Some images from the J.N. Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge on Sanibel Island, FL; and along the beach in Naples, FL. (Click on any image to see the slideshow.)
Category Archives: Photos
Pre-Inauguration Photos 2013
Bonita Springs — December 2012
Here are a few pictures from my recent trip to Bonita Springs, FL. While I spent much of my time with family, these are mostly pictures of nature and wildlife (with a couple of notable exceptions). Click on any image to start the slideshow.
Monuments in Miniature
The US Botanic Garden is always popular this time of year. In addition to the train exhibit that children love (sorry, no pics of that here), the central area is filled with replicas of DC monuments and landmarks, all made of dried plant material. (Click on any picture to start the slideshow.)
Richard Rohr on Intimacy
Reflections
“One’s biggest secrets and deepest desires are usually revealed to others, and even discovered by ourselves, in the presence of sorrow, failure, or need when we are very vulnerable and when one feels entirely safe in the arms of someone’s love….People who have avoided all intimacy normally do not know who they are at any depth—and cannot tell others who they are.”
Autumn Images
This past week has been unusually warm in DC. Temperatures in the 70’s and even low 80’s have made the colors of October even more brilliant and enjoyable. Here are just a few images from this past week.
Hatred Meets Anger: The Aryan Nation vs Protesters
Yesterday was a gorgeous Fall day here in DC. As I came home from having breakfast with a friend in Arlington, I encountered blocked traffic on 8th St SE, as it was closed off for one of the many Fall festivals DC and cities around the country celebrate. Finally making my way closer to home, I saw Metro Police everywhere. I parked on East Capitol Street, just half a block from my building. When I asked one officer what was going on, he said there was a march shortly. “Who’s marching?” I asked. “The Aryan Nation.”
Police in cars, on bikes, on foot, and on horseback were everywhere. Here are some photos of what happened when the small group of Aryan Nation marchers — I counted less than 10 — were met by a much larger group of protesters who blocked the march at several points along the way. It was an experience of contrasts. The positions of the Aryan National are certainly reprehensible. But the counter protesters, with shouts of “Death to the Nazis…” were equally disturbing. While there was no violence (at least none I saw), it’s hard to describe this sort of event as “peaceful.”
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- East Capitol Street before the march and protest begin.
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- As the Aryan Nation marchers move from Lincoln Park down East Capitol street, counter-protesters block their way.
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- Protesters block the street, arm in arm.
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- Aryan Nation marchers lined up.
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- Metropolitan Police (MPD) officers keep the peace.
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- The march moves forward.
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- The lead Aryan Nation marchers.
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- This guy walked several block, shouting angrily at the Marchers, saying his great grandfather died in a Nazi camp.
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- Protesters meet MPD officers on horseback.
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- One protester sits in the road, causing a temporary delay.
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- Local news reporter Surae Chinn
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- Passing the local Lutheran Church, proclaiming a very different message.
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- Video cameramen from local media
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- Marchers move forward again.
Fort Lauderdale Memories – Labor Day Weekend, 2012
My first-time visit to Fort Lauderdale over Labor Day weekend was an unexpected delight. The weather was perfect, the accommodations charming, but most of all I met and enjoyed the company of some wonderful guys who were similarly “getting away” for the holiday weekend. Most of these pictures are not of people, but of some of the sights along the Intercoastal waterway and especially the beautiful sunrises along the Fort Lauderdale coast. (The water-taxi tour guide pointed out the non-US registries of the many superyachts owned by Americans — I guess patriotism only goes so far when taxes are involved!).
“To love someone …”
“To love someone is to reveal to them their value and and help them discover that they are precious.”
– Jean Vanier
Whom have I loved today? Friend or family, known or unknown — to whom have I reflected back the unconditional love that God has for each of us — unique, precious, holy and always beautiful in the eyes of the Divine?
Silence, Not Pushing, and the Stillness of God
Silence is the necessary space around things that allows them to develop and flourish without my pushing. God takes it from there, and there is not much point in comparing who is better, right, higher or lower, or supposedly saved.
(from Silence, by Richard Rohr)
One of my many Achilles’ heels is the tendency to push, to poke, to analyze, to discuss, to pull-apart a situation until there’s nothing left. Today I pray for the gift of allowing this dimension of Silence to surround all my work, my relationships, and my encounters with others.
As Fr. Rohr says, let us listen to Stillness, the language of God.
Red Rock Canyon, Nevada
Image and Likeness 