Walk

Ruth & I went for a walk at Lake Fairfax Park in Virginia.

Quiet mysteries. Winter grace.

Care Concern & Comfort

This caring mentor reached out to a young girl in her program. I was touched by her sensitivity, and the real, hard-earned trust the child has for her.

I was documenting an empowerment group for pre-teen and adolescent girls who come from troubled home environments in Columbia, South Carolina.

Assignment in Albuquerque

I was sent to New Mexico to document a teen sexual-health peer counseling program in the South Valley, an impoverished but vital Latino and Native American area of the city. I was moved by the warm people, their struggle and joys, the pervasivenes and depth of the unique local culture, and the transfixing light.

YHGG

I was visited by my wonderful and talented friend, Danielle Probst.

We made some pictures together.

Perhaps this one reveals something of her depth and beauty.

DCJCC Jewish Volunteers D25 2007

Each year the DC Jewish Community Center organizes a massive community-wide volunteer effort at Christmas to reach out to the city's neediest citizens.
I have been covering it (pro-bono) since at least 1994.

These photos are from the Community For Creative Non-Violence (CCNV), Change Inc, DC Central Kitchen, Miriam's Kitchen, and the DCJCC's blood drive.

Autumn observed closely

A selection of the thirty-five interesting fallen leaves that I collected recently on my walks in Glencarlyn Park.

Color spectrum surprise

Portrait of a young woman

Healing the world; one life at a time

I was privileged to document a surgery team, working to repair the birth defect of an infant.

Dead baby snake and 'Hippie Cheerleader'

Two recent images. The mortal coil of the serpent was discovered in Ruth's yard, the other being was observed alive and well, spreading cheer and harmless minor confusion at the Takoma Park (MD) Folk Festival.

Holy Holy Holy/Kadosh Kadosh Kadosh, Adonai tziva'ot, melo kol ha'aretz k'vodo/Lord, the whole world is filled with your glory

DeOnte' Rawlings's Shrine

This one got to me.

DeOnte' Rawlings, 14 years old, was shot and killed last week by an off-duty Washington, DC police officer, James Haskel. DeOnte' allegedly had stolen Mr. Haskel's personal minibike, and fired a gun at the officer's car when confronted. Haskel repeatedly returned fire, killing the boy. Witnesses gave a variety of contradictory reports. There is a bullet hole in Officer Haskel's vehicle, but DeOnte's alleged weapon has not been found as of yet.

To say the least, the neighborhood was upset. The officer is on leave, and DC Mayor Fenty and Police Chief Lanier are promising a thorough investigation.

Fourteen...

This shrine, in the alley where DeOnte' was killed, is no more than fifty yards from the shrine for little Destiny Walker. Condon Terrace is a very rough place to live... or die.

After a quiet conversation about the recent sad events, I wished peace to the women whose home is next to the shrine.

Zion Destiny Walker, and two more Washington Monuments

Zion Destiny Walker, not yet three years old, was beaten to death last month by her mother's boyfriend. I met her uncle by the shrine. He explained the terrible facts gently, with quiet grief in his voice. We spoke of the horrible mistake, the tear in the soul, the pitiful waste, that such violence brings about.

I ran into my old friend Marcus next to the dumpster graffiti memorial for two young men. He told me in his neigborhood, about one guy a year still gets killed. Thank goodness Marcus is doing well, positive, working, and rapping with his hip-hop and go-go crew, The Committee. We had a very meaningful conversation.

The headless and choked teddy bears at the other shrine...

All three of these shrines to slaying victims are in the Anacostia section of Washington, DC.

May we all be destined to walk in a better place...