March for Life January 2010, Catholic Presence

The Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, DC rises in the pre-dawn hours on January 22. The Most Reverend Timothy P. Broglio, Archbishop for the Military Services USA, celebrated Mass here.

Three nuns representing Parish Visitors of Mary Immaculate, Monroe NY carry a sign showing Pope Benedict with some children and the words "Hope and Trust in Life."

Images of the Divine Mercy and Our Lady of Guadalupe are carried during the march.

The Knights of Columbus from Chantilly, VA were in attendance.

Members of the American Society for the Defense of Tradition, Family, and Property carry a statue of Our Lady of Fatima.

Next up in this series of blog entries on the March for Life January 2010 will be a feature on outstanding signs and banners. There were definitely a lot to choose from.

March for Life January 2010, Media Presence

A C-SPAN cameraman attended the 2010 March for Life.

FOX News attended the 2010 March for Life.

EWTN attended the 2010 March for Life.

As for the rest of the mainstream media? Well, I did overhear someone in the crowd mention ABC News, but personally, I didn't see any evidence that ABC was present.

March for Life January 2010, We the People

The view outside the window of the Upper Level of the East Building of the Smithsonian National Gallery of Art several hours before the March for Life parade began in Washington, DC on January 22, 2010.

This blog post begins a series of photo journalism articles that I am self-publishing dedicated to this year's March for Life. All of the photos were personally taken by me. The particular theme here is "We the People," based on the human interest angle of who attended the pro-life rally and parade.

This beautifully inspirational young lady and her father carried the message that along with saving the lives of the unborn, the elderly and the handicapped also need protection when it comes to respecting their right to life. Her sign was furnished by The Climb Organization, which you can visit at the following website:

http://www.theclimborganization.com/

A representative of the Eastern Orthodox faith carries a traditional icon. It was announced during the rally that in times past the Orthodox really had not gotten involved in the March for Life, however, they had decided to participate and make themselves known as a presence this year.

An Anarchist Agnostic against Abortion was happy to discuss his views with any and all comers during the parade.

These bagpipers lining the street during the march belong to an orgnization called The American Society for the Defense of Tradition, Family, and Property.

This man was hanging off the Russell Senate Office Building. As participants in the March for Life passed in the street below, he would sometimes bless them with the large wooden crucifix. As I was taking pictures, a priest stopped next to me with a cell phone and made a call to someone to basically report "Cross Man's" presence atop the building and ask what was going on. Sounds like mystery and intrigue to me.

Upcoming blog entries in this series will discuss such topics as media presence, Catholic participation and influence, outstanding signs and banners, and college representation, with a special focus on Notre Dame.

Winter Trees Sing to the Skies

Trees adorned with snow and hoarfrost, blue sky adorned with puffy clouds, sing together in a glorious celebration of winter sunshine.

This was the scene two weeks ago on a Saturday afternoon at Mapleside Farms in Brunswick, Ohio. Such a magical spot there, always offering new surprises whenever you go.

Will be travelling out of town and look forward to catching up with all of your blogs again starting Saturday.

Wizard of Oz Coincidence Alert -- Emerald City Socks

Several weeks ago, I went shopping on Etsy for handmade wool socks. I figured that rather than spend the money on several cheap pair at Walmart, I'd prefer to treat myself to one good pair that were high quality and made with loving care by a real person right here in America rather than by some big impersonal corporation.

Came across Mumma's Comfy Socks in a shop called BellaBlueKnits. Here's a link to her shop: http://www.etsy.com/shop/BellaBlueKnits (The photos in this blog entry come from the BellaBlueKnits Etsy shop.)

The name of the socks sounded a bit strange, but the important thing is they were just what I was looking for. Or so I thought. Actually, they turned out to be even MORE than what I was looking for. Part of the description read: "This pair was knit with a color called Emerald City; a lovely shade of brilliant green."

Well, that settled that! With all the crazy Wizard of Oz coincidences going on in my life, I just HAD to have these socks!

But that's not the end of the story. I wrote the shop owner a little note telling her how the socks were personally meant for me. She wrote back telling me that indeed they were, because she had just gotten through knitting them and had listed them as available in her shop right that very day.

Wow.

Creek with Winterglow

A cold beauty runs its watery course through the ice and snow of wintry banks. This is another fine art photo look at Hemlock Creek in Walton Hills, Ohio.

EcoRover wanted to know where the hemlocks are ... that I cannot say. Maybe they left the forest, like the Ents of Fangorn on the move. EcoRover, meanwhile, can be found here:

http://ecorover.blogspot.com

Winter Walk at Hemlock Creek

A one-lane bridge spans a crisp passage of water through banks soft with snowfall. This was the scene last Friday at the Bedford Reservation, a Cleveland Metropark in Walton Hills, Ohio.

The magic of a winter creek decorated by a fresh-fallen snow.

Hemlock Creek winds its meandering way through the surrounding woods.

The grand finale: A memory of autumn brightens a winter creekside.