Sledding into the Sunset

December 27, 2019. Sunset 4:19 PM.
Edmonton, Alberta. Canada.

Greetings from very cold Edmonton Alberta where sunrise is around 9am and the sunset is allegedly at 420pm. My sister-in-law walking into the sunset with little girls after sledding.
- Alexis

Wigilia Celebration at Sunset

December 24, 2019. Sunset- 4:55 PM.
Oakland, CA.

Many thanks to everyone for this very special Christmas Eve - Great company and food and singing. It was an honor and deep pleasure to share this evening with everyone.

Time of Too Much

Depending where we reside on our little planet, the subtle changes of light along the Equator could pass by unnoticed. The increasing lopsidedness of the presence or absence of light as we move towards the poles affects us more deeply. Yet taking a long view, there is a constant shifting, a mindless balance of planetary cycles with regard to how many hours we spend in the light or dark each day.

The Solstice is the day we sit with “too much”.

Here in the North, we are sitting at the bottom of a well in excessive darkness. Sitting in the black hole for too long.

In the South—scorched Earth under a blazing sun. Too much.

This shift into “too much” doesn’t happen suddenly – it happens gradually and then stalls for a moment. Now.

For the most part of this past week, we’ve been sitting in the extremes with a few seconds of change towards the light or the darkness every day.

Fortunately, everything changes eventually. For better or worse, we move into the next part of the cycle.

For us in the North, a fraction of light longer- illumination, hope? In the South, a fraction of darkness- cooling, refreshing the parched earth.

Nature may know how to balance herself, but she can’t, not with the way we have been treating her.

I can only hope that in some small way, if we can connect with the movement - this cycle of light and dark—if we can use this unfailing, elemental cycle as an opportunity to remember how we are connected to each other and to the planet, that it will remind us to take care.

Maybe we can do something to help the Earth to rebalance herself, to heal from our neglect and abuse. Maybe not. In either case, the planet will endure, with or without us. I’d prefer the first option.

Latkes and the Winter Solstice

December 21, 2019. Sunset- 4:54 PM.
San Francisco, CA.

The Winter Solstice at sunset. Experimenting with different latke recipes for tomorrow night. Thankfully, heading towards longer days with Hanukkah lighting the way. The daylight tomorrow will creep 1 second over the dark line!

I'd Rather be Hibernating

December 21, 2019. Sunrise 7:21 AM.
San Francisco, CA.

Better to let sleeping cats lie. Once I woke this one up for the bell ringing, she was restless and cranky for the rest of the morning. (or was that just me)? Hibernation is better.

In Transit

November 29, 2019. Sunset 4:35 PM.
Hamilton Train Station, Trenton, NJ.

Leaving family and Thanksgiving the next day.

Mercury Transit --- Slo- mo do-si-do

FYI- You may or may not be able to see this (tomorrow- Monday 11/11), but it's a lucid perspective to contemplate for a moment. Large distances and slow movements of three balls in space- one of which we are riding upon. Next opportunity in 2032 :)

Is Standard is the new Normal?

November 3, 2019. Sunrise 6:36 AM.
San Francisco, CA.

YAY! Our first morning back in Standard time. Nice and bright and early. Thank you Norman for the beautiful hand-made Anniversary gift. 22 years and still counting.

going down and falling back

November 2, 2019. Sunset 6:11 PM.
Pacific Grove, CA.

This looks like the “green flash”?! The last sunset of Daylight Savings Time going out with a blast. Good catch, Thea!

going going g o n e ...

November 1, 2019. Sunset 6:12 PM.
Pacific Grove, CA.

Thank you Thea for these last moments of the submerging sun at Pacific Grove at 6:12 precisely

Calm before the Storm

October 31, 2019. Sunset 6:13 PM.
Oakland, CA.

Meanwhile, back at the zoo…. Happy Halloween!

Silent witnesses to the end of the day

October 31, 2019. Sunset 5:49 PM.
Ironwood, MI.

Grabbing onto the last bits of warm light. Thank you Kathy for this quiet moment.

California Burning-- NOT!

October 20, 2019. Sunrise 7:16 AM.
Jenkintown, PA..

From Joe---
Sunrise in Jenkintown courtesy of my neighbor Robin Spilner..

Linda and Lamar on vacation with the ponies!

October 15, 2019. Sunrise 7:09 AM.
Assateague Island, MD.
Thank you for this series!!! I can hear it from here...
-- From Linda Allen


October 14, 2019. Sunset 6:26 PM.
Assateague Island, MD.
Indigenous People's Day -- "The Assateague were an Algonquin people ... who historically lived on the Atlantic coast side of the Delmarva Peninsula"
on Assateague Island.
Where the wild ponies are…

In the year 5779-- shana tova!

Rosh Hashanah 5779. (September 29, 2019).
Sunset 6:58 PM. San Francisco, CA.



Continuing to celebrate my father’s 90th birthday season, we ring down the sun this Rosh Hashanah (in the year 5780?). Counting many years and blessings together.

Even the cat has something to say about the Equilux!

September 27, 2019. Sunrise and Sunset 7:01
San Francisco, CA.



At this latitude (37.7749° N) today is actually the day that is divided into equal parts day and night (unlike the Equinox)- Here the sun rises and sets at 7:01 AM and PM.
You can find out when this happens where you live here

Happy Equinox from Tina

September 23, 2019. Sunset 6:40 PM.
Les Jardins de Sophie.· Saint-Fulgence, QC, Canada.

Centre d'Expérimentation Musicale is with Tina M Pearson and 13 others.
What a beautiful residence than Tina M Pearson, which ended yesterday with this equinox night in Sophie's fabulous gardens!
Here is a little excerpt from the opening, where the people present have ring the bells at sunset!



Belle nuit!
Such a lovely memory performing Brenda Hutchinson's Daily Bell, at the Equinox event with the amazing community in Saguenay. Video by Constantin Monfilliette

Final Sunset of the Summer- 300 Bells 2 Boats

September 22, 2019. Sunset 6:55 PM.
East River, New York.

Thank you fellow Ferry riding sunset bell-ringers for these videos-- This batch is from onboard the Ferry from Governors Island to Brooklyn. There are 2 different styles of Ferry that travel back and forth to the Island. I prefer this style, more relaxed and less crowded, it is set up more for passengers than cars. A lovely crossing in any event.

Brooklyn Crossing- Composite. Thank you Mia!


Rosy River Crossing- Thank you Stephanie!

Happy Equinox!

Bells, horns and snippets of song

September 22, 2019. Sunset 6:55 PM.
East River, New York.

Another Ferry from Governors Island-- this one to Manhattan on 9/22/19 at the last sunset of the summer. This Ferry was designed to accommodate cars more than people, so we were mostly crunched up in the front (with the view).


Thank you Gabe and Audrey for your videos :)

The Equinox Team!

September 22, 2019. Lower Manhattan, NY.


Happy Equinox!
It is done-- we have tipped gently into the darkness. Many thanks to the dailybell team for helping the visitors from Governors Island celebrate the final sunset of the summer, ringing bells across the East River on the final ferries to Manhattan and Brooklyn. Thanks to Carol Parkinson and Harvestworks for their support and to Patrick Allen, Elisabeth Beaird, Ben Buford, Emily, Elise de Jong, Caleb Garling, Audrey Greenfield, Barb Hertel, Ana Léon, Richard Marriott, Maria Mykolenko, Mia Narell, Nicole Roscher, Gabriel Shalom and Norman Tuck for showing up, talking with visitors to the Island and passing out over 300 bells.

From Joe with Love this August!

Thank you, Joe for these photos from various places on and above the earth:
August 2, 2019. Sunset 7:58 PM. Cape Cod, MA.

“My neighbor Dalia caught this sunset on her Cape Cod vacation. Wow!” - Joe


August 23, 2019. Sunset 7:50 PM. “Miami (from Ella)”

August 23, 2019. Sunset 7:54 PM. “San Fran (from Chelsea)”.

August 29, 2019. Sunset at cruising altitude between DEN & ABQ.

I have always enjoyed the challenge of figuring out a) what time it is and b) where we are at this particular moment on an airplane!!
Thanks Joe

One year ago

May 29, 1970 – August 26, 2018

August 26, 2019. Sunset 7:49 PM.
San Francisco, CA.


It’s hard to believe that it’s been one year since our dear friend, Erin Espeland passed away. A scientist and fellow musician, Erin left us way too soon and we miss her deeply.

look Ma no hands!

July 27, 2019. Sunset 8:24 PM.
San Francisco, CA.

Waddling into the sunset with my fancy footwork and footwear. It feels great to be able to do this!
Thanks for the video, Norman.

magical sheep?

July 20, 2019. Sunset 8:36 PM.
Tatra National Park, Poland.


"Hello I’m in the Tatra National Park in southern Poland… it’s gorgeous here I’m so happy to be in the mountains and out of the city".
- from my niece Ginger--
(I hear little bells!!!!) the sheep????

Cycles of love and death

July 13, 2019. Sunset 8:29 PM.
Los Gatos, CA.


Until our dear friend Larry passed away, my friends Larry and Catherine Shaw renewed their wedding vow every 7 years. Their friends Bill and Peri (and several other couples) have recently completed their own 7-year cycles (49), (42), (35), (28) (14). They renewed their vows with a ceremony and a big party bash. As part of the celebration they wanted to include a sunset bell ringing like the one we had for Larry’s memorial gathering.
Congratulations everyone!!!!
(Thank you, Ron for the video)

Thank you Joe!

July 1, 2019. Sunset 7:46 PM.
China.

Beijing- Miyun (in the shadow of the Great Wall)




July 11, 2019. Sunset 8:31 PM.
Jenkintown, PA.

Neighbor Colleen caught THIS shot...nice!
-- Joe P.

Lagging and dragging-- leg and the light

Since mid-July, it looks like we've been losing a minute of light from either end of the day. For us at this latitude the days are 33" shorter since the Solstice. It's creeping along-- Much like walking abilities these days... From China and Poland to Pennsylvania and California.-- I am especially grateful to everyone who shared their sun crossing moments with the dailybell these past few weeks as I have been hobbling around on a broken ankle since the end of June. Thank you everyone for sharing your days and evenings and for your kind wishes. Brenda

Breaking for the Sun

June 24, 2019. Sunset 8:35 PM.
San Francisco, CA.


Ian Saxton, David Samas and I outside of Adobe Books during the break from an exciting evening by Shelley Hirsch, Thea Farhadian, Gino Robair and Thomas Dimuzio.
Thanks David Samas for the video!

Summer Solstice - Chapel of the chiming Chimes!

June 121, 2019. Sunset 8:34 PM.
Oakland, CA.

Garden of Memory Solstice celebration.

Wow!
Many thanks to Joyce Gibrick, Jenny Holland, Marti Mogensen, Lynne Piade, Wendy Reid, Norman Tuck, Betsy Willson, Chien and Zofia Wang And to David Samas and the Cardew Choir and to everyone who participated to create this amazing moment of celebration and observance.
Thank you, for the video snippet! <3 from participant- Douglas Currens

my birthday with a new old bell

June 15, 2019. Sunrise 5:46 AM.
San Francisco, CA.

The backyard on my birthday. Dreary, but such welcome quiet.

Thank you, Diane and Mike for the beautiful old bell!

USPS sunrise driver training

June 15, 2019. Sunrise 5:24 AM.
East New York, NY.


from Barbara Hertel : “I got up at 4:15 am today Saturday so I could get to my driving class at USPS in East New York by 6 am. Gateway National Park is the land in the background. This is from the parking lot at the Brooklyn distribution center.” Barbara is training to be a postal delivery person!!

drab and drizzled

June 14, 2019. Sunset 8:33 PM.
Richmond, CA.

Very Windy!

I ducked out into the parking lot between films at an ongoing series of presentations during the current exhibition “Spirit of Invention III” at the Bridge Storage and ArtSpace. The show runs through July and features the work of Bay Area instrument makers (much of it is interactive), films and performances. Stop by if you are in the Bay Area.

great set of pipes

June 7, 2019. Sunset 8:37 PM.
Mount Tabor, NJ.


Video from Norman Lowrey. And just when you think it's the most it can be, that bird pipes up!!! Norman says it’s a cardinal

We miss you Bill

Sunset June 2, 2019.

Recent FL sunset from my friend Larry...
Bill’s Birthday- 10 years of no birthdays. I can’t imagine my baby brother as an “old man”.

thank you Joe

Sunset on Heaven and Earth

May 11, 2019. Sunset 8:05 PM.
Fort Collins, CO.


Thank you Joe and Ella.

Noisy Spirits at Sunset

May 10, 2019. Sunset 8:07 PM.
Richmond, CA.


Opening evening sunset for Spirit of invention III at the Bridge Storage and ARTSpace in Richmond, CA. Curated by Peter Whitehead, this amazing collection of instruments and scheduled performances will be up and running through the summer. The place itself offers access to a 2200 square foot workspace & art gallery, shared art studio, woodshop, and sewing lab, with the same perks as more conventional coworking spaces. Bridge facilities include a commercial film stage/screening room which doubles as an event venue. It’s a bit out of the way but well worth a visit.
Thank you David Samas for capturing the moment!

closing down

April 25, 2019. Sunset 7:53 PM.
Center for New Music. San Francisco.


Closing of the Bells exhibition at the Center for New Music. Curated by Bart Hopkin and David Samas, the show featured work by Paolo Soleri- Italian architect, designer and inventor of the wind bell with features a sail on the clapper. It was an honor to participate along with other artists from the Bay Area and to end the closing evening with the gentle bell ringing.
Thank you, David for the video.

Passover Sunset and Easter Sunrise

April 19, 2019. Sunset 7:48 PM.
San Francisco, CA.



Counting our Blessings.

April 21, 2019. Sunrise 6:27 AM.
San Francisco, CA.



Praying them forward.

Passover sunset and Easter Sunrise

DB4_19_19. Sunset 7:48 PM.
4_21_19. Sunrise 6:27 AM.
San Francisco, CA.
Counting our blessings. Praying them forward.

Happy Equilux 2019!

March 17, 2019.
San Francisco, CA.

Unless you live at the Equator, the balance of light and dark does not occur on the Equinox. As you move North, it occurs earlier (and v.v.)
At this latitude the sun rose and set at 7:18 and 7:19 on March 17 neatly dividing and balancing the amount of time we spent in the light and the night. So happy Equilux whenever it occurs for you. (Happy St. Patrick’s Day, too).

Daylight Shifty Time

March 8, 2019. Sunset 6:09 PM.
San Francisco, CA.

Whoa- lots of changes in March--

Daylight Savings Time-- looming (3/10).
Welcome?  Longer days? Nope. More light at the end of the day and darker mornings. Offset by a jolt and a jab.

Also-
At this latitude--
3/16 Equilux (equal day and night Sunrise and Sunset 7:30).
Calendar to find your most balanced day of light.
3/20 Equinox 21:58 (9:58 PM) GMT. Time converter for Equinox where you live.

See you on the flip side :)

one more blink of the eye and the day is done!

March 1, 2019. Sunset 6:23 PM.
Casey Key, Florida.

Check this sunset pic from my old friend Larry...someplace in FL (I think)

Thank you Joe for this one-

More Light! Popcorn chicken

February 23, 2019. Sunset 5:56 PM.
San Francisco, CA.


The shortest month is bringing the most light to each day so far. As we plunge towards the Equinox on March 20th, our days (at this latitude) are expanding at a rate of almost 20 minutes per week. Notwithstanding the exaggerated impression of longer days that DST will bring, we will actually be living with almost an hour more sunshine on the Equinox!!

45 sunrises and sunsets every day!!

Every day is a good day when you're floating

Our Trip around the sun

OK—this is a new insight that I am just realizing that you may also enjoy. It’s exciting to me because it’s something about huge planetary relationships that I can grasp on a human scale. It’s a combination of things we know with things we can imagine. See if this makes sense (or if it's even true).

How do we get from the shortest day of the year to the longest? It depends on where we live in relation to the poles and the equator.


Imagine tossing a ball into the air. When it reaches the top of its arc, you can imagine that it’s momentarily motionless. That’s like the Earth at the edges of the ellipse in its orbit. Those are the Solstices—that sense of suspension when the sunrise and sunset times flatten out for days or weeks at a time depending on your latitude—before opening up to earlier sunrises and later sunsets.

If you live at the Equator, you don’t need to toss the ball very far as your daylight doesn’t fluctuate so much throughout the year. Live at the poles where the sun doesn’t rise or set at the extreme arcs? You’d have to throw the ball so hard it would disappear for a moment.

Most of us are grateful for every little bit of increasing light we get these days. And right now – in the Northern Hemisphere, those of us further North have more darkness everyday than those of us living closer to the Equator- BUT!!! BIG CONSOLATION PRIZE. The Northern days are getting lighter much faster- by minutes per day (Iceland) instead of a few seconds per day (Malaysia).

This seemed like cheerful news and worth sharing.

Light Expanding from Both Ends of the Day!

January 13, 2019. Sunrise 7:25 AM.
San Francisco, CA.


Last of 13 days in a row of the latest sunrise time in the yearly cycle! Since 12/30 the sun has risen at 7:25 AM. Tomorrow begins its creep into earlier and earlier daylight- expanding the light part of the day from both ends. YAY!




We are at the end of that little straight line of purple dots.

First of the New Year best hits from Joe

January 7, 2019. Sunrise 7:23 AM.
Philadelphia, PA.


Good morning PHL. (Going to Denver)
-Joe P.


Yo sun watchers! Check my old friend Patti’s pic from her visit to Ft. Myers...Nice!
(No date)

In With the New

January 1, 2019. Midnight and 7:20 AM Sunrise.
Williamsburg, NY.

She’s still waiting.

Happy New Year! Wishing a better year for all of us!