she's not wrong!

June 30, 2021. Sunset 9:32 PM. Traverse City, Lake Michigan.

“My cousin Arlene says ‘Nothing beats a Lake Michigan sunset!!’…Traverse City this past June. She’s not wrong!”
- Joe Pokrifka

already shrinking ...

June 28, 2021. Sunset 8:35 PM. San Francisco, CA.

We’re still out here every night and just wanted to check in with an update every now and then.

The sunset has settled in at 8:35 PM since the Solstice and will continue do so for another week. Then- like the already creeping sunrise, it will begin to contract our days-- ever so slightly for now.
Welcome to our enthusiastic guests this evening!

so much pinkness

June 23, 2021. Sunset 8:35 PM. San Francisco, CA.

So much pinkness this evening reminded me of the upcoming Strawberry Supermoon rising tomorrow night.

From Gillian Garro in honor of the Summer Solstice 2021

“Congratulations on your big/little bell transition – the season is turning turning!
Here’s an homage to summer by Li-Young Lee.”
From Blossoms
Li-Young Lee
From blossoms comes

this brown paper bag of peaches

we bought from the boy

at the bend in the road where we turned toward 

signs painted Peaches.

From laden boughs, from hands,

from sweet fellowship in the bins,

comes nectar at the roadside, succulent

peaches we devour, dusty skin and all,

comes the familiar dust of summer, dust we eat.

O, to take what we love inside,

to carry within us an orchard, to eat

not only the skin, but the shade,

not only the sugar, but the days, to hold

the fruit in our hands, adore it, then bite into 

the round jubilance of peach.

There are days we live

as if death were nowhere

in the background; from joy to joy
to joy, from wing to wing,

from blossom to blossom to

impossible blossom, to sweet impossible blossom.

June 21, 2021. Sunset 8:34 PM. Mare Island Naval Shipyard, Vallejo.

"Weird sunbeam at Mare Island"
– Elisabeth Beaird and Richard Marriott

Garden of Memory – is CLOSED for covid

June 21, 2021. Sunset 8:35 PM. San Francisco, CA.
The Garden of Memory Solstice celebration was founded by Sarah Cahill in 1995 and is held at the Chapel of the Chimes in Oakland. It’s an amazing event and has become so popular over the years and now because of covid, it is too crowded to safely celebrate together. Every year since 2008, the dailybell has participated in a group sunset bell ringing. In lieu of gathering in person this year, we invite everyone to envision each other as we are scattered around the area, watching the sunset and listening together.

The Garden of Memory always celebrates the Solstice on June 21, which coincides with the summer Solstice in most years. Occasionally, the Solstice shifts- as is the case this year. Tonight’s celebration is intentionally scheduled as a virtual stand in for our sunset bell ringing at the traditional Garden of Memory event.
Happy Solstice—again!!

Giphy Postcard

June 20, 2021. Sunset 7:07 PM. O’ahu. Hawaii “Thinking of you”—Matt and his family ringing in from next door to heaven— early sunset there in Hawaii!

Little neighborhood Solstice party

June 20, 2021. Sunset 8:34 PM. San Francisco, CA.
Quiet celebration of the Summer Solstice - with a few neighbors and friends-
Where’s Matt?

Letter and Invitation to our Neighbors

We delivered little baggies of bells and this invitations to our immediate neighbors in advance of the Solstice this year— The letter:
“Hello neighbors- You have no doubt noticed that Norman and I have been ringing a bell at sunset ever since we began sheltering in place last year! What you may not know is that we have actually been observing every sunrise and sunset since 2008 as part of a dailybell project* (though usually with much quieter little bells). We hope that you have not found this too disruptive to your evening. Perhaps you may have even anticipated this end of the day commemoration.

This weekend is the beginning of summer. As we did last year at this time, we are planning to do a special observation in honor of the Solstice on Sunday, June 20th. We have included a plan (other side) and some bells for anyone who likes this idea (and is short on bells), and we invite you to join us.

Best wishes from your neighbors at 1358 35th Avenue.
Brenda and Norman”

The Invitation:
Celebrate the Summer Solstice – Sunday. June 20th this year.
I’ve distributed little bags of bells to my nearest neighbors and have invited them to join us.
If you like this idea, please join in wherever you are.

Surround the sunrise and/or sunset with a 10-minute observance, keeping in mind other people who have, are or will experience this same sunset sometime today.
For instance, sunset in the Bay Area (sunset 8:35)

8:32 Stop whatever you are doing and step outside or open a window.
Find a comfortable place to sit or stand.
Orient yourself towards the sunset, even if you can't see it.
Think of others elsewhere who may be joining you at this moment.
Ring a bell, sing or hum along.

8:37 - 8:38 Observe a moment of silence.
OPTIONAL: Invite your neighbors to join you.
END
To look up the sunrise or sunset times where you live: https://www.timeanddate.com/

That's a chocolate (birthday) cake I’m holding here--

June 15, 2021. Sunset 8:33 PM. San Francisco, CA.

That's a chocolate cake I’m holding there-- Celebrating the official end of covid restrictions here in California AND-- my birthday. While we have no plans to jump start an evening social life, we do plan on continuing to ring the big bell out here on the sidewalk each night.

However, if something comes up that takes away from here at that moment, we will go (and ring and observe the sunset wherever we are - as we’ve been doing every sunrise and sunset since 2008).

While the exact dates of boundaries of the shutdown and reopening are somewhat arbitrary, we have taken them seriously as meaningful indications and warnings of the threat and virulence of covid here. I only hope that this is the beginning of the end here, and that it will be true for everyone as soon as possible.

Please come by if you are in the neighborhood. Day 461

free to fly (or walk)

June 15, 2021. Sunset 8:33 PM. Vallejo, CA.

“Tonight’s walk on Mare Island” - Elisabeth Beaird and Richard Marriott

COMING SOON—OTHER LOCALES!!

June 14, 2021. Sunset 8:33 PM. San Francisco, CA.

After 460 days, California is lifting all COVID restrictions tomorrow, June 15, 2021!
While it has been a once in a lifetime opportunity to publicly observe the sunset in the same place every day for 460 evenings, I will be glad return to a less physically restrictive practice. As we are able and willing to be away from home at all hours, I will continue to observe every sunrise and sunset (with bells) and invite everyone to do the same as the spirit moves you. If you are in the neighborhood ay sunset, please come by. We will continue to drag the big bell down to the sidewalk in the evenings when we're at home, but no longer take photos of this same scene every day. I have loved our evenings together and am grateful for your company and mutual support this past year.
Good luck and many blessings. Day 460

birthday wishes blowing in

June 14, 2021. Sunset 8:54 PM. Ironwood, MI.

“Happy ‘early’ Birthday Brenda”
- Kathy Roman

Day 459

June 13, 2021. Sunset 8:32 PM. San Francisco, CA.

It's great to be back home-- fog and all especially with such a warm welcome (even our little neighbor who peers out the window next door joined us this evening- he's very quiet)
Day 459 – one more day to go until all restrictions are lifted here.

Sunset and Wedding Bells!

June 12, 2021. Sunset 8:26 PM. South Lake Tahoe, CA. Congratulations Amir and Tara! We all love you and wish you every happiness and good luck together from this day forward.

edge of the world

June 12, 2021. Sunset 8:53 PM. Ironwood MI.

“I love the pic of the kids watching the sunset. Saw them standing there from inside and snuck out to grab the shot.” <- Kathy Roman br/>

just down the hill

June 11, 2021. Sunset 8:31 PM. Ocean Beach, CA.

Ocean Beach was really gorgeous tonight- no wind!
- Elisabeth Beaird and Richard Marriott

rush hour? who is rushing?

June 11, 2021. Sunset 8:25 PM. Falling Leaf Lake, CA.
A little bit lost on the way to South Lake Tahoe after 7 1/2 hours. (The map said it would take 4:00 hours. It didn’t take into account that there might be a few other cars on the road).
It’s lovely and quiet here for our first sunset in 457 days that we aren’t ringing the bell at home.
Tomorrow evening will be sunset with wedding bells.

Day 456 sunsets at home

June 10, 2021. Sunset 8:31 PM. San Francisco, CA.

+0:35 more light today. 10 days to the Solstice and only 4 more minutes of daylight between now and then. Savoring it.
We will be away at sunset for the next 2 days!!! (Wedding bells) If you stop by-- BYOB.
See you here again on Sunday evening.
Day 456 sunsets at home

Day 455

June 9, 2021. Sunset 8:30 PM. San Francisco, CA.
"me, myself and I and the bell".

Norman takes a solo.
just +0:35 more daylight today.
Day 455 Sunsets at home.

Day 454

June 8, 2021.Sunset 8:30 PM. San Francisco, CA.

A fancy bit of color on the ground and all around this evening. (Nice shoes Matt)!
+0:41 of daylight trickles in.
Day 454 sunsets at home

Day 453

June 7, 2021. Sunset 8:29 PM. San Francisco, CA.

Just the three of us (those are Matt’s shoes). Quiet evening.
+ 0:44 daylight today. It takes longer than that to make a piece of toast.
Day 453 sunsets at home

Day 452

June 6, 2021. Sunset 8:29 PM. San Francisco, CA.

Though we all live in the cold windy summer, some of us are still in denial. Even Riley stayed home this evening.
Only +0:47 more daylight today…
Day 452 sunsets at home.

Day 451

June 5, 2021. Sunset 8:28 PM. San Francisco, CA.

A small, but attentive audience this evening.
+ 0:50 daylight trickled in today.

Day 450

June 4, 2021. Sunset 8:28 PM. San Francisco, CA.

This has become a highlight of Riley's day. Mostly I think it's because of the treats. But it's pretty wonderful when she succeeds in ringing the bell.
Still slowing down the increasing bits of daylight. +0:53 today.
Day 450 sunsets at home

Day 449 the dove stayed

June 3, 2021. Sunset 8:27 PM. San Francisco, CA.

The dove stayed after the sun set- hanging out in that last bit of light.
+0:56 Less than a minute more daylight today and counting down until the Solstice when the day will be less than one second longer than the night.
Day 449 sunsets at home

Day 448 Happy Birthday, Bill

June 2, 2021. Sunset 8:26 PM. San Francisco, CA.

Today would have been my brother's 59th birthday-- Hard to imagine him as anything other than a middle-aged man with young children- who are now accomplished young women. We all miss you, Bill.
+0:59 (less than a minute of more light today and counting down...)

+0:59 (less than a minute of more light today and counting down...)
Day 448 sunsets at home

June 1- here and there

June 1, 2021. Sunset 8:26 PM.
Mare Island Naval Shipyard, Vallejo, CA.

“Mare Island moment”
- Elisabeth Beaird and Richard Marriott


San Francisco, CA.

Same moment a few miles away in that distant fog bank.
+1:02 more daylight today...
Day 446 sunsets at home

Memorial day sunsets around the Bay-

May 31, 2021
Sunset 8:25 PM. San Francisco, CA.

Day 446 sunsets at home - (shoes at home, too)

Sunset 8:26 PM. Vallejo, CA.

"4 minutes after sunset on the Napa River walk in downtown Vallejo"
– Elisabeth Beaird and Richard Marriott

Day 445 Meanwhile on the other side of the Bay…

May 30, 2021. Sunset 8:24 PM. San Francisco, CA.

+1:07 of daylight split on either side of the day so that the sun rose and set at the same clocktime today as yesterday.
Approaching the Solstice with caution...
Day 445 sunsets at home

riding off into the sunset

May 30, 2021. Sunset 8:24 PM. Bay Bridge, San Francisco Bay, CA.

"We were driving home and almost on the bridge at 8:24. I have photo from 8:22 to after 8:30. So pretty"
- Lynne Piade

Day 444 priorities

May 29, 2021. Sunset 8:24 PM. San Francisco, CA.

Everyone looks to be waiting for something to happen-- except for Riley who has a more immediate itch to satisfy.
+1:10
Day 444 sunsets at home

Day 443

May 28, 2021. Sunset 8:22 PM. San Francisco, CA.

We live in the middle of a long block, and I happened to glance down to the end of the street between bell tolls. In the distance, I saw a person and a bouncing dog running up the hill. And then they were here. Just in time.
+1:13
Day 443 sunsets at home

Day 442

May 27, 2021. Sunset 8:22 PM. San Francisco, CA.

Post eclipse- quiet evening.
+1:15 still inching into the light.
Day 442 sunsets at home

Merlin overlooking Lake Superior.

May 27, 2021. Sunset 8:41 PM. Ironwood, MI.

"Zen dog. He's meditating".
From Kathy Roman 8:49 PM

Day 441

May 26, 2021. Sunset 8:21 PM. San Francisco, CA.

Thank you Thea for stopping by- Riley likes you! Look at that smile.
Day 441 sunsets at home

Did you see it? Eclipse-- Super Flower Blood Moon

May 26, 2021
Supermoon total eclipse—
IMAGES

Goodnight dear Larry

May 25, 2021.

Goodnight Larry
Our dear friend and colleague from our youth at the Exploratorium passed away today.
Our love and deepest condolences to his wife- Esther, family and friends.
This is a lovely tribute.

Day 440

May 25, 2021. Sunset 8:21 PM. San Francisco, CA.

Riley takes the night off.
+1:20 light for the day
Day 440 sunsets at home