Weekend Reflection

While on a walk in Wooster Square I noticed that somewhere attached to the posters announcing the Cherry Blossom Festival someone by the name of Arion had posted "Cherry Blossom Messages".

I took the time to walk around the entire park to read them and photograph some of them. They are great reminders and reflections of what life is all about.

As I turned the corner and down one entire side of the street, with the sunlight reflecting brightly I noticed what I thought was some 'schmutz' on my camera lens. Lo and behold it was not 'schmutz' but my own reflection on the plastic coating of the written reflection. I thought, hmm, perhaps the universe is reflecting back to me that which I need to know right now.

Think about it...pass it on...

For other unique, creative and thoughtful Weekend Reflections see James at Newtown Area Photo.

Blossom Baby Blossom

They just couldn't hold on until April 18th, the official date of the Cherry Blossom Festival. So goes life, right? Birth happens just when it needs to and right on time. Who are we to play with divine mother nature? With the 80 degree fahrenheit plus weather this week the Cherry Blossoms are peaking. Around Wooster Square there are white cherry blossom trees.

Up and down Hughes Place, a side street that runs perpendicular to the Square, is lined with pink cherry blossom trees.

More to come.

A Song in the Air

The weather has been gorgeous around here. On Monday I took a walk downtown and people were out and about. This musician was playing some lovely music. I guess he's collecting money for his world tour!

Someone asked about the Cherry Blossoms....they're out now. Hughes Place is peaking and the park will peak probably by this weekend. The Cherry Blossom Festival is on April 18 - drat that nature! It's absolutely gorgeous here. Photos will be forthcoming over the weekend.

Some Night Photography

I've been playing around with a new tripod and trying my hand at some night photography which I rather like. This is St. Michael's again in Wooster Square with the red buds of one of the trees in the park in the foreground.

Easter

Again, outside of St. Michael's Church on Wooster Square. It was a breezy day and the white shroud flapped in the wind. This photo was taken last Eastertide. A blessed Easter to all Christians.

The Easter Vigil

During this time between Good Friday and Easter Morning many people keep vigil at the 'tomb' of Christ. This is a statue of Mary that sits outside of St. Michael's Church in Wooster Square. I took it at night which is why there are such eery shadows on her face. I can't help but think that as a mother grieving her lost child, Mary grieved deeply.

Good Friday

The Jesus Tree.

The story is told that in September of 1992 a girl and her parents were walking through Wooster Square. Her health and sight was compromised due to a rare illness. She was accustomed to walking with her parents in the park. As they were walking one evening she asked her parents, "I am I crazy or did I just see our Lord in that tree?" Only, it wasn't Jesus it was a gnarled Sycamore tree. Or was it? People came in reverence that year and laid flowers at the tree.

I'm reminded of the old and favorite hymn "Beneath the Cross of Jesus" by Elizabeth C. Clephane 1830-1869.

Beneath the cross of Jesus I fain would take my stand, the shadow of a mighty rock within a weary land; a home within the wilderness, a rest upon the way, from the burning of the noontide heat, and the burden of the day.

Upon that cross of Jesus mine eye at times can see the very dying form of One who suffered there for me; and from my stricken heart with tears two wonders I confess: the wonders of redeeming love and my unworthiness.

I take, O cross, thy shadow for my abiding place; I ask no other sunshine than the sunshine of his face; content to let the world go by, to know no gain nor loss, my sinful self my only shame, my glory all the cross.