Last sunrise of the year!

December 31, 2021. Sunrise 7:24 AM. San Francisco, CA.
Out with the old and in with the (better, saner, and your blessing and hope here ______ ) New Year.

Sunset from the East Coast ...

December 29, 2021. Sunset 5:43 PM

from my friend Glenn “Cedar Key on the gulf”
- Joe P

rainrainrainrainrain-- thank you!

December 23, 2021. Sunset 4:55 PM. San Francisco, CA.

Waiting to ring it down in the rain. Everything is so green!

December 23, 2021. Sunrise 7:23 AM

“Sunrise today in Munhall, PA (from my sister Cindy)” - Joe Pokrifka
Thanks Joe- Wintry through and through

Zooming past the shortest day

December 21- 4:53 Berkeley and 4:54 San Francisco, CA.

Turning it around on zoom with friends who observe each Solstice and Equinox with traditional seasonal and spiritual introspection and shared blessings. (Don't blink or you'll miss the sunset moment)
We are on the move...

Beginning of the shortest day

December 21, 2021. Sunrise 7:21 AM. San Francisco, CA.
We're finally here. The Winter Solstice.
Sunrise today at 7:21 AM. The moon was still up. All quiet except for some birds and distant fire engines. Tomorrow will be the beginning of brighter days- at least far as the sun goes.
Many blessings and Happy Solstice!

Prioritizing the photo ops

December 12, 2021. Sunset 4:51 PM. San Francisco, CA.

“We turned the daylight corner here today as the suns sets one minute later than yesterday- YAY! It’s raining today (also YAY!) and cold- so no photo today but yesterday was pretty spectacular!”
Thanks Lynne and Pete

Riding into the melting sunset

December 11, 2021. Sunset 4:50. Oakland, CA.

"On 24 heading towards San Francisco."
- Lynne P.

Sun up or down - somewhere…

December 5, 2021.

“My friend Thom posted this with the caption ‘Beautiful giraffes on safari!’
…when asked where, rise, or set, he replied ‘the internet’…I love it (and Mr Tom)!”
- Joe P.

Happy 6th Night

December 3, 2021. Sunset 4:50 PM. San Francisco, CA.

The 6th night of Hanukkah is brighter than the 5th and tomorrow will be just a bit brighter—Sunset time has also bottomed out! Today is also the 3rd day in a row that the sun is setting at its earliest moment. It will continue to set at the same time for another week before finally opening up again. However, the sun continues to rise later and later each day shortening our days until the Solstice when the day slowly begins to blossom. Coming very soon!!

Have a look at this little graph of the rates of change in sunrise and sunset times- We are sitting the middle of that flat area of dots tracing the sunset on the right. The Winter Solstice is that little red dot in the middle.

I continue to marvel at how unlike an accordion is the collapse and expansion of the daylight. The lopsided approach to the Solstice is far more interesting with one end of the day holding steady at the end of its cycle while the other end of the day finishes in its own time. And we wait.

Sunset in Jenkintown

December 3, 2021. Sunset 4:35 PM. Jenkintown, PA.

“Got this from a neighbor’s FB post: ‘Sunset in Jenkintown’ (12/3/21)”
- Joe P.
Thanks Joe! Your sunset there at 4:35 is about 15 minutes earlier than we have out here-- It will all turn around soon enough!!

A Tail of a Whale

November 26, 2021. Sunrise 7:07 AM. On the open sea, S. Carolina

“Early morning troll” from my cousin Jon by way of Roseanne in SC.
- Joe Pokrifka
Me- Looks like a whale tail in the wake… What a view! Do they have a big fish on that line there???

Geese eclipsing the eclipse

November 18-19, 2021. Partial Lunar Eclipse. Maine.

Photos: Wendy Mae Chambers

I love Riley (the dog)

November 13, 2021. Sunset 5:00. San Francisco, CA. Riley’s “grandfather” accompanied her for the sunset this evening. While he took a bit longer to entice Riley to ring the bell, he was quick with the treats.
Thank you, Gillian for the new little bell that Vangie is ringing from the window upstairs.

Welcome back

November 7, 2021. Sunset 5:04 PM. San Francisco, CA.

First sunset back in Standard Time. Early – yes. But it was pretty nice to wake up to a brighter day this morning instead of the creeping darkness…

“To every thing there is a season, and a time to” adjust the clocks-- RANT

November 6, 2021— End of Daylight Savings time (for now). As part of the growing number of people who would like to remain on a continuous time cycle years-round, I welcome the return to Standard time. Unlike a growing number of people who would like to remain in Daylight Savings Time all year round, I prefer Standard Time.

It’s called Standard Time for a reason: one being that it is an international agreement on a shared time reference. A shared international reference of any kind is a welcome rarity these days. Another point in favor of Standard time is that we are set up (legally) to remain there if we choose (as does Arizona and Alaska already). Each state just has to say they would like to remain there and not switch to Daylight Savings Time. To make DST the new standard would require all states to agree on that—See much chance of that happening? If such a miracle of consensus did take place, then the United States would be at odds with the rest of the world- declaring that our perspective on time itself was now the standard. Yet another opportunity to clearly demonstrate our commitment to free speech and the right to do as we please.

Despite the wistful suggestion that Daylight Savings Time somehow provides more daylight, we know that it doesn’t. It just shifts the same amount of light around. Who prefers more light at the end of a summer day at the expense of waking up to a sunrise at 8:30 on a December morning (at this latitude)? That’s Daylight Savings time. Or we could be satisfied with a lingering twilight in the summer at 8:15 PM or so and wake up to a morning light already in progress (A Standard Time scenario).

Anyway—remember to turn the clocks back before going to bed this evening—See you in the morning!

Venus just left of center

November 4, 2021. Sunset 6:06 PM. El Cerrito, CA.

"new moon sunset. you can see Venus just left of center if you zoom in"
- Rae Diamond
(You can also see the towers of the Golden Gate Bridge in the dip between the two distant land masses) -- One of our latest sunsets for the rest of the year...

Thanks again to Joe's early rising sister

October 24, 2021, Sunrise 7:18 AM.

“Sunrise today in Ocean City, MD courtesy of my sister Cindy… Wow!”
- Joe P.
Wow is right!- Thanks Joe-- this is intense! Looks like a much warmer time of year as well- I notice the person on the beach is bundled up.

one year already gone

October 22, 2021. Sunrise 7:25 AM. San Francisco, CA. Sunrise one year after my dad passed away. A rainy morning blessing in so many ways. I'm ever grateful to everyone who made it possible for me to drive across the country and back in order to be there for my dad's 91st birthday and final sunset.

I miss you, dad.

Windy week on a boat

September 30, 2021. Sunset 6:50 PM. Puget Sound near Hansville, WA.

"We spent the whole week on a boat (20 passengers) visiting various San Juan islands. It was VERY windy at times. Temps mostly around 55, some rain, some sun, lots of hiking and skiff excursions. Fun."
- Joe P

As Close As It’s Going to Get This Year

September 25, 2021. Sunrise 7:00 AM. San Francisco, CA.


Equilux today. However, with the sun setting at 7:01 PM, it's not exactly equal day and night. But it's as close as we'll get here this year. Tomorrow we will have officially tipped towards the darkening side.

Superior Equilux

September 25, 2021. Sunset 6:51 PM. Ironwood, MI.

Sunrise was at 6:51 here also!! Happy Equilux from Lake Superior. Looking Autumnal!
Thank you, Kathy!

Sunrise on the Salish Sea

September 25, 2021. Sunrise 7:01 AM.
Green Bank, Washington —
On the Salish Sea/Puget Sound

“A few moments later”----

It happens so quickly!

Thanks Joe

Happy Autumnal Equinox!

September 22, 2021. Sunset 7:05 PM. Oakland, CA.

Happy Equinox! Ringing down the light with friends after dinner. We are holding onto the darkness 2 – 3 minutes longer these days. Laying low!! ,

Norman’s not in the driveway!

September 22, 2021. Sunset 6:52 PM. Brooklyn, NY.

Sunset on 4th Street in Wiliamsburg
- from Norman

The Equinox misunderstanding

September 22, 2021

Happy Equinox! Though it's not quite equal day and night-- here ---- yet. Why the day isn’t as equal as you might think…a>
Check out timeanddate.com for the Equilux where you live-- look for the day when the sunrise and sunset at the same time (for us at this latitude it will be this coming Friday 9/25)

Shining on

September 18, 2021

Just before the Equinox--End of summer-- Harvest Moon
Look up!

The ship that never came in

September 18, 2021. Sunset 7:12 PM. San Francisco, CA.

The Exploratorium Pier 15— Shimon Attie’s Night Watch was scheduled to pass by the Exploratorium this evening, but it never made it. Despite our disappointment with not actually seeing the barge, it’s an inspiring piece to read about, and the experience is not difficult to imagine. I am sorry the barge didn’t pass by as expected. In any event, we formed a patient and solemn cluster along the edge of the Exploratorium pier while the sun set quietly on our expectations.

FYI- Here’s what we were hoping to see…

Happy New Year 5782!

September 6, 2021. Sunset 7:30 PM. San Francisco, CA. Shana Tovah! Happy Rosh Hashanah 5782!

a blink away

August 27, 2021. Sunset 7:45 PM. El Cerrito, CA.

Here's today's sunset.
- Rae Diamond

August 22 - sea to shining sea

August 22, 2021. Sunset 7:44 PM.

From my friend Lisa, sunset at Wildwood Crest, NJ.
-Joe Pokrifka


August 22, 2021. Sunset 7:52 PM. San Francisco, CA.

Norman noticed it was a Three Dog Night as Riley greets her fan club's newest member. Welcome back to Kiki after a month away at doggie camp boot camp. Everyone was on their best behavior this evening. Masking up again...


August 22, 1985

Today is the 37th anniversary of my grandmother Irene McElhoes' death. I adored her and she loved me unconditionally (well, as long as I stayed on the couch an didn't run around her house and make a mess)-- I am forever grateful to have known what that kind of love felt like and have aspired to pass it along as I go. Thank you, Nan.

Far from the Bastille

August 14, 2021. Just before sunset @ 9:06 PM.

"Arcachon (France) – from Sonia Megías"
Oooo Thank you, Sonia! I especially love that bright little red dot of reflected sunlight on that building across the way.

Rae and Jay's Lucky Day

August 13, 2021. Sunset 8:04 PM. El Cerrito, CA.

"Here's a bit of sunset with Steller's Jay calls for you"--
Rae Diamond
Thanks Rae!
PS Lucky Friday the 13th-- the only one this year!

Riley rings again

August 9, 2021. Sunset 8:09 PM. San Francisco, CA.

She is a pro at this point and is able to ring it with finesse or wild abandon. She is even attracting her own doggie followers.

No More New Jersey

August 3, 2021. Sunset 8:08 PM. NY, NY.

Above ground just in time to catch the sunset. Walking from Penn Station to the 6th Avenue Subway. Just getting back from a few more days in New Jersey.

ARRIVED in Brooklyn- getting off the subway. It went from light to colors in the sky while I meandered underground. NO more New Jersey this trip!

Blue Bunny Flames

August 2, 2021. Sunset 8:12 PM. Yardley, PA.

Staying with my friends while taking care of a few more loose ends for my father, we rang down the sun by the rescued and refurbished fire pit-- Beautiful pieces of blue glass. It kind of looks like a bunny with a mask jumping out of the flames!

the Great Lake Michigan

July 30, 2021. Sunset 9:06 PM.

“Lake Michigan sunset from my cousin Jerry!”
-Joe Pokrifka

Thank you

July 26, 2021. Sunset 8:19 PM. Yardley, PA.
Staying with my dear friends while finishing up the odds and ends for my father's final earthly affairs. Thank you guys for taking such good care of me.

will work for treats

July 19, 2021. Sunset 8:28 PM. San Francisco, CA.

Our neighbor Emily pulled up exactly at sunset this evening, with Riley hanging out the car window. The car had barely stopped moving when Riley came running over, jumped on Norman to say hello, breezed past me and then went right up to the bell and executed a perfect double ring. She knows what she’s doing now and seems to like ringing the bell almost as much as she enjoys her treats. A sunny spot of our day here.

Song of the Day

July 10, 2021. Sunset 8:33 PM. San Francisco, CA.

A motley crew gather from near and far for the sunset this evening. As it was bit windy, I had ducked into the shelter of my neighbors' garage overhang to avoid the gusts.
Unfortunately, they came home while I was there- crouched in front of their doorway. Hence the abrupt ending.
(DAY10 contribution to Song of the Day by Alex Wand)

she's not wrong!

June 30, 2021. Sunset 9:32 PM. Traverse City, Lake Michigan.

“My cousin Arlene says ‘Nothing beats a Lake Michigan sunset!!’…Traverse City this past June. She’s not wrong!”
- Joe Pokrifka

already shrinking ...

June 28, 2021. Sunset 8:35 PM. San Francisco, CA.

We’re still out here every night and just wanted to check in with an update every now and then.

The sunset has settled in at 8:35 PM since the Solstice and will continue do so for another week. Then- like the already creeping sunrise, it will begin to contract our days-- ever so slightly for now.
Welcome to our enthusiastic guests this evening!

so much pinkness

June 23, 2021. Sunset 8:35 PM. San Francisco, CA.

So much pinkness this evening reminded me of the upcoming Strawberry Supermoon rising tomorrow night.

From Gillian Garro in honor of the Summer Solstice 2021

“Congratulations on your big/little bell transition – the season is turning turning!
Here’s an homage to summer by Li-Young Lee.”
From Blossoms
Li-Young Lee
From blossoms comes

this brown paper bag of peaches

we bought from the boy

at the bend in the road where we turned toward 

signs painted Peaches.

From laden boughs, from hands,

from sweet fellowship in the bins,

comes nectar at the roadside, succulent

peaches we devour, dusty skin and all,

comes the familiar dust of summer, dust we eat.

O, to take what we love inside,

to carry within us an orchard, to eat

not only the skin, but the shade,

not only the sugar, but the days, to hold

the fruit in our hands, adore it, then bite into 

the round jubilance of peach.

There are days we live

as if death were nowhere

in the background; from joy to joy
to joy, from wing to wing,

from blossom to blossom to

impossible blossom, to sweet impossible blossom.

June 21, 2021. Sunset 8:34 PM. Mare Island Naval Shipyard, Vallejo.

"Weird sunbeam at Mare Island"
– Elisabeth Beaird and Richard Marriott

Garden of Memory – is CLOSED for covid

June 21, 2021. Sunset 8:35 PM. San Francisco, CA.
The Garden of Memory Solstice celebration was founded by Sarah Cahill in 1995 and is held at the Chapel of the Chimes in Oakland. It’s an amazing event and has become so popular over the years and now because of covid, it is too crowded to safely celebrate together. Every year since 2008, the dailybell has participated in a group sunset bell ringing. In lieu of gathering in person this year, we invite everyone to envision each other as we are scattered around the area, watching the sunset and listening together.

The Garden of Memory always celebrates the Solstice on June 21, which coincides with the summer Solstice in most years. Occasionally, the Solstice shifts- as is the case this year. Tonight’s celebration is intentionally scheduled as a virtual stand in for our sunset bell ringing at the traditional Garden of Memory event.
Happy Solstice—again!!

Giphy Postcard

June 20, 2021. Sunset 7:07 PM. O’ahu. Hawaii “Thinking of you”—Matt and his family ringing in from next door to heaven— early sunset there in Hawaii!

Little neighborhood Solstice party

June 20, 2021. Sunset 8:34 PM. San Francisco, CA.
Quiet celebration of the Summer Solstice - with a few neighbors and friends-
Where’s Matt?

Letter and Invitation to our Neighbors

We delivered little baggies of bells and this invitations to our immediate neighbors in advance of the Solstice this year— The letter:
“Hello neighbors- You have no doubt noticed that Norman and I have been ringing a bell at sunset ever since we began sheltering in place last year! What you may not know is that we have actually been observing every sunrise and sunset since 2008 as part of a dailybell project* (though usually with much quieter little bells). We hope that you have not found this too disruptive to your evening. Perhaps you may have even anticipated this end of the day commemoration.

This weekend is the beginning of summer. As we did last year at this time, we are planning to do a special observation in honor of the Solstice on Sunday, June 20th. We have included a plan (other side) and some bells for anyone who likes this idea (and is short on bells), and we invite you to join us.

Best wishes from your neighbors at 1358 35th Avenue.
Brenda and Norman”

The Invitation:
Celebrate the Summer Solstice – Sunday. June 20th this year.
I’ve distributed little bags of bells to my nearest neighbors and have invited them to join us.
If you like this idea, please join in wherever you are.

Surround the sunrise and/or sunset with a 10-minute observance, keeping in mind other people who have, are or will experience this same sunset sometime today.
For instance, sunset in the Bay Area (sunset 8:35)

8:32 Stop whatever you are doing and step outside or open a window.
Find a comfortable place to sit or stand.
Orient yourself towards the sunset, even if you can't see it.
Think of others elsewhere who may be joining you at this moment.
Ring a bell, sing or hum along.

8:37 - 8:38 Observe a moment of silence.
OPTIONAL: Invite your neighbors to join you.
END
To look up the sunrise or sunset times where you live: https://www.timeanddate.com/

That's a chocolate (birthday) cake I’m holding here--

June 15, 2021. Sunset 8:33 PM. San Francisco, CA.

That's a chocolate cake I’m holding there-- Celebrating the official end of covid restrictions here in California AND-- my birthday. While we have no plans to jump start an evening social life, we do plan on continuing to ring the big bell out here on the sidewalk each night.

However, if something comes up that takes away from here at that moment, we will go (and ring and observe the sunset wherever we are - as we’ve been doing every sunrise and sunset since 2008).

While the exact dates of boundaries of the shutdown and reopening are somewhat arbitrary, we have taken them seriously as meaningful indications and warnings of the threat and virulence of covid here. I only hope that this is the beginning of the end here, and that it will be true for everyone as soon as possible.

Please come by if you are in the neighborhood. Day 461

free to fly (or walk)

June 15, 2021. Sunset 8:33 PM. Vallejo, CA.

“Tonight’s walk on Mare Island” - Elisabeth Beaird and Richard Marriott