This morning I happily went outside early - took my morning walk before spending the entire day inside at my writer's conference. I wasn't expecting to freeze in DC! I walked briskly down 9th Street toward Pennsylvania Avenue, without my dogs, without a plan, looking for inspiration, hoping to be moved and delighted by some unexpected city scene.

I discovered my surprises along the exterior walls of the Justice Department building. I walked four blocks of all four sides. Startlingly, cherry blossoms were in bloom in trees in front of windows! The guard told me this has been happening every February for years.

At the entrance you can read these words:

The Place of Justice is a Hallowed Place.

Tonight, arranging my photos here, reflecting on social justice, I find this moving poem, "a letter to my transgender daughter," by Rebecca Foust, and share this excerpt (or read the entire poem here):

All photos and text copyright Kelly DuMar 2017