Day 49 - The Bird is back

May 9, 2020. Sunset 8:07 PM.
San Francisco, CA.

The bird is back – right on cue- in this tree.
Day 49 - sheltering in place from one end of the street or the other.

Day 48

May 8, 2020. Sunset 8:07 PM.
San Francisco, CA.

Fog! Preview of summer.
Day 48 - sheltering in place from one end of the street or the other. From one season to another, t00? --BH

Day 47

May 7, 2020. Sunset 8:06 PM.
San Francisco, CA.

Grateful for another day. Where's our bird ?Listen?
Day 47 - sheltering in place from one end of the street or the other. --BH

Full moon Sunrise on Thur 7 May 2020—Nancy Beckman

Sunrise 6:05 AM on Thur 7 May 2020. Berkeley, CA.
full moon sunrise from the garden
-- Nancy Beckman and Tom Bickley

5.7.20 Full Moon Sunrise by Rae Diamond

May 7, 2020. Sunrise 6:05 AM PM.
Berkeley, CA.

Bell & voice early in the morning, a few hours before the full moon peaked.
- Rae Diamond

Day 46 *

May 6, 2020. Sunset 8:05 PM.
San Francisco, CA.

Listen to the return of the “Six Feet of Separation Ensemble” with special soloist – that lovely bird—joining the big bell, Chinese gong and Gankogui. I really like that the bird has joined us lately. These guys are good together!
Thanks Norman Tuck, Elisabeth Beaird and Richard Marriott.
Day 46 - sheltering in place from one end of the street or the other.--BH

Blessings from up North

May 6, 2020. Sunset 8:17 PM.
Ironwood, MI.

End of the day’s blessings from my dear friend Kathy Roman up north. (They are blessed with a bit more sunlight up there already).
-- Kathy Roman

Day 45

May 5, 2020. Sunset 8:04 PM.
San Francisco, CA.

Standing by neighbor’s window — Listening to songs of people and birds crisscrossing wires and pink trails.
Day 45 - sheltering in place from one end of the street or the other.-- BH

Day 44

May 4, 2020. Sunset 8:03 PM.
San Francisco, CA.

Past the bell after the dog beyond the birds… the sirens all around.
Day 44 - sheltering in place from one end of the street or the other. --BH

Day 43

May 3, 2020. Sunset 8:02 PM.
San Francisco, CA.

a lot of little things going on- benign and gentle evening
Day 43 - sheltering in place from one end of the street or the other -- BH

Day 42

May 2, 2020. Sunset 8:01 PM.
San Francisco, CA.

Listen as the streetlights spring into action early this evening.
Day 42 - sheltering in place from one end of the street or the other.-- BH

Day 41

May 1, 2020. Sunset 8:00 PM.
San Francisco, CA.

I love this bird who has been joining us lately. Such a pure little song.
Day 41 - Ringing the big bell out on the sidewalk for as long as we are sheltering in place.--BH

rolling along

May 1, 2020. Sunrise 6:15 AM.
Albuquerque, NM.

covid's rolling along in nm, but the sun seems to roll on right over it.
- Erik Ehn

Sunrise & Sunset May 23,2020

Treasure
Nests Alone
Takes eons

Savor the sun
Rise and fall
Fall and rise

Cold clear truth
Echoes up
From the dank well

--
Evangel King

Day 40

April 30, 2020. Sunset 7:59 PM.
San Francisco, CA.

Who were those masked men? Listen from down the street.
Day 40- sheltering in place from one end of the street or the other.-- BH

sun event: 4/30/2020 lulu & the sunset

April 30, 2020. Sunset 7:59 PM.
Berkeley, CA.


7:51 - lulu and the sunset
7:58 - a bit later...with birds
berkeley, ca...(on my porch)
- Wendy Reid

Sunrise, 4/30/20 (and multiple mornings throughout April)

Sunrise, 4/30/20 (and multiple mornings throughout April) 
Chochenyo Ohlone Ancestral Land (AKA Oakland, CA)

 Yay for the expanding Birdsong!
Yay for the birds!
Yay for avian harmonies!
Yay for less cars on the freeway!

 Is this unexpected blessing,
 from this devastating tragedy,
happening because there are more birds now,
or because we can hear them better without freeway sound overload,
or because they feel safer now,
or because I’ve slowed down enough to really listen?

 It doesn’t matter.
Birds!
Birds!
Blessed Birds!
Sing us home.
Eric Kupers

Day 39

April 29, 2020. Sunset 7:58 PM.
San Francisco, CA.

Norman on the big bell. Chloe as window scratcher.
Our evening offering. Here
Day 39 - sheltering in place from one end of the street or the other. --BH

Day 38

April 28, 2020. Sunset 7:57 PM.
San Francisco, CA.

Subdued evening. We say goodbye to Norman's lovely nephew, Alan who passed away earlier in the day.
Day 38 - sheltering in place from one end of the street or the other. --BH

Day 37

April 27, 2020. Sunset 7:57 PM.
San Francisco, CA.

Close bell, distant world.
Listening from behind a bush to get out of the wind.
Day 37 - sheltering in place from one end of the street or the other. --BH

Day 36

April 26, 2020. Sunset 7:56 PM.
San Francisco, CA.

Sunset and Moonrise up there. Musical metal from China, Africa and Pennsylvania down here courtesy of Elisabeth Beaird, Richard Marriott and Norman Tuck. Listen.
Day 36 - sheltering in place from one end of the street or the other.- BH

Sunset poem on my 70th - Evangel King

April 26, 2020. Sunset 7:55 PM.
Berkeley, CA.

Sunset poem on my 70th
This very afternoon
In the heart of bloom
Comes

The sweetest desire
So secret
The garden

6 feet apart
No touch
All honored

We dance
Spinning
Each heart’s desire
As one

This very sunset
Ringing out
Day for Night’s
Stealthy return

Earth our home
Spinning
Brings Day
Brings Sunset
Brings Night
Brings Sunrise
Again, again, again …
-Evangel King

Sunrise, East Providence, Rhode Island

Saturday April 25, 2020, 6:10am

- Alyce Santoro

Day 35

April 25, 2020. Sunset 7:55 PM.
San Francisco, CA.

Listen?
Day 35 - sheltering in place from one end of the street or the other. --BH

Day 34

April 24, 2020. Sunset 7:54 PM.
San Francisco, CA.

Listening.
Day 34 - Ringing the big bell out on the sidewalk for as long as we are sheltering in place. --BH

april 24, sunset 7:53 PM berkeley hills

xoxo-- Thea Farhadian

Day 33

April 23, 2020. Sunset 7:53 PM.
San Francisco, CA.
.
Steady ringing. Windy evening. Listen.
Day 33 - Ringing the big bell out on the sidewalk for as long as we are sheltering in place.-- BH

Day 32

April 22, 2020. Sunset 7:52 PM.
San Francisco, CA.
.
COVID19 sunset dance around the bell. You can guess who shelters in place together.
Day 32 - Ringing the big bell out on the sidewalk for as long as we are sheltering in place. --BH

Day 31

April 21, 2020. Sunset 7:51 PM.
San Francisco, CA.

Listen from this corner.
Day 31 - Ringing the big bell out on the sidewalk for as long as we are sheltering in place. --BH

Day 30

April 20, 2020. Sunset 7:50 PM.
San Francisco, CA.

Gusts. Leaves. Birds. Sirens. Not good. Listen.
Day 30 - Ringing the big bell out on the sidewalk for as long as we are sheltering in place. -- BH

sweet sonic soup

April 19, 2020. Sunset 7:49 PM.
San Francisco, CA.

Serving up a sweet sonic soup this evening. Norman and I had some unexpected company when our friends Iris AlRoy from Bridge Storage and Art Space and Hallie McConlogue joined us with some lovely little bells. Hallie had us follow the sundown with a bit of song— Listen.
a momentary reprieve.
Day 29 - Ringing the big bell out on the sidewalk for as long as we are sheltering in place.-BH

colored air

April 18, 2020. Sunset 7:48 PM.
San Francisco, CA.

Cloudless sunset. Just a transition of colored air. Two bells performed by guest ringers. Listen. From my recording spot down on the corner, I got so excited when I heard another bell join the big bell that I forgot to take a photo. This one is of the twilight.
Thank you, Elisabeth and Richard for joining us this evening!
Day 28 - Ringing the big bell out on the sidewalk for as long as we are sheltering in place. -BH

the other corner

April 17, 2020. Sunset 7:47 PM.
San Francisco, CA.

The other corner. Less windy. Friendly conversation. Listen.
Showing the mic and recorder I've been using to make the recent stereo recordings to Chloe.
Day 27 - Ringing the big bell out on the sidewalk for as long as we are sheltering in place. -BH

Sheltering in the bushes

April 16, 2020. Sunset 7:46 PM.
San Francisco, CA.

Sheltering from the wind. The best spot I've found for recording is crammed between two bushes in front of someone's house. Listen. I'm a lurker - hoping nobody walking by will notice me standing there. The skate boarder was an extra treat this evening.
Day 26 - Ringing the big bell out on the sidewalk for as long as we are sheltering in place. -BH

Would have been tax day

April 15, 2020. Sunset 7:46 PM.
San Francisco, CA.

At the corner with the crows. Listen
Day 25 - Ringing the big bell out on the sidewalk for as long as we are sheltering in place. -BH

Day 24

April 14, 2020. Sunset 7:45 PM.
San Francisco, CA.

Clear sky, air, streets. Radio in a neighbor’s window. Duckling procession of family on bikes heading up the hill.
Day 24 - Ringing the big bell out on the sidewalk for as long as we are sheltering in place. -BH

Listening from the corner

April 13, 2020. Sunset 7:44 PM.
San Francisco, CA.


Light car and foot traffic passing by the corner. (It sounds lovely from here)
Day 23 - Ringing the big bell out on the sidewalk for as long as we are sheltering in place. -BH

The plane and the bell

April 12, 2020. Sunset 7:43 PM.
San Francisco, CA.


Happy Easter to everyone who celebrated today. Simple evening with a long plane and a big bell. Far away. Listen
Day 22 - Ringing the big bell out on the sidewalk for as long as we are sheltering in place. -BH

Easter Sunrise over the Himalayas

Easter day, sun peeps over the Himalayas.

Sunrise near Keylong, Himachal Pradesh, India.
It is 5:56 AM.
Photo taken by my friend Tsunma Kalden.
This is the view from "the cave in the snow".
This is where Jetsunma Tenzin Palmo did her 12-year retreat.
The environment says it all. Quietly.
Peace. Solitude. Love. Meditate.

~ offering from Caterina De Re

Hear ye Hear ye-- THANK YOU!!!

April 11, 2020. Sunset 7:42 PM.
San Francisco, CA.


Connecting to all the noisy commemorations to medical, service and essential workers everywhere. Thank you!
Day 21 - Ringing the big bell out on the sidewalk for as long as we are sheltering in place. -BH
WATCH THIS-- It's wonderful!

Thoughts While Travelling at Night

April 10, 2020. Sunset 7:41 PM.
San Francisco, CA.


I love this corner. You can see the sun from here and the stately pace of the bell gently accompanies the sun from disc to smear.
Day 20 - Ringing the big bell out on the sidewalk for as long as we are sheltering in place. -BH

Mardi joined us this evening reading the poem “Thoughts While Travelling at Night” by Tu Fu. Listen
Light breeze on the fine grass
I stand alone at the mast.
Stars lean on the vast wild plain
Moon bobs in the great river’s spate.
Letters have brought no fame
Office? Too old to obtain.
Drifting, what am I like?
A gull between the earth and sky.

Bells all around

April 9, 2020. Sunset 7:40 PM.
San Francisco, CA.


Distant bells and a perfectly round red ball of a sun. Standing on 3 different corners at the end of our street, listening to a quiet concert of bells-- Norman ringing the big bell from the middle of the block. Richard with his Gankogui double cowbell. An unexpected moment of relief. Listen.
Day 19 - Ringing the big bell out on the sidewalk for as long as we are sheltering in place. -BH

Speaking of the plague--

April 8, 2020. Sunset 7:39 PM.
San Francisco, CA.

Happy Passover! Standing on the corner with Mardi and Bernie nearby (but not too nearby) looking at the same view as yesterday but without the sun.

Listen. Day 18 - Ringing the big bell out on the sidewalk for as long as we are sheltering in place.
From Mardi this evening-- Spanish proverb “How lovely it is to do nothing and then rest after”.
Followed by—“Crows” by Judith Barrington
Crows startle the clouds
with grievances never resolved
and warnings blurted into thin air.

Once in a while, the cries of all those who tried to survive
pour from the funnels of their throats.
No wonder we never really listen.

Like most animals, crows tell the truth:
working hard to penetrate our tiny tubular ears,
they cackle on telephone lines while we watch TV.

Once I did listen to a crow, but even when I had heard
his whole story, there was nothing I could do.
Next, I thought, I'd have to listen to squirrels and coyotes.

I like to think I deal with my share of rotten truths
but I couldn't bear to kneel down in damp grass
and listen to the hedgehog or the mole.

Day 18 - Ringing the big bell out on the sidewalk for as long as we are sheltering in place.

4.7.20 Full Moon Sunset by Rae Diamond

April 7, 2020. Sunset 7:37 PM.
Berkeley, CA.


Listen
Bell and voice as the sun set and the full moon rose on 4/7/2020. Venus was also glowing extra bright just above the western horizon because it was aligned with a star cluster.
-Rae Diamond

2020 April 7 sunset supermoon

Stay-at-home. 

Extended and expanded meditation. 

Suffering. Yet happiness. 

Listen to the birds' glee. 

Springtime bounces on, native plants smile. 

Nature sounding. 

A bark in the distance.

~ Caterina De Re

Adding a beautiful photo from my friend Tsunma Kalden in the Himalayas.

Here the supermoon is setting as the sun rises over the Himalayas from Tayul Gonpa.
This is the monastic community where Tenzin Palmo lived for six years before she entered her 12-year retreat in this area of the Lahaul-Spiti district in the state of Himachal Pradesh, northern India.
May all beings benefit from the nuns' prayers on this powerful day!

Sun down. Moon up.

April 7, 2020. Sunset 7:38 PM.
San Francisco, CA.

Sun down. Moon up. Waiting for the Pink Super moonrise with Elisabeth Beaird on the corner and Norman tolling the bell down the street. It sounds much better from far away.

Day 17- Ringing the big bell out on the sidewalk for as long as we are sheltering in place. -BH
Mardi's poem for the evening-

The Red Wheelbarrow by William Carlos Williams.
so much depends
upon

a red wheel
barrow

glazed with
water

beside the white
chickens

Keeping Quiet

April 7, 2020.
From Andrea Aidells
Here are 2 items I thought you might like.
First is The poem, “Keeping Quiet”, by Pablo Neruda.

2nd is a link to a video and poem.
Video & poem have different titles. "Stop..Listen" "A letter from the virus to Humans" Video made by: Darinka Montico. Written by: Kristin Flyntz. Music: Cold Isolation · David Fesliyan.

Keeping Quiet
Pablo Neruda
Now we will count to twelve
and we will all keep still
for once on the face of the earth,
let’s not speak in any language;
let’s stop for a second,
and not move our arms so much.

It would be an exotic moment
without rush, without engines;
we would all be together
in a sudden strangeness.

Fishermen in the cold sea
would not harm whales
and the man gathering salt
would not look at his hurt hands.

Those who prepare green wars,
wars with gas, wars with fire,
victories with no survivors,
would put on clean clothes
and walk about with their brothers
in the shade, doing nothing.

What I want should not be confused
with total inactivity.
Life is what it is about;
I want no truck with death.

If we were not so single-minded
about keeping our lives moving,
and for once could do nothing,
perhaps a huge silence
might interrupt this sadness
of never understanding ourselves
and of threatening ourselves with death.
Perhaps the earth can teach us
as when everything seems dead
and later proves to be alive.

Now I’ll count up to twelve
and you keep quiet and I will go.

Full moon ringing sunrise

April 7, 2020. Sunrise 6:44 AM.
Berkeley, CA.


I took this short video this morning - missed the moon because it had already slipped behind the trees.
- Nancy Beckman

Now is this song both sung and past

April 6, 2020. Sunset 7:37 PM.
San Francisco, CA.

My Lute, Awake! By Sir Thomas Wyatt. Reading by Mardith Louisell. Many thanks for another day. Day 16- Ringing the big bell out on the sidewalk for as long as we are sheltering in place. -BH
My Lute, Awake! By Sir Thomas Wyatt.
My lute awake! perform the last
Labour that thou and I shall waste,
And end that I have now begun;
For when this song is sung and past,
My lute be still, for I have done.

As to be heard where ear is none,
As lead to grave in marble stone,
My song may pierce her heart as soon;
Should we then sigh or sing or moan?
No, no, my lute, for I have done.

The rocks do not so cruelly
Repulse the waves continually,
As she my suit and affection;
So that I am past remedy,
Whereby my lute and I have done.

Proud of the spoil that thou hast got
Of simple hearts thorough Love's shot,
By whom, unkind, thou hast them won,
Think not he hath his bow forgot,
Although my lute and I have done.

Vengeance shall fall on thy disdain
That makest but game on earnest pain.
Think not alone under the sun
Unquit to cause thy lovers plain,
Although my lute and I have done.

Perchance thee lie wethered and old
The winter nights that are so cold,
Plaining in vain unto the moon;
Thy wishes then dare not be told;
Care then who list, for I have done.

And then may chance thee to repent
The time that thou hast lost and spent
To cause thy lovers sigh and swoon;
Then shalt thou know beauty but lent,
And wish and want as I have done.

Now cease, my lute; this is the last
Labour that thou and I shall waste,
And ended is that we begun.
Now is this song both sung and past:
My lute be still, for I have done.

Look out!!!

Here comes the PINK SUPER MOON

Venture outside on the night of Tuesday, April 7, to catch a glimpse of April’s full Pink Moon. This full Moon—which is a supermoon, the first full Moon of spring, and the Paschal Full Moon—will be visible after sunset and reach peak illumination at 10:35 P.M. EDT.

Vanishing light. Evaporating employment - Day 15

April 5, 2020. Sunset 7:36 PM.
San Francisco, CA.


Our neighbor stepped outside to welcome the warm light at the end of an otherwise a grey day while Norman took a turn at the bell this evening. He works as a recruiter for a company that is likely not going to be recruiting much longer.
Day 15- Ringing the big bell out on the sidewalk for as long as we are sheltering in place -BH

For I will Consider my cat once more... Day 14 sheltering in place

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.

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

Here comes the PINK SUPERMOON!!!

Coming soon-- April 7 and 8

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…

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.

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

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.

Sunset over Providence

March 31, 2020. Sunset 7:00 PM.
Providence, RI.


-Alyce Santoro—

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.

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.