did to check and see if it was still there.
Though, that's what I did to check and see if it was still there.
@kavitaryan03 (47)
•
4 Jan 18
I never did that i dnt know about this i got to know it now.
Recalling time of childhood i had lots of friends to play or i would play Cricket with my Elder bother
2 people like this
@misunderstood_zombie (8142)
• United States
5 Jan 18
I'm glad you have fond memories of your childhood.
@misunderstood_zombie (8142)
• United States
12 Jan 18
I was surprised it was still around, but some people still use it apparently.
1 person likes this
@rebelann (112879)
• El Paso, Texas
6 Jan 18
I remember wishing I had one of those phones like those on Hart to Hart @misunderstood_zombie remember that show?
1 person likes this
@misunderstood_zombie (8142)
• United States
6 Jan 18
Thank you. I'm still amazed that smart phones exist. It's my dream come true as a kid watching the Jetsons.
1 person likes this
@misunderstood_zombie (8142)
• United States
6 Jan 18
@rebelann Yes, but I never really watched it.
1 person likes this
@BelleStarr (61102)
• United States
5 Jan 18
No, I have never even heard of it, I just wear a watch.
1 person likes this
@BelleStarr (61102)
• United States
6 Jan 18
@misunderstood_zombie not mine I have a flex 2 and my time
1 person likes this
@misunderstood_zombie (8142)
• United States
6 Jan 18
I haven't worn a watch in years and years, but now with my fitbit, it's like wearing a watch all over again.
1 person likes this
@cahaya1983 (11116)
• Malaysia
12 Jan 18
That is new to me, I've never heard of time. I'm not sure we have that service here but that is very interesting.
1 person likes this
@misunderstood_zombie (8142)
• United States
12 Jan 18
Yes, I think it's only in some areas, I'm sure it will be a thing of the past one day soon.
1 person likes this
@kobesbuddy (78882)
• East Tawas, Michigan
4 Jan 18
Adorable dogs, such a sweet picture. Yes, I use to call the time on our telephone, before all these modern devices came into being.
1 person likes this
@kobesbuddy (78882)
• East Tawas, Michigan
6 Jan 18
@misunderstood_zombie I like technology, but it's constantly changing, so I can't keep up.
1 person likes this
@misunderstood_zombie (8142)
• United States
6 Jan 18
Thank you. I love technology, it sure makes life so much easier.
1 person likes this
@misunderstood_zombie (8142)
• United States
6 Jan 18
@kobesbuddy That's true. I've kept up just enough to know somewhat what I'm doing but eventually I'll lag behind. That's when I'll turn to my grandchildren.
1 person likes this
