Day 168

September 5, 2020. Sunset 7:31 PM. San Francisco, CA.

“no one came. Keep well, Love Norman”
Day 168 Sheltering in place

bells for dessert

September 5, 2020. Sunset 7:30 PM. Ironwood, MI.

Dinner on the porch at sunset. Actually, we’ve eaten all of our meals outside today. Another fine dining experience- wonderful friends and special venue overlooking Lake Superior. Bells for dessert <3

DAY 167 arty

September 4, 2020. Sunset 7:33 PM. San Francisco, CA.

When Norman agreed to take over the evening bell ringing at home, he asked how he was supposed to ring and document at the same time. I said the most important thing was to ring the bell on time and then just snap a photo either before or after. “What should I take a picture of?” I suggested that he include the bell if he could and not to make it too “arty”.
So, this is the photo from this evening, and here’s what he wrote in the email with the photo attached. “Hi. No one showed up. Photo attached. All I can do is ‘arty’, I’m afraid. I did go to art school”.
Day 167 Sheltering in place

a Superior sunset

September 4, 2020. Sunset 7:32. Ironwood, MI. Just made it in time to watch the sun set over Lake Superior with my friend Kathy and her son, Sam. It’s amazing to be standing there in what until now has only been a beautiful looking landscape and to be breathing the air (not smoky), listening to the wind in the very tall birch trees--and looking at that view for real! Hoping to see a few hummingbirds tomorrow.

Double Duty Day

September 3, 2020. Sunset 8:07 PM. Valley City, North Dakota.

Coming down the home stretch of a 1000-mile drive—the final 5 hours! Riding on HWY 94 East, the sun was blasting in the rear-view mirror from the west. It was a no brainer to grab the phone/map/music player and hold it up to the mirror and snap this shot. Then drive for hours into the darkness.

Day 165 Community effort.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

full moon sunrise bell and voice by Rae Diamond

September 1, 2020. Sunrise 6:39 AM. Albany, CA.

Listen to a tender sunrise moment, singing and ringing shortly after waking.
Rae Diamond

harvest moon drops pancake

September 1, 2020. Sunrise 6:39 AM. Albuquerque, NM.

harvest moon drops pancake butter for sun, waxing crescent at august ideas danced venus down for syrup - Erik Ehn

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

A smoky sunset

August 31, 2020. Sunset 7:36 PM Pacific Grove, CA. A smoky sunset

from Thea Farhadian

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

Day 161 bon voyage

August 29, 2020. Sunset 7:42 PM.
San Francisco, CA.

Thank you Bernie, Mardi and Matt for joining us this evening- It was pretty nice – the grey fog MINUS the smoke. I’m looking forward to clearer skies as I make my way across the US. I need to go to New York to see my father-- I am driving and camping out in the backyards of friends and family between here and there— COVID safe as possible.
Norman will continue to hold down the fort here – ringing the big bell on the sidewalk every night. I will also be ringing every sunrise and sunset across the Northern US, sharing them as we share the sky --- (but not with actual daily documentation)😬
Day 161 Sheltering in place from one end of the street to the other. -- BH

On the Road to new Jersey

AUGUST 29, 2020
I'm heading East to be with my father for his 91st Birthday on September 16. He is quite frail at this point and I want to be near him in the event that he needs any help. Since there is no way in hell that I am getting on an airplane, I figured I would take advantage of the road trip to stop and visit friends and family along the way.

I'll be following the northern route through Nevada, then into Montana to see my sister- Onwards to Michigan to visit my friend Kathy who I haven't seen in 20 years since the old Vagabond Vaudeville Days - then onto Ohio to stay with Lucy Chamberlain, my dear friend, Ann's sister. I love everyone along the way here and am looking forward to spending a few days with each of them.

There are a few holes in the itinerary and friends of friends have graciously volunteered their yards, garages and spare rooms for me to stay in overnight I find that overwhelmingly generous and brave these days in the face of covid and the unknown conseuqences of proximity. Many thanks and love to everyone --

I'll be posting along the way.
In the meantime-- Here's a little movie of my father, Hannah and Prince -- a favorite moment of mine-- I hope you enjoy.

Day 160 big bell little bell

August 28, 2020. Sunset 7:43 PM.
San Francisco, CA.

Our cat opened the window sometime in the night (yes she can do that—long story) and we woke up coughing from the smoke this morning. The streetlight is on early as it’s darker than usual at this time. Greetings from both of us!
Day 160 Sheltering in place from one end of the street to the other. -- BH

lulu on a cloudy day

sun event: 8/28/20 7:44 - lulu, clouds, waiting for a sign of sun 7:48 - …still waiting berkeley, ca...on my porch - wendy reid

Day 159 new observer

August 27, 2020. Sunset 7:45 PM.
San Francisco, CA.

Elisabeth and Richard joined us again this evening. We seem to have attracted a new fan – the dog two doors down who usually barks all the time- was watching from his window. He seemed interested and calm for a change. Noisy must be his native tongue.
Day 159 Sheltering in place from one end of the street to the other. -- BH

Day 158 almost ready for Prime Time

August 26, 2020. Sunset 7:46 PM.
San Francisco, CA.

Another dark sunset. This one was brightened up with a few new visitors who brought more bells and gongs. This incarnation of the Six feet of Separation Ensemble actually found their groove AND an ending. It was a joyous moment - (Listen) Thank you guys! Elisabeth Beaird and Ora Shulman on gongs, Richard Marriott and Dan Harder on gankogui and Norman Tuck on the Big Bell (as usual).
Day 158 Sheltering in place from one end of the street to the other. -- BH

Day 157 fancy footwork

August 25, 2020. Sunset 7:48 PM.
San Francisco, CA.



A few hours of lovely, relatively fresh air made lingering outdoors possible. Thank you to Thea from across the Bay and Matt from across the street for joining us this evening. (Nice foot technique)
Day 157 Sheltering in place from one end of the street to the other. -- BH

Day 156 Congratulations!!

August 24, 2020. Sunset 7:49 PM.
San Francisco, CA.

Extra bits of good news today—NO lightning storms today AND my friend Penelope’s niece and her sweetheart got engaged last night. It’s so great to have something wonderful to celebrate. We wish them much happiness going forward. (Did you hear the dove flying by near the end)???
Day 156 Sheltering in place from one end of the street to the other. -- BH

Day 155 it's starting to drizzle

August 23, 2020. Sunset 7:50 PM. San Francisco, CA. You notice how dark it is already? All the streetlights are lit.
And just as we were putting the bell away, it started to drizzle! We’re expecting more lightning strikes tonight- so praying that it helps in advance—
Day 155 Sheltering in place from one end of the street to the other.

Day 154 that rosy glow is hard on the lungs

August 22, 2020. Sunset 7:52 PM.
San Francisco, CA.

A new fire just 20 miles south of here – brought under control this afternoon—the smoke swirling and covering large areas overhead. That rosy glow is hard on the lungs, though the sky is clear enough to see that sliver of new moon. Day 154 Sheltering in place from one end of the street to the other.

Heartbreak for 100 years

August 21, 2020.

The smoke has been shifting all day- Big Basin is an old growth Redwood forest nearby and it has burned all the way from the town of Boulder out to the ocean. There was a major fire there 100 years ago and it came back- It was the first Redwood forest I had ever seen and one of my favorite places to visit since I first arrived in the Bay Area over 40 years ago.
Hopefully it will regenerate, though sadly not in our lifetime — a gift and refuge for future generations.

Day 153 momentary reprieve

August 21, 2020. Sunset 7:53 PM.
San Francisco, CA.

Suddenly – we have an oasis of clear, fresh air—it’s a miraculous little bubble along the coast-- with a sliver of a new moon visible through the wires.
Day 153 Sheltering in place from one end of the street to the other. -- BH

Sunrise by the lake- Alyce

East Providence, RI Sunrise 6am Friday Aug 21, 2020.

Sending a calm scene from yesterday morning along the East Bay Bike Path…
Sent with love!
--Alyce Santoro

Day 152 smoke is not the same grey as fog

August 20, 2020. Sunset 7:55 PM.
San Francisco, CA.

Now the sky is grey from the smoke. That streetlight hardly ever comes on before the sun sets.
Day 152 Sheltering in place from one end of the street to the other.

who knew New Jersey could look so good

August 20, 2020. Sunset 7:46 PM.
Lincoln Park, NJ.

from my friend Ana Léon--- Just missed the sunset but what a great hour to see New Jersey— Thank you Ana!

Latest California Fires information

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Day 151 that beautiful sunset is hard on the lungs

August 19, 2020. Sunset 7:56 PM.
San Francisco, CA.

That lovely smear of color last night was not a good thing. Our deepest gratitude to the latest essential workers fighting these new fires so close to home. Guest bell ringer this evening- Richard Pinegar. Thank you and Elisabeth for trekking over here in the smoky haze this evening.
Day 151 Sheltering in place from one end of the street to the other.

Day 150 more cars less birds

August 18, 2020. Sunset 7:57 PM.
San Francisco, CA.

I love this smear of colors.
Day 150 Sheltering in place from one end of the street to the other.

are trees good listeners?

August 18, 2020

A lovely idea in any event
-- I personally would love to have a conversation with trees. I wonder if they argue or tell jokes. I'll bet they are good listeners.

Day 149 can you hear from there?

August 17, 2020. Sunset 7:59 PM.
San Francisco, CA.

There’s a lot more traffic these days- the distant hum has picked up as well as the local cars passing by. We’re still staying close to home.

Thank you, Mardi and Bernie for capturing the sunset on your way home — I wonder if the bell was still in earshot for you there.
Day 149 Sheltering in place from one end of the street to the other.

Day 148 bell ringing gif!!

August 16, 2020. Sunset 8:00 PM.
San Francisco, CA.

Windy cool and clear. Perpetual ringing... :)
Day 148 Sheltering in place from one end of the street to the other. -- BH

Day 147 not totally hunkering down

August 15, 2020. Sunset 8:01 PM.
San Francisco, CA.

So warm- windows open. Some neighbors stepped outside. We heard someone yelling up the street- "thank you health care workers" and something about the bell ringing. A woman paused with her bike a few feet away while we rang the bell. This bubble held us for a moment - it was almost like holding your breath. Plus it was so warm-- (no winter coat). It’s really nice.
Day 147 Sheltering in place from one end of the street to the other. -- BH

Day 146 Norman's 75th Birthday!

August 14, 2020. Sunset 8:02 PM.
San Francisco, CA.

Norman was born on VJ Day in 1945, and we celebrated his 75th birthday this evening in the unseasonably hot weather and another colorful sunset. We were so excited we forgot to take a photo of our ensemble until after we disbanded and went into the backyard with the gophers. Happy Birthday dear Norman!! Thanks to Elisabeth, Richard and Paul for the band! And thank you to all of Norman’s friends and family for your loving wishes and birthday treats!.
Day 146 Sheltering in place from one end of the street to the other. -- BH

Day 145 color on the sky!!

August 13, 2020. Sunset 8:04 PM.
San Francisco, CA.

Color on the sky — what a treat. And it wasn’t cold either. Almost like waking up in Oz. Better-- no tornado.
Day 145 Sheltering in place from one end of the street to the other. -- BH

Day 144 pretty exciting

August 12, 2020. Sunset 8:05 PM.
San Francisco, CA.

Getting ready. We thought we’d try a different vantage point this evening- Plus a little extra excitement - ringing the bell while preventing it from rolling into the street.
Day 144 Sheltering in place from one end of the street to the other. -- BH

Day 143 headless bell ringer

August 11, 2020. Sunset 8:06 PM.
San Francisco, CA.

Does anyone remember those side by side cartoon panels where you were asked to find 5 differences between the 2 panels?
Captured between the reach and the touch.
Day 143 Sheltering in place from one end of the street to the other. (Norman is missing his head in both pictures)

Day 142 from out of the mist

August 10, 2020. Sunset 8:07 PM.
San Francisco, CA.

It brightened the end of a long, dark day when Mardi emerged out of the fog at the last minute to join us at sunset.
Day 142 Sheltering in place from one end of the street to the other. -- BH

Day 141 gopher food

August 9, 2020. Sunset 8:08 PM.
San Francisco, CA.

Mostly the "garden" is food for the gophers. Taking a moment to admire the survivors.
Day 141 Sheltering in place from one end of the street to the other. -- BH

Day 140 on your mark

August 8, 2020. Sunset 8:10 PM.
San Francisco, CA.

ready

set


going


Day 140 Sheltering in place from one end of the street to the other. -- BH