Gathering is Good

December 31, 2024. Sunset 5:01 PM. San Francisco, CA.

Visitors from across the street, across town and across the Bay join us for this last sunset of the year. Gathering is good.

“And the other day”

December 30, 2024. Sunset 4:57 PM. Virginia Beach, VA.

- Ginger (my niece) and Jack

What happened last year as the year changed over

December 30, 2024 Bisan Owda's passionate and eloquent plea and outrage reminded me of Last New Year's Eve and how much worse it has become--
I'm reposting from New Year's Eve last year and what had started as the usual- head outside at midnight to listen to the change as we cross over the time line from one year to the next- as I realized that the honking was NOT a celebration but a protest.

And where are we now? So far beyond imagining that a procession of cars honking in the middle of the night could have any impact to the horrible reality on the ground now where the only thing people can rely on is the rising of the sun.

Happy Winter Solstice!

December 22, 2024

As our days into the light have begun to unravel before us, I am finding some small comfort in the fact of this inexorable progression. Especially as it stands in the face of greater and more outrageous visions and demands of upheaval on a daily basis here on the surface of the Earth.

As a child I was in love with fairy tales, oddly perhaps, favoring those of the Grimm brothers. One in particular has sprung to mind. If you are not familiar with the tale of The Fisherman and His Wife, I invite you to read it. It involves a fisherman, his wife and her insatiable need for power and a magical, talking fish.

Enjoy--

heading home

December 9, 2024. Sunset 4:40 PM. San Francisco, CA.

"GG Bridge and sunball"- Elisabeth Beaird and Richard Marriott

Solstice preview-- Something to lift your spirits a bit.

December 8, 2024.
This happens every year -- a string of 10 days where the sun set reaches and stays at its earliest time. So, in 2 days, the sun will begin setting later- squeezing out a bit more light with every passing evening. Not a moment too soon.
FYI- Here's a diagram of this seasonal dance up to and away from the Winter solstice in the northern hemisphere (at this latitude).

PS- if you'd like to know when this turnaround is happening where you live-- https://www.timeanddate.com/

Perpetual Darkness?

December 7, 2024.

This in from Joe-- a different kind of balance between light and dark-- If you ever long for the days of the unsetting sun-- this is the other side of the scale-- Entering a long dark period. NOW in "Utqiagvik, the largest city of the North Slope Borough in the U.S. state of Alaska

Gratitude

November 30, 2024. Sunset 4:51 PM. San Francisco, CA.

Ocean Beach -- our last night after being together for a week- It was not without drama but wonderful -- very grateful that we were able to be together like this.

all turkeys accounted for

Nov. 28, 2024. Sunset 4:51 PM. San Francisco, CA.

Just before sitting down to dinner. Thanksgiving with Lisa, Paul, Orion, Ash, Ben, Emily, Tony, Norman and me.
We've never been altogether like this before. I’m a little overwhelmed —
but in a good way.
Photo-- Ben Buford

November 16, 2024. Sunset 4:57 PM. Santa Cruz, CA.

"Sand like glass”.

- Thea

Super Beaver Moon

Nov. 15, 2024. Beaver Supermoon. Scarboro, ME.

"came up through the clouds so lucky to snag a shot with the iPhone – first one for watercolor study"
FYI about this supermoon
-- Wendy Chambers

Vigil into wake

November 6, 2024.

The one takeaway from yesterday's vigil that I am holding very close just now is the love and gratitude for friends: old and new, family: of blood and choice, that unfolded so unexpectedly during the course of the day yesterday. I love you all.

I was alone out there for only one of the hours in the middle of the day. Norman and our overnight guest sleepily got the day rolling. Otherwise, a few neighbors periodically checked in during the day. During the last hour and beyond into the evening, several people who I hadn't seen in decades came by. It was wonderful to see everyone, and I thank you for stopping by.

I share this account of the day not as a personal story but rather because it reminded me of how deep and long our connections run with each other in this life and what a blessing that can be and wanted to pass it on as something we might lean into. It's a light. Maybe very small at the moment but- still a light.

“Hope is being able to see that there is light despite all the darkness.” –Desmond Tutu

Eve of the Presidential election.

November 4, 2024.

Quiet before the storm. Taking a deep breath and holding it...

Election Invite--

Election Day- Every hour on the hour- Sunrise to Sunset.
November 2, 2024

People have been ringing bells for all kinds of reasons for 1000’s of years.

Whatever is on your mind, please join us for a day long bell ringing vigil (every hour on the hour between sunrise and sunset) in front of our home in the Sunset District of San Francisco.

We’ll serve hot beverages and keep each other company.

If you are interested in stopping by, please email me, and I will send our address to you.
Sunrise/sunset timetable for Nov 5, 2024

almost ended

October 27, 2024. Sunset 6:15 PM. Lands End Golden Gate National Recreation Area, San Francisco, CA.

(This) “was from Sunday … popped into Legion at 4 pm and (I didn’t even know the Mary Cassatt show was up as I’ve been in nyc) and then at 5:15 once we saw show and Legion closed we took a moody foggy virtually uninhabited walk. And Jeff is a good photographer. Quite mysterious and beautiful. (6:07 PM)”.
-Linda Dackman

the comet cometh

October 15, 2024. Scarborough, ME.

“The comet (c/2023 a3 tsuchinshan-atlas) last night! snagged a photo with the iphone. This (the comet) is just down the road from where we live”. - Wendy Chambers
Wow—nice catch Wendy!

Happy Equilux!!

September 25, 2024. Sunrise and Sunset 7:00 AM/PM. San Francisco, CA. Sunrise --- as the streetcar passes by the workers on the house a few doors away. These very patient people have been wanting to move into their house for months now. These workers are amazing- Sometimes it seems like they do and redo things that appear to be done already.

Sunset-- Tony, Matt and Kiki join the moment. Kiki seems to prefer Tony’s company at this time

teetering or balance?

SO- We have passed the 1st day of Autumn, sped through the Equinox and will briefly land on the Equilux (at this latitude) tomorrow 9/25. The actual day of EQUAL LIGHT AND DARKNESS when sunrise and sunset will both be at 7:00. To discover this momentary repose where you live, enter your location into the Sun/Moon/Space portion of this link.

photo credit: https://ourplnt.com

Ambient Bird with sfSOUND

& the bird ensembe at Live Oak Park, Berkeley, near the creek under the trees.

Monday 9/23-6pm . Afterwards, at sunset, Brenda Hutchinson will lead everyone in ringing bells (her Dailybell Project) celebrating the fall equinox. The musicians include: African grey parrot
Wendy Reid, violin
Brenda Hutchinson, long tube
Krys Bobrowski, gilsglas
Aurora Josephson, voice
Ron Heglin, tuba
David Samas, percussion
Kanoko Nishi-Smith, koto
Ben Davis,
Tom Dambly
Matt Ingalls, clarinet
Diane Grubbe, flute
Brendan Lai-Tong
John Ingle, saxophone

SPECIAL THANKS to these wonderful musicians, and also to Phil Perkins (location recording engineer) and Silvia Matheus (videographer) for documenting this event. Lulu and I are really looking forward to it.

Sunset with Invented Instruments

September 5, 2024. Sunset 7:31 PM. San Francisco, CA.
Thank you, Kathleen Maguire for your invitation to join in the Invented Instruments day at SFMOCA. What a wonderful group of artists and fun day of performances and interaction with the visitors. I wish I could have been there to celebrate with you all in person.

However, many thanks to my dear friend and fabulous musician, Jenny Holland for stepping up and ringing the sundown with everyone there at the end of the event. It looks like everyone had a great time that day.

Can we go home now?

August 31, 2024. Sunset 7:39 PM. San Francisco, CA.

Are we done with the loud bell, yet? Kiki looks ready to go home now, please.
Thanks Norman and Matt for holding down the fort.

12 pictures of the sun, each month, same place, same time

August 24, 2024. 12 pictures of the sun, each month, same place, same time.

Shenu Dissanayake. National Geographic Nature.
Thanks Joe! This is very cool. Mostly bogus, I think, but cool!

Tropical Lake Superior

August 24, 2024. Sunset 7:53 PM. Ironwood, MI.

Looking tropical over Lake Superior?
Thank you, Kathy

a peaceful looking start to a new day...

Would that it only could continue that way

August 20, 2024. Sunrise 6:55 AM. Irving, TX.
Sunrise today in Irving TX c/o my friend Leigh
-Joe P

Eyes of God

August 19, 2024. Sunset 7:54 PM.

"Eyes of God and some of those orange mountain shots were taken August 19, 2024 about 25 miles from El Malpais in Western New Mexico".
- Linda Dackman

If a bell rings in the forest...

August 15, 2024. Sunset 7:58 PM. Jefferson, NY. Thank you, Jackson and Nancy for baptizing that acetylene tank formerly used for welding into a sunset bell for the evening. I understand it has long resided there in the forest and that tonight was the first time it was employed to accompany the sun going down. Something to add to its resume.

Upcoming Meteor Showers

August 3, 2024

Here’s the calendar for the next year for both hemispheres with information about the fullness of the moon for each event.

Due to the frequency and visibility, one of the more popular showers is the upcoming Perseids. With 50-75 “shower members” per hour – it’s a cosmic fireworks show- Visible in the Northern Hemisphere, it will peak around the 12th or 13th of August.

Exchanging places in the sky

July 16, 2024. Sunset 8:24 PM. Brooklyn, NY. My friend Ching was visiting at sunset - so here we are hanging out the front window together- watching the moon rise while ringing the sun down.

the day after the assassination attempt

July 14, 2024. Sunset 8:25 PM. Brooklyn, NY.

Getting off the subway in time for the sunset after sitting in the 6B community garden, listening to Bill Buchen and Steve Gorn's LUMINOUS RAGAS performance there. Raga is “that which colors the mind”. Thank you for an unexpected and much needed respite.
Deepest condolences to the families of the murdered and wounded people in the crowd.

Geographic Horizon- the bird doesn't care

July 14, 2024. Sunset 8:16 PM. Monhegan Island, ME.

WOW!-- Thank you, Wendy.

Wendy's photo was taken at 7:52 PM-- the sun dropping down over the hill more than 20 minutes before crossing the horizon at the what would be the Earth's surface. Why the discrepancy?? The time of sunset is based on the Geographic horizon i.e. sea level. This does not include buildings, mountains or trees.

the bird doesn't care...– BH

upside down world

July 11, 2024. Sunset 8:25 PM. Washington, NC.

“Sunset…Washington NC…c/o IUP friend Inken”
- Joe P

Wow -This water is so still -- this is almost the same rightside up as upside down!

Diving Horses?

July 9, 2024. Sunset 8:26 PM. Atlantic City, NJ.

"Bayside" - Diane Ryan
This is so dramatic- all winding, snakey waterways- I would have never guessed this was Atlantic City.
(Does anyone else remember seeing the the diving horses???

Sailing Inside the Bermuda Triangle

July 3, 2024. Sunset 8:29 PM. Bermuda, North Atlantic Ocean.

"Sunset today from the Bermuda Triangle"
- Joe P

There is no evidence that mysterious disappearances occur with any greater frequency in the Bermuda Triangle than in any other large, well-traveled area of the ocean...

OK so-- Then what's up? It IS real…

Renai’s Solstice Movie

June 20, 2024. Sunset 8:30 PM. East River, NYC. Special thanks to Harvestworks and the wonderful group of interns working there this summer-- Jay Reinier, Grace Schmidhauser, Liam Schoenholt and especially to Renai Heath who documented and created this terrific video of our Solstice crossing on the 20th.

(Keep an eye out for that Strawberry Moon)

Strawberry moon rising over East River Sunset Solstice--

June 20. 2024. Sunset 8:30 PM. East River, NY.

Beautiful Strawberry moon rising over Brooklyn on the 20th, nice cool breeze and sprinkling of many little bells-- It was a magical moment.

Thank you everyone who came along for either or both rides across the East River to celebrate the sunset on the Solstice and the next day as well.

FYI- While the sunset is holding for 16 days at 8:30, the daylight has begun shrinking by several seconds a day-- thanks to the steadily, but later creeping sunrise. For those of us who are NOT early risers, it's pretty wonderful having the sunset at the same time for over 2 weeks.