Ring Out Solstice

December 21, 2020. Sunset 6:00 PM. Big Bend, West Texas. The last rays of solstice sun from a sky island in the Big Bend Region of far west Texas.
- Alyce Santoro

Ring Out, Solstice Bells by Jethro Tull:

Now is the solstice of the year
Winter is the glad song that you hear
Seven maids move in seven time
Have the lads up ready in a line
Ring out these bells
Ring out, ring solstice bells
Ring solstice bells
Join together 'neath the mistletoe,
By the holy oak whereon it grows
Seven druids dance in seven time
Sing the song the bells call, loudly chiming
Ring out these bells
Ring out, ring solstice bells
Ring solstice bells
Ring out, ring out the solstice bells
Ring out, ring out the solstice bells
Praise be to the distant sister sun,
Joyful as the silver planets run
Seven maids move in seven time
Sing the song the bells call, loudly chiming
Ring out these bells
Ring out, ring solstice bells
Ring solstice bells
Ring on, ring out
Ring on, ring out
Ring on, ring out
Ring on, ring out

a moment of almost silence

This is the sun descending behind the mountains in far west Texas at 6:14 pm (actual sunset 7:08 pm) on October 31, 2020. "Ringing the tiny bell with thoughts of those departed, including (Brenda’s) dad, my folks, and all those grieving a loved one".
– Alyce Santoro

lighting the home stretch

September 29, 2020. Sunset 7:31 PM. West Texas. After a whirlwind 3-day drive from Providence, Julian and I arrived back at our place in the mountains of far west Texas Tuesday evening September 29. By chance we hit the dirt road 10 miles from home just as the sun was setting…bell-ringing attached! I am going to miss Providence…but it feels really good to be back at our snug little perch.
– Alyce Santoro