March 11, 2021. One year anniversary since the pandemic was officially declared here and when we were first asked to shelter in place. Each day for the past 13 years, I have been inviting others to witness every sunrise and sunset with me, ringing a bell as a way to mark and share that moment with ever more people. This activity has been my attempt to heighten a sense of awareness of our connection to one another through the regular engagement with a reliable and indisputable fact of common experience— i.e. the turning of the planet through the experience of sunrise and sunset. The pandemic has provided a horrible opportunity for us all to acknowledge this interconnection. It has also shown very clearly the many ways in which our ignorance (willful and otherwise) as well as the lack of identification with all other people has continued to endanger and exacerbate the inequalities and suffering in the lives of most people on the planet. As small, insignificant and ineffective as this daily practice of witnessing the sunrise and sunset may be in the face of such global upheaval and contentiousness, it was still necessary for me to commit to a loud, public and reliable marking of a truly universal experience and perspective during this time. Same time, same place, every day. So, for the past 365 days we have been gathering at the end of the driveway to ring a large, loud bell at sunset every evening. Last August I drove to the East Coast to spend time with my father for his last birthday and his expected final days on this earth. In my absence, my husband, Norman Tuck, continued to drag the bell out every night so that we could maintain the commitment to reliability of SOMETHING. ANYTHING. The tolling of the bell has signified many things at once – commemoration of those who have died as well as acknowledgment of the courage and sacrifice of the many others who made it possible for everyone else to keep going. It has afforded those within hearing range of the bell an opportunity to share the moment in the company of others- sometimes in person with masks and gongs and poetry. In the end, I hope this activity has served as a daily beacon and a source of comfort, signaling and sharing our presence at the end of the day.
ABOUT THESE PHOTOS (March1, 2020- March 11, 2021): Prior to the shelter in place directive in mid- March last year and continuing throughout the rest of the year, many people were actively engaged in the dailybell project. They have contributed photos, drawings and recordings of their sunrises and sunsets. Because of the daily proliferation of documentation from the sidewalk out front of my home, the variety of offerings from other people may be dwarfed. However, because these snippets are from other people in other places doing other things, their appearance shines through the repetitive daily sidewalk photos. Many thanks and much love to everyone for your commitment. It’s been an honor and blessing to be in your company. CONTRIBUTORS: Alex Wand, Alyce Santoro, Ana Léon, Andrea Aidells, Annie Coe, Barbara Held, Barbara Hertel, Brenda Reasoner, Caterina De Re, Connie Kieltyka and Bob Bielecki, Eric Ehn, Eric Kupers, Hannah and Ginger Hutchinson, Iris Alroy, Joe Pokrifka, Kathy Kennedy and Daniel Mace, Kathy Roman, Kattt Atchley, Linda and Lamar Allen, Lynne Piade, Maria Mykolenko, Mike Freer, Miriam Jacobs, Nancy Beckman, Rae Diamond, Sherri Wood, Sonia Megías, Sonya Verma, Thea Farhadian, Tom Bickley, Evangel King, Wendy Reid and lulu SIDEWALK CREW: Bernie Lubell, Mardith Louisell, Matt Garrett and family, Elisabeth Beaird, Richard Marriott, Beth Custer, Federico Cusigch, Steve Mobia, nearby neighbors and passersby.Links of Interest
- Farmers Almanac
- sunrise and sunset look up times
- 22-year Solar Magnetic Cycle
- dailybell Facebook page
- Brenda's website
- Equinox vs Equilux- ever wonder?
- Spring Equinox info
- Autumn Equinox info
- Solstice audio recordings from around the world
- FAQ's about the Earth's Rotation
- Ask an Astrophysicist
- Huna Wisdom
- environmental awareness ringing endorsement
- December Sun Watchers AUDIO ARCHIVE
- Daily Radio - December Sun Watching Schedule
- Baylink Bus Schedules
- Golden Gate Ferry Schedules
- Hiroshima Peace Bridge
- Total Solar Eclipse in China- 8/1/08
- Equinox Information
- Map of California Fires June 2008
- Manhattan Stonehenge 5/28/08 PM
- Summer Solstice Information
- Meridian Interns' Videos
- NY Times article - No Quasimodo... 2/8/08
- Adria recommends this book about El Camino Bells
- Adria's link to info about El Camino Bells
- Anti-Salvation Army?
Thursday, March 11, 2021
Tuesday, November 3, 2020
Seattle Sunrise November 3, 2020
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Brenda Hutchinson
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7:33 PM
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Tuesday, September 22, 2020
Seattle Sunset 9/20 7:11 PM; Sunrise Equinox 6:30/6:57 AM
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Brenda Hutchinson
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12:00 PM
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Wednesday, September 2, 2020
Day 165 Community effort.
Sunset 7: PM. September 2, 2020. Sunset 7:36 PM San Francisco, CA.
I love seeing friends and neighbors carrying on the tradition while keeping Norman company. The constant bleakness is in such contrast to the places I pass through. It’s weirdly grounding, though. Home. Day 165 Sheltering in place.
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Brenda Hutchinson
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10:29 PM
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Resting off the road
Sunset 7:57 PM. September 2, 2020. Emigrant, MT.
Ringing bells again with Lisa and Will at sunset, just before another delicious meal in the most spectacular venue ever. There was zero wind this evening, so I recorded Will’s bells, while adding a few little tinkly sounds of my own.
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Brenda Hutchinson
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9:21 PM
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Tuesday, September 1, 2020
more fresh air
September 1, 2020. Sunset in North Crescent Bay Park in Laguna Beach at 7:15 from Elisabeth Beaird and Richard Marriott- also seeing the sun for a change.
Looks so nice-- The ocean is a miracle.
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Brenda Hutchinson
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9:40 PM
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Day 164 forlorn
Sunset 7:39 PM. September 1, 2020.
San Francisco, CA.
Cold. Cloudy. Lonely. (such a contrast with this evening in Montana). Sorry Norman.
Day 164 Sheltering in place from one end of the street to the other -- BH
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Brenda Hutchinson
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8:28 PM
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At ease- Emigrant, MT
Sunset 7:58 PM. September 1, 2020. Emigrant, MT.
Staying with my sister Lisa and Will for a few days before hitting the road again. Will made those bells- if it's not too windy tomorrow, I'll record them-- delicate and pure tones. Dingdong- M3 doorbell interval
This was sunset from her front yard. You can't see it, but the Yellowstone River runs down there long before you hit those mountains in the distance.
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Brenda Hutchinson
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8:07 PM
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Monday, August 31, 2020
Day 163 San Francisco. Day 2 Cross Country journey- Idaho
August 31, 2020. Sunsets- 8:39 PM San Francisco/ 8:04 PM
near Pocatello, ID.
It’s so good to see our neighbors from across the street who have been putting up with the bell ringing since 2008—Thank you for keeping Norman company! Hello to Bernie and Mardi, too.
Day 163 Sheltering in place.
I miss our sunsets on the sidewalk. Here is a photo of the Sunset at 8:04 PM from the highway 86 between American Falls and Pocatello ID. Traveled today from Reno- heading to Emigrant, MT to stay with my sister.- BH
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Brenda Hutchinson
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8:30 PM
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Sunday, August 30, 2020
Day 162 Norman takes over
August 30, 2020. Sunset 7:4o PM.
San Francisco, CA.
THANK YOU Norman for holding down the fort at home, ringing the big bell on the sidewalk with Bernie and Mardi this evening.
Day 162 Sheltering in place from one end of the street to the other.-- BH
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Brenda Hutchinson
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7:32 PM
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