April 4, 2020. Sunset 7:36 PM.
San Francisco, CA.
It was warmer this evening than last night, though a bit wet. Our friend Iris AlRoy came by just before Bernie and Mardi showed up to ring down the sun and read the 2nd part of this poem by Christopher Smart for his Cat Jeoffry
Day 14- Ringing the big bell out on the sidewalk for as long as we are sheltering in place.
-BH
from Jubilate Agno
By Christopher Smart 1722-1771
Here we go… Listen to Mardi picking up from last night and reading to end:
For he is an instrument for the children to learn benevolence upon.
For every house is incomplete without him and a blessing is lacking in the spirit.
For the Lord commanded Moses concerning the cats at the departure of the Children of Israel from Egypt.
For every family had one cat at least in the bag.
For the English Cats are the best in Europe.
For he is the cleanest in the use of his forepaws of any quadruped.
For the dexterity of his defence is an instance of the love of God to him exceedingly.
For he is the quickest to his mark of any creature.
For he is tenacious of his point.
For he is a mixture of gravity and waggery.
For he knows that God is his Saviour.
For there is nothing sweeter than his peace when at rest.
For there is nothing brisker than his life when in motion.
For he is of the Lord's poor and so indeed is he called by benevolence perpetually—Poor Jeoffry! poor Jeoffry! the rat has bit thy throat.
For I bless the name of the Lord Jesus that Jeoffry is better.
For the divine spirit comes about his body to sustain it in complete cat.
For his tongue is exceeding pure so that it has in purity what it wants in music.
For he is docile and can learn certain things.
For he can set up with gravity which is patience upon approbation.
For he can fetch and carry, which is patience in employment.
For he can jump over a stick which is patience upon proof positive.
For he can spraggle upon waggle at the word of command.
For he can jump from an eminence into his master's bosom.
For he can catch the cork and toss it again.
For he is hated by the hypocrite and miser.
For the former is afraid of detection.
For the latter refuses the charge.
For he camels his back to bear the first notion of business.
For he is good to think on, if a man would express himself neatly.
For he made a great figure in Egypt for his signal services.
For he killed the Ichneumon-rat very pernicious by land.
For his ears are so acute that they sting again.
For from this proceeds the passing quickness of his attention.
For by stroking of him I have found out electricity.
For I perceived God's light about him both wax and fire.
For the Electrical fire is the spiritual substance, which God sends from heaven to sustain the bodies both of man and beast.
For God has blessed him in the variety of his movements.
For, tho he cannot fly, he is an excellent clamberer.
For his motions upon the face of the earth are more than any other quadruped.
For he can tread to all the measures upon the music.
For he can swim for life.
For he can creep.
Saturday, April 4, 2020
For I will Consider my cat once more... Day 14 sheltering in place
Can you see Canada from here?
April 4, 2020. Sunset 7:34 PM.
Ironwood, MI.
Butter melting into an icy cold Lake Superior. What I thought was snow on the ground by Kathy’s feet is actually waves breaking on the shore of the lake. We’re looking down from the top of a cliff and across to Canada.
- Kathy Roman
Friday, April 3, 2020
For I will consider my Cat. Day 13 sheltering in place
April 3, 2020. Sunset 7:35 PM.
San Francisco, CA.
We dedicate this evening’s 6 feet of separation at sunset to our cat, Chloe, who has been sheltering in place for the past 8 ½ years with only Norman and me for company. I am beginning to understand her crankiness and am astonished by her (un-catlike) forbearance.
Listen to Mardi read part one of this poem by Christopher Smart for his Cat Jeoffry.
Day 13- Ringing the big bell out on the sidewalk for as long as we are sheltering in place.
-BH
from Jubilate Agno
By Christopher Smart 1722-1771
For I will consider my Cat Jeoffry.
For he is the servant of the Living God duly and daily serving him.
For at the first glance of the glory of God in the East he worships in his way.
For this is done by wreathing his body seven times round with elegant quickness.
For then he leaps up to catch the musk, which is the blessing of God upon his prayer.
For he rolls upon prank to work it in.
For having done duty and received blessing he begins to consider himself.
For this he performs in ten degrees.
For first he looks upon his forepaws to see if they are clean.
For secondly he kicks up behind to clear away there.
For thirdly he works it upon stretch with the forepaws extended.
For fourthly he sharpens his paws by wood.
For fifthly he washes himself.
For sixthly he rolls upon wash.
For seventhly he fleas himself, that he may not be interrupted upon the beat.
For eighthly he rubs himself against a post.
For ninthly he looks up for his instructions.
For tenthly he goes in quest of food.
For having consider'd God and himself he will consider his neighbour.
For if he meets another cat he will kiss her in kindness.
For when he takes his prey he plays with it to give it a chance.
For one mouse in seven escapes by his dallying.
For when his day's work is done his business more properly begins.
For he keeps the Lord's watch in the night against the adversary.
For he counteracts the powers of darkness by his electrical skin and glaring eyes.
For he counteracts the Devil, who is death, by brisking about the life.
For in his morning orisons he loves the sun and the sun loves him.
For he is of the tribe of Tiger.
For the Cherub Cat is a term of the Angel Tiger.
For he has the subtlety and hissing of a serpent, which in goodness he suppresses.
For he will not do destruction, if he is well-fed, neither will he spit without provocation.
For he purrs in thankfulness, when God tells him he's a good Cat.
To be continued…
Thursday, April 2, 2020
Six Feet of Separation Ensemble 2 -- Day 12 sheltering in place
April 2, 2020. Sunset 7:34 PM. San Francisco, CA. Norman on bell. Mardi Louisell, readings. Day 12- Ringing the big bell out on the sidewalk for as long as we are sheltering in place. - BH Western wind, when wilt thou blow That the small rain down can rain Christ, that my love were in my arms And I in my bed again!” Jenny Kissed Me- James Henry Leigh Hunt Jenny kissed me when we met, Jumping from the chair she sat in; Time, you thief, who love to get Sweets into your list, put that in! Say I'm weary, say I'm sad, Say that health and wealth have missed me, Say I'm growing old, but add, Jenny kissed me.
Wednesday, April 1, 2020
impulse to hug - Day 11- sheltering in place
April 1, 2020. Sunset 7:33 PM.
San Francisco, CA.
The impulse to hug people is so powerful these days.
Day 11 - Ringing the big bell out on the sidewalk for as long as we are sheltering in place. -BH
right about .... here
April 1, 2020. Sunrise 6:53 AM.
Albuquerque, NM.
Cloudy. I think the sun is right about…here
- Erik Ehn
Tuesday, March 31, 2020
We keep the wall between us as we go - Day 10 sheltering in place
March 31, 2020. Sunset 7:32 PM.
San Francisco, CA.
Mardi and Bernie walked over to join us. Fortunately, the bell is so loud it encourages standing away. After ringing the bell, we listened to Mardi read Robert Frost’s “The Mending Wall” as a man across the street played his guitar quietly on the stairs. (Listen)
Day 10 - Ringing the big bell out on the sidewalk for as long as we are sheltering in place.
Monday, March 30, 2020
Happy Birthday Mom. Day 9 - sheltering in place
March 30, 2020. Sunset 7:31 PM.
San Francisco, CA.
Today would have been my mother’s 87th birthday. Thinking about how different the world was a quarter of a century ago, I’m grateful again, that I was able to be sitting in the bed next to her when she died. That we are no longer allowed to physically comfort, care for or be those we love who are not with us is unexpected and painful. I’ve found this prayer for freedom from suffering particularly helpful today and hope you may find strength and solace in it as well.
May all beings everywhere plagued
with sufferings of body and mind
quickly be freed from their illnesses.
May those frightened cease to be afraid,
and may those bound be free.
May the powerless find power,
and may people think of befriending
one another.
May those who find themselves in trackless,
fearful wilderness--
the children, the aged, the unprotected--
be guarded by beneficent celestials
Day 9 - Ringing the big bell out on the sidewalk for as long as we are sheltering in place.
Sunday, March 29, 2020
And for all this, nature is never spent – Day 8 Shelter in Place
March 29, 2020. Sunset 7:30 PM.
San Francisco, CA.
My friend Mardi often stops by to share a poem at sunset these days. The first evening she read “God’s Grandeur” by Gerard Manley Hopkins. These two lines, in particular reminded me so clearly of the endurance of Nature - vast, timeless, indifferent.
And for all this, nature is never spent;
There lives the dearest freshness deep down things
I welcome the tender optimism of this perspective and would like to share the entire poem here:
The world is charged with the grandeur of God.
It will flame out, like shining from shook foil;
It gathers to a greatness, like the ooze of oil
Crushed. Why do men then now not reck his rod?
Generations have trod, have trod, have trod;
And all is seared with trade; bleared, smeared with toil;
And wears man’s smudge and shares man’s smell: the soil
Is bare now, nor can foot feel, being shod.
And for all this, nature is never spent;
There lives the dearest freshness deep down things;
And though the last lights off the black West went
Oh, morning, at the brown brink eastward, springs—
Because the Holy Ghost over the bent
World broods with warm breast and with ah! bright wings.
Day 8 - Ringing the big bell out on the sidewalk for as long as we are sheltering in place.
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