December 2nd at Point Isabel
We only went to see the low tide -1.8, however
the moon and the sun were in cahoots
with the sea, all leaving in concert,
abandoning the land and us to
shiver on the shore
with nothing but a scarf of tangerine sherbet sky.
We stretched out our arms and threw back our heads and
waltzed with the flavor of the day.
Carol Carlisle © 12/3/13
Early sunset makes December a colorful time of year. The Christmas lights and decorations seem to be joint the sky party. Because of the difference between the clock noon and “solar noon” the earliest sunset of the year is two weeks before winter solstice. It is still the shortest day and the time when the sun stands still and changes directions. I hope you get a chance to get out and enjoy the light show sometimes this month.
Who knows the three different sunset?
Rising and setting times for the Sun In the san FRANCISCO Area
| Length of day | Solar noon | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Date | Sunrise | Sunset | This day | Difference | Time | Altitude | Distance |
| (million mi) | |||||||
| Dec 3, 2013 | 7:09 AM | 4:51 PM | 9h 42m 14s | − 1m 02s | 12:00 Noon | 30.1° | 91.631 |
| Dec 4, 2013 | 7:09 AM | 4:51 PM | 9h 41m 15s | − 59s | 12:00 Noon | 29.9° | 91.617 |
| Dec 5, 2013 | 7:10 AM | 4:51 PM | 9h 40m 18s | − 56s | 12:01 PM | 29.8° | 91.603 |
| Dec 6, 2013 | 7:11 AM | 4:51 PM | 9h 39m 25s | − 53s | 12:01 PM | 29.7° | 91.590 |
| Dec 7, 2013 | 7:12 AM | 4:51 PM | 9h 38m 35s | − 49s | 12:01 PM | 29.6° | 91.577 |
| Dec 8, 2013 | 7:13 AM | 4:51 PM | 9h 37m 48s | − 46s | 12:02 PM | 29.5° | 91.564 |
| Dec 9, 2013 | 7:14 AM | 4:51 PM | 9h 37m 05s | − 43s | 12:02 PM | 29.4° | 91.552 |
I have abandoned myself to the mysteries of sunset at the suggestion of Margo Rody whose word for the day is ABANDON.
Light Words 
what a magical time to be there. No wonder you danced! and no I don’t know the three different sunsets and I’m not looking it up cuz you are gonna cough up the info! lol
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stay tuned for 3 sunsets I guess you knew that. Where we were walking is a dog park since Patches went to Dog Heaven we don’t go there often but lately the pull of light and air has called us out there.
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Lovely poem and photos!
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Ok did you see my latest Header and background? What do you think?
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So great to have the December sky! 🙂
– Jennifer
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More night sky the better 🙂
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Poetry and science at a magical time of year! Thanks for sharing.
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Using both side of my brain I guess 😉
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“nothing but a scarf of tangerine sherbet sky”
I love this and the dance of your words describing the awe of sunset…beautiful, Carol.
I didn’t know the sun stood still and changes directions?
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Poetry is dancing words isn’t it?Solstice means stand still.
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Oh!! So interesting…thank you…I love learning new things.:)
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Mmmmmmm….. beautiful….
3 sunsets?????
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Tomorrow all will be relived!
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Carol… I saw you replied to a comment, but didn’t get to writing back…maybe I dreamed it???? (I seem to be in a bit of a December “bear cave” mode…. 🙂 http://pocketperspectives.wordpress.com/2012/11/18/winter-approaching-bear-wisdom/ (getting ready to repost that one….and …. a favorite of mine: http://www.cathymcclelland.com/enlarge_htm_pages/Magical/bear_meditation.htm )
Did you suggest getting together or did I “dream” that???? 🙂 How about a walk or coffee in Berkeley or nearby? My dashboard doesn’t seem to notify me of responses to comments left to others…so my email is kboyle777@comcast.net Oh, wouldn’t it be wonderful if Joss could waft over from France and join us???? maybe skyppe?
On Sunday, I saw a trailhead for Wildcat Canyon trailhdeads near Bernhard Ave at the top of the Richmond/San Pablo hills…have you ever been there? It looked intriguing…..
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I was just admiring ours a moment ago. Spectacular hues of winter.
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You must be on the other side of the world. It is morning here with sun pouring into my kitchen. All moments to savor.
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I am in southeast England.
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That is very far from Northern California. Are you close to Cornwall? We just saw Tristan Yseult and have been into up all things Cornish including Doc Martin.
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No, I’m on the opposite side of the country from Cornwall. “Doc Martin” is a favourite of mine, also.
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I can’t wait for season 6 to start over here!
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I love that you were the one abandoned by the sun and moon. And, I love the passion [abandonment?] that builds to that final throwing back of heads and dancing.
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I was thinking how both lights were leaving us as I watched this sunset. Your prompt created a form for me to frolic within! Tanx
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