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From Darkness, Light

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Against the weathered bark so rough and worn, Where time has carved its stories deep and stark, Sweet blossoms burst like whispers of the dawn— Pale petals bright against the somber dark. The trunk stands scarred by seasons, storms, and years,  Its surface mapped with furrows, splits, and age, Yet from this harsh foundation life appears: Soft flowers, writing hope on winter's page. How beauty finds a way through rugged ground, Where gentle blooms on twisted branches grow— A testament that grace can still be found In places where the hardest winds may blow. The contrast speaks of nature's endless art: From weathered wood springs forth the tender heart.

Evening's Golden Hour

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The sky ignites in amber fire, While trees in copper robes aspire To match the heavens' painted glow— A masterpiece both high and low. Below, the quiet street winds home Through nature's gilded autumn dome, Where every leaf's a burning coal And sunset warms the evening soul. The ordinary world transforms In light that heals and light that warms, As day surrenders to the night In one last burst of golden light.

One World Trade Center in the Clouds

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Nativity Catholic Church

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A shot at the front side of the Nativity Catholic Church (Iglesia Católica Natividad) at 6001 13th St NW, Washington DC 20011, a century-old church in Brightwood neighborhood. "Since 1900, our founding as part of the Archdiocese of Baltimore, prayers have been offered on this holy ground. The first Mass was celebrated in 1901. For generations faithful Catholics of Irish & German decent helped build the campus & community of Nativity and its 5 buidlings in Brightwood--Georgia Ave. NW at Peabody Street. Since the 1960s, the Black Catholic commmunity of Washington has treasured, preserved and maintained our rich Catholic heritage and spirit of charity and brotherhood on this campus.  Saints have walked here, including St. Mother Teresa of Calcutta whose spiritual friend was our former Pastor the late Bishop William Curlin (Charlotte, NC) who was former Auxiliary Bishop of Washington. Thousands of children received instruction and Sacraments here including Nativity Alumn...

National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception

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The Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception is a Roman Catholic minor basilica and national shrine located in Washington, D.C., United States of America. The shrine is the largest Catholic church in the United States and in North America[1], and the tallest habitable building in Washington, D.C. Its construction of Neo-Byzantine architecture began in 1920 with renowned contractor John McShain while the Trinity Dome mosaic marked its completion on December 8, 2017. The basilica is the national and patronal Catholic Church of the United States, honoring the Immaculate Conception as Patroness, accorded by Pope Pius IX in 1847. Pope Pius XI donated a mosaic rendition of the image in 1923. The shrine has merited several Papal visits namely the following: Pope John Paul II raised the National Shrine to the status of Minor Basilica on 12 October 1990. Pope Benedict XVI bestowed a Golden Rose on 16 April 2008. Pope Francis who canonized Saint Junípero Serra,...

New York City Hall

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New York City Hall, the seat of New York City government, is located at the center of City Hall Park in the Civic Center area of Lower Manhattan, between Broadway, Park Row, and Chambers Street. The building is the oldest city hall in the United States that still houses its original governmental functions, such as the office of the Mayor of New York City and the chambers of the New York City Council. While the Mayor's Office is in the building, the staff of thirteen municipal agencies under mayoral control are located in the nearby Manhattan Municipal Building, one of the largest government buildings in the world. Constructed from 1803 to 1812, New York City Hall is a National Historic Landmark and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.  Both its exterior (1966) and interior (1976) are designated New York City landmarks. Source: Wikipedia I took this photo during my December 2017 trip to New York.

First Snow of 2019

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This is not only the first snow of 2019 but also, the first for my family who just moved to the states late summer of 2018.