I was outside at 6:30 a.m. writing in my journal when I heard a coyote yipping in the distance. Then more joined in. It got louder, closer and sounded like a pack murdering prey right outside our fence. I’ve never heard anything like it! I can’t run, so I hobbled my way inside the house. It got quiet.
Then I watched coyote after coyote slink along our fence. I couldn’t count how many, because some were hidden behind bushes. I got a photo and video of one coyote jumping on the wall.
I posted this photo — which is blurry because it’s a screen shot of the video — to social media and I got an interesting response.
“Great shot and love your Soleri bell!”
I have never heard of a Soleri bell before and I wasn’t sure what she was talking about.
I googled Soleri and found out that the prior owners had indeed left us a Soleri Wind Bell.
In a nearby town called Paradise Valley, an artist from Italy named Paolo Soleri made bronze and ceramic wind bells in the 1950s and 60s.
Cosanti Originals bronze windbells are made using handcrafted techniques and traditional designs in our Arizona studios for over 65 years. They feature vibrant colors, organic textures, and design motifs that vary from piece to piece or artisan to artisan. Each one is a true “original.” They come in a variety of sizes and complement both indoor and outdoor spaces. Each purchase supports The Cosanti Foundation which promotes sustainability through experimental architecture and agriculture.
What a fun surprise. I read all about something that’s been hanging in our yard for years that I knew nothing about. When the weather cools down, we will take a trip to Paradise Valley to look at the gallery. The wind bells range in price from a little over $100 for recently made ones to close to $8,500 for original vintage ones made by Soleri himself. I’m sure that the prior owners of our house would have taken this Soleri Wind Bell with them if it was an original! But I’m pleased they left this one with us!
What surprises have you had lately?
