a glimpse of the future

January 27, 2022. Sunset 5:28 PM. El Cerrito, CA.

"Looking across the SF Bay from El Cerrito."
- Rae Diamond
(the sun sets one minute later over the Pacific Ocean- just 14 miles away)

we choose Riley

January 18, 2022. Sunset 5:18 PM. San Francisco, CA.

You can just tell that this is a beauty, and we'd be able to see it in all its glory if we walked to the end of the block. But then we would miss Riley.

...and she would miss this- Riley is our most enthusiastic bell ringer. She can hear when the garage door opens and runs to her front door-- Anxious to get out-- mostly for the treats that she knows are on the way.

WOW!!!

January 17, 2022. Sunset 5:16 PM. Berkeley, CA.

Sunset from North Berkeley
- Thea.

Joe learns of Makar Sankranti

January 13, 2022. Sunrise 6:42 AM. Bangladesh.
(stock photo)

Yo Brenda! Just learned about this holiday from some work friends and thought of you…
Makar Sankranti
From Joe- P

Postcard from Joe's cousin

January 11, 2022. Sunrise 7:13 AM. Key West, FL.

"Oh my! Cousin Roseanne posted another stunning shot… this one from Key West." - Joe P

first sunrise of the year from Joe

January 9, 2022. Sunrise 7:22 AM. Phila, PA.

"Dawn in Old City Philadelphia today from my friend Chris…nice!"
– Joe P
I love how the streetlights and the dawn are so similar as night gives way to the morning-- beautiful shot!

will work for treats

January 3, 2022. Sunset 5:03. San Francisco, CA.

Santa Baby Riley contemplates performing in costume

— And she goes for it!

a few blocks and a few minutes away

January 1, 2022. Ocean Beach, San Francisco, CA.

"First post-sunset of 2022! 5:20 PM".
- Elisabeth Beaird and Richard Marriott

so what's new?

January 1, 2022. Sunset 5:01 PM. San Francisco, CA.

new- First sunset of the year and a big welcome to our friends visiting from across the bay.
not new - it's cold out here today-- quick in and out. Too lazy to move the car.
HAPPY NEW YEAR!! off we go...

a most joyful noise

January 1, 2022. New Year!! Midnight. San Francisco. I LOVE this moment when we can hear the year flip over. Happy New Year, much love and blessings to everyone.

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)